Following the announcement by Buckingham Palace of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, East Staffordshire Borough Council has released the following statement.
Councillor George Allen, Leader of the Council, said: “On behalf of East Staffordshire Borough Council I would like to express our sadness at this time. All of our thoughts are with the family.”
Andy O’Brien, Chief Executive, added: “Everyone at the Council is very saddened to hear of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The Council has now entered an official period of mourning and will follow its protocol for marking the death of a member of the Royal Family.”
The Union Flag at the Town Hall in Burton upon Trent will be flown at half-mast until the morning after the state funeral apart from on the day of the proclamation and the day after proclamation. All other flags at the Town Hall will be removed during this period.
A book of condolence will be opened on Friday 9th September 2022 and will be available to members of the public to sign from 9:30am until 5:00pm on the day following the state funeral. The book of condolence will be available throughout this period at Burton Town Hall, Uttoxeter Town Hall and St Modwen’s Church in Burton. Alternatively, a book of condolence can be signed online at royal.uk.
The Council would like to request that any memorial flowers are left by the War Memorial in Burton upon Trent. Flowers left outside the flag poles at the Town Hall will be respectfully moved to the War Memorial.
The website royal.uk has further biographical information, details on the funeral and accession and a virtual book of condolence.
Proclamation
On Sunday 11th September at 2:30pm, Deputy Lieutenant Graham Robert Morley and the Mayor of East Staffordshire, Cllr Phil Hudson, led the local proclamation in Burton upon Trent for His Majesty King Charles III, marking the beginning of the King’s reign.
The proclamation was supported by Uttoxeter Town Band, who played the first verse of God Save The King before the Mayor called for three cheers for his Majesty.
More information on the local proclamation can be found on the Council website.
Moment of Silent Reflection
In line with national guidance, East Staffordshire Borough Council will be conducting a Moment of Silent Reflection on the eve of the funeral of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, taking place at 8pm on Sunday 18th September 2022.
Members of the public will be able to join the Mayor of East Staffordshire, Cllr Phil Hudson, for the Moment of Reflection at the War Memorial in Burton upon Trent or the Deputy Mayor of East Staffordshire, Cllr Chris Sylvester, for the event at the War Memorial in Uttoxeter, which will be conducted in partnership with Uttoxeter Town Council.
Residents are invited to attend the two events from 7:55pm, with the Mayor and Deputy Mayor making a statement at 7:58pm before the minute’s silence takes place at 8pm.
St Mary’s Church in Uttoxeter will also be holding a Memorial Service at 6pm, ahead of the Moment of Silent Reflection.
For more information please see Staffordshire County Council’s website.