Farewell Simon Emmerson

Broadwindsor’s Comrades Hall was full to capacity on Thursday afternoon as family and friends gathered to celebrate the life of Simon Emmerson who died peacefully on 13th March 2023.

The ceremony at Yeovil crematorium had been full to capacity also. Led by Celebrant Philip Carr-Gomm, the Order of Ceremony was full of beautiful words and music:

  • Entry Music
    Peace, Love and Harmonium from Synaethesia,
    Lush Fresh Handmade Sound
  • Words Of Welcome
    Valerie Etienne singing Release.
  • Eulogy
    Paul Emmerson
    Ted Emmerson
  • Jackie Oates singing Lark in the Morning
  • Eulogy
    Adrian Matthews
    Johnny Kalsi
  • N’faly Kouyate plays the kora
  • Eulogy
    Mark Constantine
  • Child Among the Weeds by Lal & Mike Waterson
  • Closing Words & Farewell
    Time for Man to go Home sung by Forest School Camps.

After an exceptional and moving ceremony, family and friends gathered at the Comrades Hall.  Simon’s brother Paul invited those present to share their stories of their encounters with Simon… Without any hesitation, Simon’s mother, Marcia Last – now in her 90’s – was the first to speak and we thank Marcia and the family for their permission to share this amateur recording…


Paul
also gave credit and thanks to Simon’s Obituary, published in The Guardian newspaper – Click HERE.

Throughout the afternoon celebrations continued and a video montage played on the big screen with much memorabilia, predominately shared by Karen, on tables around the Hall.  This included an exclusive book of photographs taken by local resident and photographer, Jamie Dawson which he had published in time to gift Simon shortly before he died.
(Please note: all images below are copyrighted to James Dawson.)

Again with kind permission from Karen and the rest of Simon’s family, please enjoy this amateur recording by Peter Roe of the Imagined Village‘s encore! performance, joined by Billy Bragg, at the Electric Palace, Bridport last summer

 

Yesterday, the Afro Celt Sound System stated on social media, “Thank you Simon for leaving us with the immense magic and wisdom of your music. The New Album OVA (short for Ovate) and the Afro Celt Symbol) will be a continuation of the gift you have left us. We will tour and gig with you and Jo guiding us all the way. We love you and we miss you dearly.

Weldmar Hospicecare

Donations in Simon’s name for Weldmar Hospicecare may be given HERE.

❤ Our thoughts and prayers go out to Karen, Josie, Ted and all the family at this very sad time ❤

We all thank you Simon! Journey on…

❤ Simon Daniel Emmerson, 12.03.1956 – 13.03.2023 ❤


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Simon Emmerson Tribute On Radio 6

Aired yesterday, Gilles Peterson broadcast his tribute to Simon Emmerson on his Radio 6 programme: ‘Joining The Musical Dots: Simon Emmerson In Memory‘.

Available for the rest of April, starting at 1 hour, 36 minutes in – you can listen to it on BBC Sounds HERE.

Details of Simon‘s funeral may be found HERE.

 

❤ Simon Daniel Emmerson, 12.03.1956 – 13.03.2023 ❤


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Simon Emmerson Tribute on Radio 4

Starting at 21 minutes in, today’s broadcast of the Last Word on BBC Radio 4 featured a tribute to Simon Emmerson, whose funeral will take  place on Thursday, 6th April.

To listen, please Click HERE.

❤ Simon Daniel Emmerson, 12.03.1956 – 13.03.2023 ❤


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Funeral Arrangements For Simon Emmerson

Bandleader, composer, multi-instrumentalist, producer and DJ whose interests ranged from rock, jazz, funk, soul and British folk to musical styles from Africa, Latin America and Asia; our village resident, our friend, Simon Emmersons funeral will take place on Thursday, 6th April. Simon died peacefully on on Monday, 13th March.

‘There will be a live webcast shown in the Comrades Hall beginning at 12 noon. There is no dress code and those who wish to pay their respects to Simon are warmly welcome.

A pay bar will be available with all profits going to the White Lion community pub.

Warm wishes from Karen, Ted and Josie.’

  • Simon’s Obituary, published in The Guardian newspaper – Click HERE.
  • Photo credit: Mark Bennett

❤ Simon Daniel Emmerson, 12.03.1956 – 13.03.2023 ❤


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Tributes Pour In For Simon Emmerson

Village resident, exceptional musician and friend Simon Emmerson peacefully passed away at Weldmar’s Hospice on Monday, 13th March after living with cancer for several years.

The photograph, taken by Mark Bennett shows Simon on the right with Johny Kalsi (left) and N’Faly Kouyaté (middle) on stage just before a performance at WOMAD Festival.

Tributes have been pouring in on social media after his band, the Afro Celt Sound System publicly announced Simon‘s passing.:

Simon touched the hearts of millions of people through his music and infinite wisdom. His legacy remains with the amazing people he bought together and they will continue to create the magic of his music with his guidance from above.
We would like to request that our fans, friends and fellow artists to respect the privacy of the family at this difficult time.
There will be plans of a tribute memorial concert later in the year and the details will be released on all platforms.
Thank you and Love and Light to you all.”

Incredibly sad, our thoughts and prayers go to Karen, Ted & Josi .

Afro Celt Sound System

❤ Simon Emmerson (Booth) , 12.03.1956 – 13.03.2023 ❤


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Funeral Arrangements for Julie Steele

Julie Steele‘s funeral service will take place on Friday, 6th January at 2pm in St. John the Baptist church in BroadwindsorJulie requested that everyone please dress with colour 🙂

Julie, who died on Monday, 12th, always had a huge smile for everyone throughout her long struggle with cancer and will be sorely missed in her role as President of the village’s W.I.

Julie‘s service will be followed by her wake at the Comrades Hall.

❤ Julie Steele 21.07.1965– 12.12.2022 ❤

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Farewell To Our Late Queen Elizabeth II

Today, the UK, Commonwealth and the world bid their last farewell to Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II as she has now officially been laid to rest.  Thousands lined the streets to view her coffin as it travelled through London to Windsor.

Vice Chair of Broadwindsor Parish Council, Jacqui Sewell

The procession and funeral was live streamed at the Comrades Hall where the village’s book of condolences was also available which Vice Chair of Broadwindsor Parish Council, Jacqui Sewell can be seen signing in the photograph. Refreshments were served. Those that attended were very appreciative and the young children present behaved extremely well, particularly during the funeral 🙂

As The Queen’s Committal Service came to a close, Her Majesty’s Piper Pipe Major Paul Burns of the Royal Regiment of Scotland played the lament ‘Sleep, dearie, sleep’.

The 11th former monarch to be buried in St. George’s chapel in Windsor Castle, the Queen is now buried alongside her father King George VI, the Queen Mother, her sister Margaret and next to her beloved Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh who died in April 2021.
Learn more of royal burials in St. George’s chapel – Click HERE.

Thank You Your Majesty!
Rest In Peace – God Save the King!

#Broadwindsor,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Drimpton,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#WestDorset,#Dorset,#UK,#HMQueenElizabethII,#PrincePhilip,#Funeral,#KingCharlesIII,#Monarchy,#Loss,#Sadness,#Support,#Grief,#Love,#Respect,#GodSaveTheKing,#BeKind,#BeSafe,#StaySafe

The State Funeral Of Our Queen Elizabeth II – Monday, 19th September 2022

Our Queen is now Lying-in-State in Westminster Hall, London allowing the public to pay their respects.

On the morning of Monday 19th September, the Lying-in-State will end and the Coffin will be taken in Procession from the Palace of Westminster to Westminster Abbey, where the State Funeral Service will take place at 11.00 hrs. BST.

Her Majesty’s State funeral will be streamed to the big screen at the Comrades Hall on Monday, 19th September 2022.

Doors will open at 10am. All are welcome.

Following the State Funeral, the Coffin will travel in Procession from Westminster Abbey to Wellington Arch. From Wellington Arch, the Coffin will travel to Windsor and once there, the State Hearse will travel in Procession to St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle via the Long Walk.
A Committal Service will then take place in St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.

The streaming will continue until 12.30pm.

Non-alcoholic refreshments will be available. You are also welcome to bring your own refreshments along.

The Book of Condolences which is currently in our church, will be available for those who would like the opportunity to contribute.


King Charles III
and his siblings took part in the Vigil of the Princes on Monday, 12th September at St. Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh, Scotland after being driven down from Balmoral in Aberdeenshire accompanied by Princess Anne.
First occurring with King George V in 1936, this was only the third Vigil of Princes in recorded history. The Princess Royal became the first woman ever to stand guard at a Vigil of the Princes. They all stood vigil for a second time at Westminster Abbey on Wednesday, 14th.

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Vice Chairman Jacqui Sewell Reads The Proclamation

This afternoon at 3.30pm, Vice Chairman of Broadwindsor Parish Group Council, Jacqui Sewell, read out the Proclamation of King Charles III.

The fact that the signs on the photograph state ‘Monarchs Way‘ appears to have an additional significance!

FORM OF PROCLAMATION FOR PROCLAIMING THE
NEW SOVEREIGN
IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

Whereas it has pleased Almighty God to call to His Mercy our late Sovereign Lady Queen Elizabeth the Second of Blessed and Glorious Memory, by whose Decease the Crown of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is solely and rightfully come to The Prince Charles Philip Arthur George: We, therefore, the Lords Spiritual and Temporal of this Realm and Members of the House of Commons, together with other members of Her late Majesty’s Privy Council and representatives of the Realms and Territories, Aldermen and Citizens of London, and others, do now hereby with one voice and Consent of Tongue and Heart publish and proclaim that The Prince Charles Philip Arthur George is now, by the Death of our late Sovereign of Happy Memory, become our only lawful and rightful Liege Lord Charles the Third, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of His other Realms and Territories, King, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith, to whom we do acknowledge all Faith and Obedience with humble Affection; beseeching God by whom Kings and Queens do reign to bless His Majesty with long and happy Years to reign over us.
Given at St. James’s Palace this tenth day of September in the year of Our
Lord two thousand and twenty-two.

GOD SAVE THE KING

Thank you to Peter Roe for the photographs 🙂

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The National Accession Proclamation For King Charles III

The National Accession Proclamation for King Charles III took place earlier today at St. James’s Palace in London.
Following this, a local proclamation ceremony conducted by the High Sheriff of Dorset, Sibyl King in the presence of the Lord-Lieutenant, Angus Campbell, will take place at 1.00pm on Sunday, 11th September on the front steps outside County Hall, Dorchester. Members of the public are welcome to attend. You can arrive from 12:45pm to gather in front of the steps. Councillor Jacqui Sewell will be attending to represent the Grouped Parish.

In Broadwindsor,
the Union Jack flag was raised for the proclamation and once the proclamations have been declared in the four regions of the UK, which is due to be completed at noon tomorrow, flags will be lowered again to half mast until after the state funeral on Monday, 19th September.
A book of condolences is available to sign in our church and opportunities to be in church to pray and light candles.
An official Proclamation for the Grouped Parish will be read out on Sunday, 11th September at 3.30pm in Bernards’ Place, Broadwindsor (Comrades Hall if raining).
Please do come along, everyone is welcome.

FORM OF PROCLAMATION FOR PROCLAIMING THE
NEW SOVEREIGN
IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

Whereas it has pleased Almighty God to call to His Mercy our late Sovereign
Lady Queen Elizabeth the Second of Blessed and Glorious Memory, by whose
Decease the Crown of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is
solely and rightfully come to The Prince Charles Philip Arthur George: We,
therefore, the Lords Spiritual and Temporal of this Realm and Members of the House
of Commons, together with other members of Her late Majesty’s Privy Council and
representatives of the Realms and Territories, Aldermen and Citizens of London, and
others, do now hereby with one voice and Consent of Tongue and Heart publish and
proclaim that The Prince Charles Philip Arthur George is now, by the Death of our
late Sovereign of Happy Memory, become our only lawful and rightful Liege Lord
Charles the Third, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Northern Ireland and of His other Realms and Territories, King, Head of the
Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith, to whom we do acknowledge all Faith and
Obedience with humble Affection; beseeching God by whom Kings and Queens do
reign to bless His Majesty with long and happy Years to reign over us.
Given at St. James’s Palace this tenth day of September in the year of Our
Lord twenty thousand and twenty-two.

GOD SAVE THE KING

#Broadwindsor,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Drimpton,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#Dorset,#Village,#Community,#UK.#Queen,#King,#RoyalFamily,#Death,#QueenElizabethII,#Monarchy,#Accession,#KingCharlesIII,#Loss,#Sadness,#Support,#Thanks,#Grief,#Love,#Respect,#BeKind,#BeSafe,#StaySafe