Following the announcement from Buckingham Palace of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, there are a number of plans in place to allow the borough to pay tribute.
You may wish to use this as guidance for yourselves during this period of national mourning.
- Condolence books
The Council’s condolence books will be open from 9am Friday 9 September 2022, and, as soon as practically possible, flower carpets will be made available for people to pay tribute. These can be found at the following locations.
• Chester Town Hall
• Chester Cathedral
• Northwich Memorial Court
• Wyvern House, in Winsford
• Civic Way, in Ellesmere Port
Other books of condolence may be opened by town and parish councils and local religious places.
Messages can also be posted online at Send a message of condolence | The Royal Family
- Flags
Flags at Council-owned flagpoles will be lowered to half mast until the day of the state funeral. They will be raised from while the proclamation is read nationally and in Chester. Dates for this will be confirmed as soon as they are available.
- Proclamation
The Cheshire proclamation (announcement of the new monarch) takes place at Chester Town Hall. Dates for this will be confirmed as soon as they are available. The High Sheriff of Cheshire will lead the service and all town and borough mayors from across the county of Cheshire, including in Halton, Warrington and Cheshire East, will be invited to attend. Local VIPs, members of the public and schools will also be invited to attend.
- State funeral and public holiday
There will be a national period of mourning from. Dates for this will be confirmed as soon as they are available. The funeral will be a state funeral and the day has been designated a public holiday. Service managers will be reviewing their services and what they will deliver during that period. Updates will follow
- Civic service
A service of commemoration takes place at Chester Cathedral on the middle Sunday and invitations to local VIPs will follow. Dates will be confirmed as soon as they are available.
- Events during the mourning period
National guidelines support the continued delivery of council business during this period. The Council will review which events, activities and Council meetings are scheduled to take place during the mourning period. Where public meetings do occur, a moment of silence will be held before the start of events, activities or Council meetings.
- Dress code
It may be appropriate for black ties to be worn by civic leaders, senior officers and community leaders.
For more information visit: www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk