MEMBERS of the Dursley community gathered today to watch the Queen's funeral and pay their respects together.

Organised by Dursley Town Council and held at the Chantry Centre, it meant the community could come together to share the poignant and moving historic moment.

Ahead of the funeral, a vigil service was held at St James the Great Church yesterday evening and the minute's silence was led by Dursley mayor Symon Ackroyd and deputy mayor Mandy Woodward at the Market Place in Dursley.

Millions watched around the globe as a nation in mourning staged a final goodbye to its cherished longest-serving monarch.

The Queen’s haunting state funeral was unprecedented in scale and grandeur for a sovereign incomparable in duty and service.

Dursley mayor Symon Ackroyd said the Chantry Centre was ‘quiet’ and ‘sombre’ during the service. 

“The whole State Funeral was full of history and British pomp and ceremony. All those present will remember where they watched the funeral.

“The hall was very quiet and sombre, with all feeling their own personal loss from their loved ones and a communal feeling of shared grief for the loss of the Queen. 

“The screening was attended by just under 30 people, some singly, some in small groups.” 

Refreshments were available at the community screening and attendees raised £20 for the 1st Dursley Scout Group. 

A similar community screening event in Dursley will be held in June 2023 for the coronation of King Charles III.