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.
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.
Hundreds of mourners lined the streets in Old Whittington as her funeral procession made its way through the village in Gracie’s honour.
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
Last updated: Friday, 23 July, 2021, 15:30
- 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
Gracie’s sparkly purple coffin lays at the top of the church as family make speeches remembering the 23-year-old horse rider
Gracie has been laid to rest inside a sparkly, purple coffin which has been placed at the top of the church as her loved ones attend her funeral.
Family members have made speeches remembering her, sharing her love of horses and the loyalty she had for her loved ones.
Gracie’s brother pays tribute to his sister for everything “she’s achieved in her life"
Gracie’s brother Tom spoke to a crowd of his sister’s loved ones during the service.
He said he was the “proudest brother in the world of everything she’s achieved in her life”.
Tom shared how Gracie had attended festivals, excelled in her career and lived life to the fullest.
Readings from the bible as Gracie’s funeral service starts
The funeral service for Gracie has now started and it was led with readings from the bible.
Funeral procession arrives at St Bartholomew’s Church as friends and family say goodbye to Gracie
The horse-drawn carriage containing Gracie’s coffin has arrived at St Bartholomew’s Church in Old Whittington.
Mourners take their seats as Gracie’s funeral prepares to start
You can watch a live stream of the service for the 23-year-old on Facebook:
People leave flowers and teddy bears outside St Bartholomew’s Church ahead of funeral service
Flowers and teddy bears have been left outside the church in Old Whittington in tribute to Gracie, ahead of her funeral service at 12 noon.
Viewers flood live video with tributes to Gracie
Viewers watching the Derbyshire Times’ live stream of Gracie’s funeral procession passing through Old Whittington have flooded the comments with purple hearts in memory of the horse lover.
Mourners have turned out in purple or horse riding attire, as requested by Harold Lilleker & Sons who have organised her funeral.
Eleni Mappoura wrote: “Rest in paradise Angel”.
Pat Lowe added: “Such a wonderful send off R.I.P Gracie xx”.
Kelly Chirms commented: “Fly high beautiful girl”.