The BELLS at St Peter’s Church, Petersfield, rang in sadness for the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Last Friday, at midday for one hour, two of the church’s younger bell ringers had the honour on behalf of the tower of performing the sombre duty of tolling.

They rang the heaviest bell – the muffled 15½ cwt, old tenor bell, dated 1770 – pausing at both handstroke and backstroke.

Flowers were also placed outside St Peter’s Church on behalf of the bell ringers with the inscription: “In memoriam of HM Queen Elizabeth of blessed and glorious memory. Requiescat in Pace.”

St Peter’s will hold a service to commemorate and give thanks for the life of the Queen at 4pm on Sunday.

Later that same day there will be a simple service of Compline at 7.30pm, leading into the national silence at 8pm.