CAPTION: The flag of St George flying at half-mast on one of Devon's churches
Devon’s Bishops Pay Tribute to Prince Philip as Churches Remember Him
Churches across Devon have been marking the death of the Duke of Edinburgh by flying their flags at half mast.
Many of them also tolled a muffled bell 99 times at noon on Saturday, one ring for every year of the Duke’s life.
Churches will also be open during the national period of mourning for people to pray or light a candle and lay floral tributes.
A number of special commemorative services are also planned.
Bell ringer Rupert Baker tolls a muffled bell 99 times at St Andrew’s church in Ashburton
The Bishop of Exeter, the Rt Rev’d Robert Atwell, said “The death of the Duke of Edinburgh is a personal loss for Her Majesty the Queen and their family and a great loss for our nation.
“Prince Philip has been at the Queen’s side throughout her reign and we honour his constancy and service.”
The Bishop of Crediton, the Rt Rev’d Jackie Searle, paid tribute to his role creating the Duke of Edinburgh Award, “Amongst his many achievements what stands out for me is the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme.
“It was significant for both of my children and many of their friends, and it has provided opportunity and challenge for young people everywhere, changing lives for the good. It will be a long-lasting and fitting legacy.
“My deepest sympathy and prayers are with her Majesty the Queen and the Royal Family as they mourn their loss and ours.”
“There was a lot of behind the scenes good things that he did that he didn’t want any recognition for.
“He didn’t like to wear his heart on his sleeve.”
The Church of England has opened an online book of condolence for people to sign as an alternative to physical books of condolence in churches and other public buildings, due to coronavirus restrictions.
Churches which decide to have a commemorative display to remember the Duke of Edinburgh will also be able to display a QR code so people can scan it with their phones to contribute to the online book.
A place for floral tributes outside one Devon church
The Duke of Edinburgh first met the Queen while he was a naval cadet at Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth.
The area bishop, the Rt Rev’d Nick McKinnel, Bishop of Plymouth, recalled the time he met Prince Philip at a black tie dinner in Plymouth: “I had my clerical collar on and he said to me, ‘I suppose you are going to be saying grace?’ I said I was and he said ‘I hope it’s a proper grace, I don’t like those made up ones.’ Fortunately I had the grace of Sir Francis Drake already prepared!”
Bishop Nick added “There was a lot of behind the scenes good things that he did that he didn’t want any recognition for.
“He didn’t like to wear his heart on his sleeve.”
The Bishop of Exeter and Annie Jefferies, chair of the House of Laity have been among those paying tribute
Prince Philip is also being mourned by church members across Devon. Annie Jefferies, who as Chair of the House of Laity, represents lay people in the diocese, said “On behalf of all of lay people across the Diocese of Exeter, I would like to extend our deepest sorrow at the news, that HRH Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh had died.
“He was an exceptional man who will be always remembered for his amazing legacy and service to the Queen and this country.”
The commemorative service for Torbay will be held at St Paul’s church, Paignton, at 10am on Thursday 15 April and the Bishop of Crediton will be preaching.
There will also be a service at St Andrew’s, the minster church of Plymouth, led by the Bishop of Plymouth at 3pm on Thursday.
The Bishop of Exeter will be leading Devon County’s commemorative service at Exeter Cathedral on the same day at 4.30pm.
The services are not open to the public because of Covid restrictions but all three of them will be livestreamed so people can still participate.
