Political leaders
Leaders of four political groups on Cheshire West and Chester Council have visited four of the borough’s town centres to pay their respects to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
The delegation was made up of council leader Cllr Louise Gittins (Labour), opposition leader Cllr Margaret Parker (Conservative), Independent Group leader Cllr Gillian Edwards, and Liberal Democrats Cllr Paul Roberts (in Chester and Ellesmere Port) and Cllr Malcolm Gaskill (in Winsford and Northwich).
They were joined by chief executive Andrew Lewis and council staff to sign the books of condolence and to lay flowers in each location.
They paid their respects at Town Hall Square in Chester; Memorial Court in Northwich; Wyvern House in Winsford; and at the library and Civic Hall in Ellesmere Port.
The group also visited Chester Cathedral and thanked those who’ve been helping organise and support commemorative events across the borough.
Books of condolence
Books of condolence are now open at Chester Town Hall, Chester HQ Building, Chester Cathedral, Northwich Memorial Court, Wyvern House in Winsford and Civic Hall in Ellesmere Port.
The book of condolence at Chester Town Hall will stay open during the bank holiday on Monday 19th September, and all the other books will re-open on Tuesday 20th September until 5pm the same day.
People can also send an online message of condolence via the royal family website.
All the condolence books will be bound and kept in the borough’s archive as a record of the sentiments expressed by local people on the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Floral tributes
Flower carpets are also available at the same locations for people who wish to express their sympathies.
These are: Chester Town Hall, Chester HQ Building, Chester Cathedral, Northwich Memorial Court, Wyvern House in Winsford and Civic Hall in Ellesmere Port.
Anyone wishing to leave flowers is asked to remove any plastic wrapping before laying their floral tribute.
The day after The Queen’s funeral the flower carpets will be removed and transferred to Grosvenor Park in Chester where they will be laid near the wicker sculpture of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
They will remain there until Friday 23rd September 2022.
After this, the flowers will be mulched and spread around trees, in areas across the borough which form the Queen’s Green Canopy.
As an alternative to floral tributes, people may wish to consider supporting one of the many charities, associations or organisations that Her Majesty was linked to, or a patron of.
One-minute silence
At 8pm on Sunday 18th September, the evening before the state funeral, there will be a one-minute silence where the public are invited to come together and observe a national moment of reflection to mourn and reflect on the life and legacy of Queen Elizabeth II.
In Cheshire West and Chester, this will be marked by an event on Chester Town Hall steps. More information will be available soon on the council’s website.
Service of thanksgiving
A service of thanksgiving for the life of The Queen will be held in Chester Cathedral on Sunday 18th September 2022 at 3pm.
This will also be attended by the Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire, the High Sheriff of Cheshire, the Lord Mayor of Chester and town mayors from across Cheshire.
Visit the Chester Cathedral website to reserve your seat.
The service will also be streamed on the cathedral’s official YouTube channel.
State funeral
The Queen’s state funeral will take place at 11am on Monday 19th September at Westminster Abbey in London.
The day of the funeral will be a public holiday and schools across the country will be closed.
A national, two-minute silence will be held during the event.
The funeral will be screened at Storyhouse in Chester (open 9am to 7pm, as a place of comfort for those who may not want to be alone).
Note
All of the above arrangements may be subject to change at short notice. Please check details before attending.
Please check the CWAC website for updates.
