Dozens of riders to form guard of honour at funeral of Chesterfield's Gracie Spinks

Her funeral will take place at Old Whittington Church on Friday, July 23, at noon, followed by a celebration of her life at the Cock & Magpie, Church Street, North, Old Whittington.

Her final ride, in a horse-drawn carriage, will leave Harold Lilleker & Sons’ Whittington Moor funeral home, with the final route to be confirmed at a later date.

Gracie was a keen horse rider and well known in equestrian circles in the area.

The Hasland-based funeral director has now released information for riders wishing to be part of the guard of honour – with Chesterfield FC granting use of its stadium car park and Chesterfield Council usage of Stand Road for those wishing to attend.

The funeral director said: “Please can all members of the equestrian world wishing to form a guard of honour use the arranged parking for horseboxes at the Technique Stadium, Sheffield Road, Whittington Moor.

“We will be leaving our funeral home, opposite the stadium, at 10.50am.

“Please arrive with plenty of time to unload and walk into place.

“We ask the guard of honour to be formed safely on both sides of Whittington Moor High Street, on Sheffield Road, from our funeral home on the corner of Stand Road to Whittington Moor roundabout.”

“Once Gracie has passed, please safely return to the stadium at leave carefully.

“For safety, we advise you not to follow behind across the roundabout – the police road closure will only be in place for Gracie’s final ride to church.”

Police investigation

Drew Lilleker, funeral director, said, although numbers were yet to be confirmed, he thought up to 200 riders could be in attendance – any groups or clubs attending with horses and horseboxes is asked to email [email protected]

Gracie was found injured in a field near Staveley Road, Duckmanton, on June 18, at about 8.40am.

Paramedics attended, but she died at the scene.

Police believe Gracie was killed by a man she knew, who was later found dead.

Derbyshire Constabulary is currently being investigated over contact it had with Gracie before her death.

The force said it had referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct “because we had contact with Gracie earlier this year”.

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