Civic service gives thanks in Chatteris for the Queen's service and that of local volunteers

Purple bunting streamed from the rafters and displays of flowers decorated the windows as Chatteris parish church filled to capacity on Sunday for a civic service of thanksgiving for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.

The service was the culmination of a weekend of celebrations in the town which began on Thursday with the lighting of the beacon by Councillor James Carney outside the church - one of thousands of beacons lit that evening for the Jubilee.

The Salvation Army Band led the first hymn for the service, which included a procession with standards carried by members of the Royal British Legion, Royal British Legion Women's Section, and both Chatteris Guiding and Scouting Associations.

Members of the Chatteris Town council attended and during the service, and mayor Linda Ashley, read the Lesson.

Chatteris 2nd Beavers' leader, Caroline Crane, awarded badges to three children for outstanding service to the community and received applause from the whole congregation.

Chatteris Community Choir with 21 members ably led by director Philip Atkin, performed a ‘A Life Lived with Grace’. At the end of the service, the choir sang the recessional with a rousing rendition of theme song for Invictus, entitled ‘Invincible’.

The Rev Canon Wendy Thomson said: "The service was a wonderful occasion not only to give thanks for our Queen's Jubilee, but to bring the town together to give thanks for all who volunteer."

The vicar's address reflected upon the Queen’s Christian faith using quotations from her Christmas broadcasts as an example for our own acts of service.

Volunteers from various groups, including Chatteris in Bloom, were also thanked for their part in holding together the social fabric in the town.

On Thursday evening the church was full of music when it hosted a free concert by singer Bondy put on by Chatteris Town Council. Bondy had stepped into the breach after the original act - a Queen tribute band - announced they were no longer able to play.

Other festivities in the town included street parties, including one in Church Lane.