Suffolk New College paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II by hosting a service of remembrance on 14 September 2022.
The occasion saw around a thousand staff and students respectfully unite to mourn the passing of her majesty.
Proceedings took place outside the front of the College based on Rope Walk and began with an introduction from the principal, Viv Gillespie.
Viv thanked the College for coming together to mark this moment and said: “We are here to celebrate the long and successful life of our Queen.”
The College’s chaplain, Linda Pepper, then said a few words and prayers.
Public Services students also played a key role by creating a ceremonial march to pay their respects to Britain’s longest-serving monarch.
Head of this department, Martin Memory reflected on what the Queen meant to him. Martin said; “As a College we wanted to show our respects to the Queen. For myself, our Queen was a constant in an ever-changing world. I’ve been inspired by her sense of duty and work ethic. I was lucky enough to see the Queen at the Trooping the Colour in London and I treasure those memories. Her presence will be greatly missed. I feel proud to have served Queen and country for over 30 years.”
Martin then handed over to four students who read out their thoughts in relation to the late Queen.
Chloe Clarke, 19 from Ipswich is on a level three public services course at Suffolk New College. Chloe said: “We are immensely grateful to the Queen for over 70 years of dedicated service. She was beyond extraordinary and an inspiration to us all.”
Catherine Marshall, 22 from Felixstowe, is also on a level three public services course at Suffolk New College. Catherine said: “The Queen saw the jet age arrive, the birth of electronic computing and the space age, all before the age of 35. She really was Great Britain.”
Giving the Queen’s life some historical context, Christopher Burrell-Aitken, 16, from Kesgrave said: ”She lived for more than a third of the entire age of the United States of America and her first and last Prime Ministers were born 100 years apart.”
Harry Duffett, 16, is on a level two public services course. Commenting after his short speech, the Ipswich resident said: “I served the sea cadets for three years so it meant a lot to say a few words.”