THE mayor of Lyme Regis has paid tribute to The Queen’s ‘unwavering dedication, loyalty and commitment’ following her death.
HRH Queen Elizabeth II died at Balmoral aged 96 on Thursday 8 September.
Paying tribute on behalf of Lyme Regis Town Council, Cllr Michaela Ellis said: “It was with profound sadness that Lyme Regis Town Council learnt of the death of Her Majesty The Queen.
“We are humbled in the shadow of her 70 years’ service to our nation and the Commonwealth and we pay tribute to her unwavering dedication, loyalty and commitment.
“She was a unique and remarkable person, instantly recognisable and a well-loved symbol of Britishness. For most of us, The Queen has been ever-present throughout our lives, a golden thread of continuity.
“Her sense of duty has endured throughout her long life of service and saddened as we all are by her passing, our overwhelming feeling is one of gratitude for her unquestioning dedication to her purpose.
“Thank you, Ma’am.”
Following the announcement of her death on Thursday evening, the Union flag was raised at half-mast on the Guildhall and all other flags in the town were taken down.
A book of condolence has opened at the Guildhall and will remain open Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 4.30pm until the day following the funeral.
There is also an online book of condolence on the council website at https://www.lymeregistowncouncil.gov.uk/book-of-condolence
For those who are unable to get out to sign the book or do not have access to the internet, residents can send by post to the council office handwritten messages which can then be typed into the online book of condolence or added into the physical book of condolence.
Flowers can be laid at the Guildhall or at St Michael’s Parish Church and tributes will be removed within a week after the state funeral.
From Friday evening, the lights in the Langmoor Gardens will turn purple to signify national mourning.
Following confirmation that King Charles will officially be proclaimed by the Accession Council at 10am on Saturday 10 September at St James’s Palace, the flag at the Guildhall will be raised to full mast at 10am and flown throughout the day at full mast.
On Sunday 11 September, the flag at the Guildhall will be returned to half-mast at 1pm.
The mayor, Cllr Ellis, will give a statement from the town council and a proclamation from the steps of the Guildhall at 2pm, to which the public are invited to attend.
The bells at St Michael’s Parish Church will toll and the National Anthem will be sung.
During the period of national mourning, council meetings will be affected so the scheduled Planning Committee meeting on 13 September, the Human Resources Committee meeting on 14 September, and the Town Management and Highways Committee meeting on 21 September will not take place.