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Here is today's edition of The Nottinghamian:
Hello,
Today's edition of The Nottinghamian is, quite naturally, focused on the death of Queen Elizabeth II, who reigned for 70 years. Nottingham has been celebrating her life and paying tribute to Her Majesty throughout the day.
We will take a look back at the mark she has made on her city and how we are remembering her. Plus a detailed list of everything you may wonder about how the next few days are going to look.
Nottingham mourns
People from across Nottinghamshire have been paying tribute to one of the world's longest-reigning monarchs who died peacefully at Balmoral at the age of 96. Tributes from leading figures, including her son, now King Charles III, former Prime Ministers and current MPs poured out last night following her passing.
Local celebrities including Paul Smith, Vicky McClure and Torvill and Dean have shared their tributes as well as residents from across the city and county. A book of condolence has been set up at the council house in Nottingham, and at other locations across the city, where people can pay their respects.
Flowers have been placed on the steps of the council house in Old Market Square throughout the day and local residents have been telling Nottinghamshire Live their thoughts. Dale Cunningham, 63, from Woodthorpe, said: “It brought a tear to my eye, it was just upsetting. She’s been there all my life, and that's the same for most people. We all have to carry on but remember her too."
Rory Archer, 33, owner of Greenhood Coffee House in Beeston, said: "She was an amazing woman and figurehead. How can you not respect that?" Jackie Allen, 59, of Arnold, said: "I think it's really sad, a family's lost a mum and the country's lost the one who's been so honourable to us." Butcher Ian Varley, 46, added: "It's just sad, you expected it to come but you don't want it to." Follow the latest updates on Nottingham's reaction here.
"Very nice employer"
A Nottinghamshire chef who worked for the royal household has paid tribute to the Queen as a ruler - and a "very nice employer". Des Sweeney, who now runs the Kitchen at the Cross Keys in Epperstone, was a junior chef amongst a 16-strong brigade in the kitchens at Buckingham Palace for four years.
Mr Sweeney said: "It's very sad times. Someone doing their job for 70 years is quite an achievement. She was a lovely lady and a very nice employer, very polite, very formal. It was an honour and a privilege working for her." There were banquets catering for 200 visitors but at times it was cooking for just two.
"It was very much the family home [Balmoral] so they'd be in and out of the kitchen and just chatting day to day, asking ''what are we having for dinner?' At Balmoral in August, they'd do a lot of barbecues and we'd get everything ready for them. She'd sprinkle the chives over the salad and tell people she'd made the salad. She'd do the washing up in chalets out in the fields and bring it all back to us."
The Queen championed British produce, in particular lamb and salmon and was very conscious of the seasons, only having strawberries in June. Garlic and spicy food were avoided because of meeting people. "She was like everyone's favourite grandmother," added Mr Sweeney. Read more about Mr Sweeney's experience working for the Queen here.
Weather and trivia
Weather: Any early mist and fog will soon clear, with sunny spells developing on Saturday. Largely dry although the odd shower cannot be ruled out. A dry and largely clear evening. Maximum temperature 21 °C.
Pollen: Low
Further reading: Leave your tributes, memories and messages of condolence for the Queen
Trivia question: What is the bell in Nottingham Council House called?
The answer to today’s trivia question is at the bottom of the newsletter.
In pictures
The Queen’s first visit to Nottingham was as an ambassador of youth in April, 1946, when she was only 19 and still a princess. Brilliant sunshine and a 10,000-strong crowd greeted her arrival in the city for a programme that included tea and dinner at the council house with the Lord Mayor, a visit to the youth week exhibition at the YMCA and a youth concert at the Albert Hall, where the audience gave her a great reception.
Her Majesty had made multiple trips to the city since, with her first official visit to Nottingham with the Duke of Edinburgh in 1949. It was the highlight of the city’s quincentenary celebrations. The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh’s next visit to Nottingham was in 1955 for the Royal Show at Wollaton Park.
Flag-waving crowds eagerly awaited the arrival of the Queen who visited Nottingham’s University Park campus on 28 July, 1977. She was also in Nottingham that day to officially open the Queen’s Medical Centre. And the Queen later returned in 1999 to open the initial phase of the university’s Jubilee campus.
A further visit followed with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to watch a children's sports event at Vernon Park during a Diamond Jubilee visit to Nottingham on June 13, 2012. We have compiled a selection of some of the best photos of her visits over the years. View them here.
Today's front page
What happens now
- A period of royal mourning will be observed from now until seven days after the Queen’s funeral. Today (Friday, September 9) is the first day of national mourning, which is expected to end on September 19.
- The date of the Queen's funeral will be confirmed in due course, says Buckingham Palace.
- Balmoral Castle, Sandringham House, the Queen’s private estates, Hillsborough Castle, Queen’s Gallery and the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace and the Queen’s Gallery in Edinburgh will all close for this period.
- Flags at royal residences were half-masted yesterday, 8th September, and will remain half-masted until 0800hrs on the morning after the final day of royal mourning.
- There are no physical books of condolence at the royal residences but an online book of condolence for those who wish to leave messages is available on the royal website.
Charles will be officially named King at the Accession Council on Saturday, September 10, with a ceremony taking place at 10am in the state apartments of St James's Palace.
Flags will be flown at full mast from the time of the Principal Proclamation at St James's Palace until one hour after the Proclamations in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, after which flags will return to half-mast.
That’s all for this week
Thank you for joining me for today's edition of The Nottinghamian. I hope you enjoyed it, and if you did why not sign up to receive it directly in your inbox every weekday by clicking here.
The answer to today’s trivia question, what is the bell in Nottingham Council House called, is The Little John.
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