A message from Cllr Kevin Guy, Leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council
People from Bath and North East Somerset have been joining our nation in mourning, following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. National Mourning will continue until the end of the day of the State Funeral on Monday, which is a national bank holiday.
The Chair of the Council, Councillor Shaun Stephenson-McGall, on behalf of the council and the people of Bath and North East Somerset, has expressed his deepest sympathy to the Royal Family.
Councillor Stephenson-McGall made the Local Proclamation of King Charles III from the Guildhall steps on Sunday September 11, the day following the national proclamation.
Hundreds of people stood outside the Guildhall to witness the proclamation which was followed by a procession to Parade Gardens where the chair and the Mayor of Bath, Councillor Rob Appleyard, laid floral tributes. I was particularly moved by the Local Proclamation. This reaffirmed the links between the Sovereign and our local communities. Despite modern communication methods such as social media, this allowed us to come together locally and reflect on the moment in our nation’s history when the reign of our longest-serving Monarch came to an end and our new Sovereign succeeded.
Thank you to all those who took part in this historic occasion.
Her Majesty visited our area on a number of occasions and was much admired by people from across our communities. As well as a being an exemplar of dignified, selfless public service, we must remember that, at heart, HM Queen Elizabeth II was a much-loved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. It is with the Royal Family that our thoughts lie at this time.
Union Flags are flying at half-mast at the Bath Guildhall, Keynsham Memorial Gardens, and Midsomer Norton Library and Information Service (formerly The Hollies) until 8am on the day following the State Funeral.
Books of Condolence are open at Bath Guildhall, Keynsham Community Space, and Midsomer Norton Library and Information Service. They will remain open until 5pm on Tuesday 20 September, the day following the State Funeral.
The mobile library has a Book of Condolence for people to sign. The mobile library schedule can be found here. The Chair is visiting care homes across our area with a Book of Condolence so residents and staff have the opportunity to sign. You may also leave a message of condolence here.
Mourners have been leaving flowers at Parade Gardens, Bath (there is no entrance fee), the Memorial Park, Keynsham and the Hollies Garden, Midsomer Norton. As with other councils, Bath and North East Somerset Council is following The Royal Parks Protocol on the leaving of floral tributes.
The Bath Abbey has been open for quiet reflection at the heart of our city and I would like to thank the Abbey for their invaluable help and support at this time.
When the sad news came though of the death of Her Majesty, it was at the start of a meeting of the council’s cabinet, and we suspended the meeting with immediate effect. During the period of national mourning as a mark of respect the council has paused council events including community engagement activity and council meetings. Council services have continued, but with any changes including Bank Holiday arrangements set out on our service update web page.
As readers may be aware, I served in the Royal Navy. Readers may not know however that the Royal Navy is the only armed service where no oath of allegiance to the sovereign is required. This is because the loyalty of naval officers to the Sovereign is taken for granted. This is and remains unswervingly the case for myself.
God Save The King.
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