Gloucester County Administrator Carol Steele joined the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester to celebrate the annual Gloucester Day in England on Sept. 3. It was the first time each of them had the opportunity to join in the celebration.

The visit coincided with the newly created Gloucester Collaboration, where the Gloucester’s of the world are connecting with one another.

“The day was a tremendous success from the bell ringing held at the Cathedral to a special church service to viewing the civic parade with the royal representatives,” Steele said. “Their Royal Highnesses were very kind and supportive to loan their support of the new Collaboration.” The Duke has even agreed to judge an upcoming high school essay contest where students from each of the Gloucester’s will have the opportunity to submit essays about what makes their own localities unique. The Duchess was also very positive about the potential of the Gloucester communities working together.

Gloucester Day was celebrated locally for the first time this year and plans are underway for next year’s event. Videos and images of the “12 Bells at 12” bell ringing and of citizens supporting their community and the occasion can be seen on the County’s website, www.gloucesterva.info. Steele said she hopes local businesses and civic groups will become involved and exchange information with partners in the other Gloucester localities during future Gloucester Days. An example of this could be the possibility of exchanging favorite local recipes that restaurants can feature on Gloucester Day, Steele said.

The County Administrator’s time abroad on her vacation also included a stop and tour of Gravesend, England, where Pocahontas is buried. Her remains are at St. George’s Church, which features a special display honoring the daughter of Chief Powhatan. The church also hosts a reproduction of the statue of Pocahontas, the original of which is housed at Jamestown, Virginia. The reproduction was provided to the church in 1957 by Virginia’s governor at the time, Thomas B. Stanley. Like Gloucester, Virginia, Gravesend also has a Pocahontas mural.

Gravesend is a part of the larger Borough of Gravesham. The Gravesham Council recently joined the Gloucester County Board of Supervisors in support of President Biden declaring March 21 an annual day of honor for Pocahontas and the Virginia Indians. The exact date of death for Pocahontas is unknown, but St. George’s records state that her funeral was held there on March 21, 1617.

While in Gravesend, Steele met with chief administration officers from the Borough to learn more about their government operations and to discuss ways that the two communities could work together on tourism promotions related to Pocahontas.

“I am extremely pleased with the incredible global and local support of the Inaugural Gloucester Day,” Steele said. “I cannot wait for the event to grow and to see what amazing opportunities next year’s event has in store.”