Town to mourn the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

QueenWe are deeply saddened by the death of Her Majesty the Queen. Our sadness is shared by people across the world as we remember the country’s longest-reigning monarch with affection and gratitude.

Our sadness is shared by people across the world as we remember the country’s longest-reigning monarch with affection and gratitude.

The people of Tamworth will now come together for an official 10-day period of mourning during which we will pay tribute to Her Majesty The Queen and the lifetime of service she has given.

Books of Condolence have been opened for any members of the public who wish to pay tribute to the Queen in a lasting record that will be retained in the Staffordshire Archive. Copies are available to sign at St Editha’s Church in Tamworth town centre. These will be available during church opening hours and remain open until the day after the State funeral.

There is an online Book of Condolence available to sign at www.royal.uk. Or people can sign the Staffordshire online book of condolence at www.staffordshire.gov.uk.

Union flags are being flown at half-mast from the top of Marmion House and Tamworth Castle until the day after the funeral, although they will be raised for a period of time around the Proclamation (the time when King Charles III is formally announced as the new King and head of state).

Anyone who wishes to lay flowers and tributes may do so around St Editha’s Church. The fire service has asked that these do not include naked flames, but candles can be lit within St Editha’s Church. Tributes will remain in place throughout the official mourning period, after which they will be respectfully cleared.

People may prefer to make a donation to one of HM The Queen’s many patronages instead. Details of these, and how to donate, can be found at www.royal.uk.

Full details about all the local arrangements for the coming days are available via a special webpage which can be viewed on the Tamworth Borough Council website at www.tamworth.gov.uk.

Tributes

Councillor Jeremy Oates, Leader of Tamworth Borough Council

We are deeply saddened on receiving the official announcement of the death of our beloved Sovereign, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Our sadness is shared by people across the world as we remember the country’s longest-reigning monarch with affection and gratitude.

The Queen’s impact has been wide and far-reaching and she has been loved and revered in every corner of the world, and Tamworth is no different.

Throughout her reign, the Queen has given us cause to celebrate, brought communities together for street parties and festivities and has had a variety of honours and tributes bestowed upon her, such as the Jubilee Gardens in the Castle Grounds. I’m sure those physical tributes will grow in number and her legacy will live on in the town for decades to come, just as her great-great grandmother Queen Victoria’s memory lives on here.

We were fortunate enough to receive a visit from Her Majesty back in 1980 when she officially opened Ankerside Shopping Centre and many Tamworth people still remember that day with fondness.

So we know this loss will be deeply felt in Tamworth and that people will be wanting to show their affection and respect for the Queen as we join her family in this period of mourning. We’re sure Tamworth will do Her Majesty proud.

Councillor Moira Greatorex, Mayor of Tamworth Borough Council

On behalf of the people of Tamworth I would like to express our deepest condolences to members of the Royal Family on the passing of Her Majesty The Queen.

The Queen’s impact cannot be underestimated and I know Tamworth residents stand united in grief with millions across the world who will feel this loss deeply. She has been a constant figure of strength and hope for this country during times of turbulence and tragedy, as well as triumph, across an incredible seven decades.

It truly is the end of an era and our Queen will go down in history, not only as the longest reigning monarch in the UK, but as one of the longest reigning monarchs ever. Her legacy is sure to live on for hundreds of years and it’s hard to imagine that this will ever be replicated again.

We will now come together for a period of mourning to reflect on the Queen’s life, mark our respects and give her the send-off she truly deserves.

RIP Her Majesty the Queen.

Andrew Barratt, Chief Executive of Tamworth Borough Council

We know this loss will be deeply felt across the town, the country and indeed the world, as we come together to mourn the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

Our deepest condolences go to members of the Royal Family and we now join them in an official period of mourning. While it is a time of deep sadness, it is also an opportunity to celebrate the life of the Queen and the huge impact she has had on world history.

There are various opportunities for people to publicly pay their respects and we’d encourage residents to have a look at the information on our website to find out how they can do that locally.