Tributes to Queen Elizabeth II are appearing all over the region, with flags flown at half mast and flowers left outside public buildings. Local authorities have all updated their websites with messages of condolence to the Royal Family from civic leaders, as well as guidelines on where and how constituents can express their own condolences.
Bristol City Council’s homepage carried messages from Mayor of Bristol Martin Rees, Lord Mayor of Bristol Cllr Paula O’Rourke and Lord-Lieutenant Peaches Golding OBE, who wrote: “I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Her Majesty The Queen, and I know the people of Bristol will join me in sending our thoughts and condolences to the Royal Family at this difficult time.”
Beneath these, local mourners were advised to leave any flowers at the western end of Bristol Cathedral, which is also hosting a book of remembrance to the late monarch. Another book of remembrance has been opened at City Hall, while an e-book is being opened online for those who cannot travel to either of these locations.
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The South Gloucestershire Council website featured a message from Chair of South Gloucestershire Council, Cllr Sanjay Shambhu. “Her Majesty The Queen was a much loved and respected leader who will be remembered with great fondness,” he wrote. “Her dedication to the nation and to the Commonwealth was both unstinting and inspirational.”
Books of condolence will be opened at the council’s Badminton Road Offices in Yate and the Civic Centre in Kingswood from 9am on Saturday 10 September. These will remain open every day, from 9am to 5pm, until Tuesday 20 September, while an online book of condolence will be hosted on the authority’s website.
North Somerset Council’s homepage linked to a joint message from Cllr Steve Bridger and Cllr Mike Bell, the leader and deputy leader of the authority, who called the Queen “a much-loved figure both here in North Somerset and across the world”.
The message added that all flags on council buildings, as well as at council parks and open spaces, would be lowered to fly at half-mast with immediate effect. The authority will open books of condolence at the Town Hall in Weston-super-Mare and at the Castlewood council offices, Clevedon on Friday 9 September.
Visitors can access these between 9am and 6pm, Monday to Friday. Town and parish councils across North Somerset will also open their own books of condolence, as well as having designated areas where people can lay floral tributes.
An electronic book of condolence is also available on the Royal Family's official website, which also has guidance on where and how visitors to the royal palaces can leave their tributes.
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