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Gracie Spinks' funeral: Hundreds turn out to pay their respects

Gracie Spinks has been laid to rest today in an emotional funeral service, with mourners wearing purple, horse attire and lining the streets as she made her final journey through Chesterfield.
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The funeral was held at 12 noon at St Bartholomew's Church in Old Whittington.

Gracie’s horse Paddy followed her coffin, which was in a white horse-drawn carriage.

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Hundreds of mourners lined the streets in Old Whittington as her funeral procession made its way through the village in Gracie’s honour.

Gracie's funeral at St Bartholomew's ChurchGracie's funeral at St Bartholomew's Church
Gracie's funeral at St Bartholomew's Church

Dozens of horse riders formed a guard of honour and listened to the service outside the church to pay tribute to the 23-year-old who was a keen rider and horse lover.

Watch the community pay their respects to Gracie, by keeping up with the latest updates below.

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Gracie Spinks’ funeral: Chesterfield says goodbye to beloved 23-year-old with mourners lining the streets and horses forming guard of honour

Key Events

  • Gracie Spinks has been laid to rest today, her funeral service started at 12 noon at St Bartholomew’s Church in Old Whittington
  • Hundreds of mourners wore purple and horse riding attire in memory of the 23-year-old equestrian
  • Gracie’s horse Paddy followed her coffin which was led by a horse-drawn white carriage
  • Temporary road closures were in place as funeral procession made its way to the church

This mark’s the end of our coverage of Gracie Spinks’ funeral today.

Gracie Spinks with her horse Paddy. Kindly submitted by Gracie’s family.Gracie Spinks with her horse Paddy. Kindly submitted by Gracie’s family.
Gracie Spinks with her horse Paddy. Kindly submitted by Gracie’s family.

At the Derbyshire Times, our thoughts are with all of Gracie’s family, friends and loved ones as they say goodbye to a very special woman.

We would like to give a special thank you to Gracie’s family for granting us permission to cover her funeral.

Rest in peace Gracie.

Procession was a beautiful moment for a beautiful young woman

Rest in peace Gracie Spinks.Rest in peace Gracie Spinks.
Rest in peace Gracie Spinks.

Chesterfield’s Gracie Spinks funeral was a beautiful moment for a beautiful young woman who was tragically taken away from us far too soon.

Mourners, many of whom were wearing purple or horse riding attire, lined the streets to pay their respects.

More on what this special day meant to the community in Old Whittington here.

Pictures as church service celebrates Gracie who ‘lived life to the fullest’

Gracie’s funeral service at St Bartholomew’s Church in Old Whittington celebrated the 23-year-old who is said to have lived life to the fullest.

Gracie's horse-drawn carriage arrives for the service at Old Whittington's St Bartholomew's Church.Gracie's horse-drawn carriage arrives for the service at Old Whittington's St Bartholomew's Church.
Gracie's horse-drawn carriage arrives for the service at Old Whittington's St Bartholomew's Church.

Pictures show the beautiful scenes in the village today, as mourners gathered to give the horse rider a final send off.

Read the full story here.

Derbyshire Times reporter Michael Broomhead: “Everyone who was involved in Gracie’s funeral today has done her proud”

Our reporter Michael Broomhead was on Sheffield Road, watching Gracie’s horse-drawn carriage funeral procession pass through Old Whittington before she was finally laid to rest earlier today.

He shared a message on Twitter about the experience as people turned out in their hundreds to say goodbye to the 23-year-old.

At the Derbyshire Times, our thoughts continue to be with Gracie’s family and friends.

Gracie’s life to be celebrated at the Cock & Magpie

Gracie with her horse Paddy, who followed her funeral procession. Gracie with her horse Paddy, who followed her funeral procession.
Gracie with her horse Paddy, who followed her funeral procession.

The 23-year-old’s life will now be celebrated with family and friends at the Cock & Magpie on Church Street North in Old Whittington.

Community says goodbye to Gracie as she is finally laid to rest

Hundreds of people have sent their thoughts and prayers to Gracie as she is buried.

Lisa Di Falco wrote: “Rest In Peace Gracie. Deepest condolences to Gracie’s family and friends”.

Louise Edwards added: “I’ve been in the car travelling back from Devon following the funeral and it’s just absolutely heartbreaking that such a young beautiful life has been taken. Sending so much love to her familyxx”.

Kerrie Poynton commented: “Rest with the angels didn’t know Gracie but she was defo loved by many of people and thinking about all ur family and friends today”.

Pictures as Chesterfield says emotional goodbye to beautiful 23-year-old with guard of honour and horse-drawn carriage procession

Gracie’s funeral procession began its journey on Sheffield Road.Gracie’s funeral procession began its journey on Sheffield Road.
Gracie’s funeral procession began its journey on Sheffield Road.

Take a look at the images which show mourners lining the streets and Gracie’s final send off in a horse-drawn carriage with her own horse Paddy following behind.

More here.

Gracie’s funeral ends with conregation singing All Things Bright And Beautiful

Gracie’s funeral.Gracie’s funeral.
Gracie’s funeral.

The friends and family of the 23-year-old sang All Things Bright And Beautiful as Gracie’s funeral service came to a close.

Horse riders listen to service outside St Bartholomew's Church

Horse riders wait outside the church.Horse riders wait outside the church.
Horse riders wait outside the church.

Horse riders that formed a guard of honour for the 23-year-old equestrian as her funeral procession passed through Old Whittington, are now waiting outside the church listening to the service.

Touching tributes are made to Gracie

Loved ones have shared touching tributes to Gracie, who was a daughter, sister and friend.

Reverend Jo Morris and Gracie’s family opened up about the 23-year-old, who was a keen animal lover, and her dream of becoming a mermaid.