The 356th Anniversary of the King's execution took place on Sunday 30th January from 2 pm for 2:30 pm in the King Charles I Room, Kidderminster Town Hall, hosted by President John Booth.
President John Booth was joined by the largest gathering seen for many years at this traditional occasion. The ceremony was led by the Rev Canon Owain Bell, Vicar of St Mary's and All Saints' Church; also attending in an official capacity were Mel Hayward, the Mayor's Consort; Cllr Siri Hayward, Mayor; and Cllr John Simmons, Chairman of Wyre Forest District Council.
During the short service, Canon Bell welcomed everyone and, then, after prayers, described the scene at the Banqueting Hall in Whitehall on a day so cold that the King wore two shirts so that he might not be seen to be shivering, lest the onlookers thought he be afraid. A 17-year-old boy watching the event said that 'such a groan as I never heard before' went up from the crowd at the moment of execution. Canon Bell then read excerpts from a letter from the King to his son, later to be Charles II, and described him as a 'not a good king but a great Christian gentleman'.
The President read two short extracts from other descriptions of the execution and then a verse from the 'traditional' poem by Andrew Marvell. He then laid the Old Carolian wreath of blue and gold flowers at the Association's plaque in the entrance to the Town Hall.
There was time for a final prayer before the Mayor invited all present to the Mayor's Parlour for refreshments.