21st April 1926 – 8th September 2022
Wotton Under Edge Town Council is deeply saddened by the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and joins the Nation, the Commonwealth, and the World, in mourning her loss. Her dedication and service to the country and its citizens was unwavering. We offer our sincere condolences to the Royal Family at this sad time.
Floral tributes
An area for floral tributes is provided at St Mary’s Church on the left of the drive as you enter the Church grounds. As requested by Buckingham Palace, please do not include plastic or cellophane as the flowers will be gathered the day after the funeral and composted. The compost will be used to fertilise a tree which will be planted in memory of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by the Town Mayor at a suitable location in Wotton Under Edge.
Books of Condolence
There are two Books of Condolence available for members of the community to sign until the Wednesday after the Funeral:
St Mary’s Church every day between 9am and 7pm
Civic Centre between 9am and 12.30pm Monday to Friday
Buckingham Palace are also accepting online submission to their e-Book of Condolence which can be accessed on The Royal Family Website
Following the funeral, Stroud District Council will collect the Books with a message from the Town Mayor.
Sunday 18th September 2022 – Horses commemorative ride through Wotton Under Edge
As part of the Pass Wide And Slow Campaign, 18 horses and riders plus cyclists and walkers will be riding, cycling and walking through Wotton Under Edge and will also be commemorating Her Majesty The Queen who was renowned for her love of horses. The campaign aims to reduce the number of accidents involving horses by informing drivers of the danger that frightened horses can pose to vehicles. There are over 220 walks/rides taking part across the country on the same day. The riders will be wearing black armbands and the horses will be wearing red, white, and blue ribbons. The itinerary is as follows:
12 noon – Meet at Manners Farm
Walk up to the town along Long Street, High Street, Bear Street, and down Old Town.
Stop at the War Memorial to lay a floral tribute to Her Majesty The Queen
Walk back to Manners Farm for awarding of certificates and rosettes by the Town Mayor.
There will be escort vehicles at the front and back of the walk, kindly supplied by Smiths. The Police and County Highways have agreed to the arrangements.
Church Services
St Mary’s Church
St Marys’ Church is open each day from 9am to 7pm. The book of Condolence is available to sign.
Sunday 18th September: 9.30am: This will be a lovely service including the Town Councillors, local schools, Guides, Scouts, County and District Councillors, as well as other groups and residents, and will include commemorations to a very special and unique reign.
The Town Council will be led by the Mace Bearer and the Mayor in a procession into the Church following the Cross, Vicar, clergy, and the choir. It will be another historic moment for Wotton Under Edge.
The Service will be followed by tea, coffee, and cake, it will be lovely to see you there and to catch up and share thoughts and memories. There will be time to sign the Book of Condolence and light a candle in memory of HM The Queen and to loved ones. All our welcome.
Friday 9th and Saturday 10th September at 6.30pm until 7pm: As a tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, St Mary’s will be offering evening prayer
Sunday 11th September at 9.30 am: there will be a Holy Communion Service of National Mourning to which all are welcome.
Sunday 11th September at 5pm: our Mayor will make a ‘Public Proclamation’ outside St Marys’ Church, this will be followed by a time of prayer and reflection inside with opportunity to write in our ’Book of Condolence’ and to light candles.
Sunday 11th September at 6.30pm: Evensong service.
Monday 12th September (between 5pm and 7pm each day) you are welcome to light candles.
Schools
KLB – The flag has been lowered to half-mast. The following letter has been sent to parents/guardians of pupils Queen Elizabeth II Statement – KLB https://klbschool.org.uk/
Bluecoat School – The flag has been lowered to half-mast. The curriculum has been adapted to help the children to understand the historical significance and the life of Queen Elizabeth II. Due to the age of the children, the focus is on celebrating Her Majesty’s life, her achievements, and what can be learnt from her.
The British School – All classes are doing activities and have a day on Artwork and History. On Friday the theme will be to dress in red, white and blue. The Head sent the following letter to parents and guardians of the pupils:
Dear Parents and Guardians
It is with great sadness that we learned this evening of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II’s passing.
She has been held here at school as a beacon for goodness and service; her selfless leadership being something we have used often as an example for the pupils to consider. There will of course be guidance as to how we manage the approach at school, but in this moment, we would recognise that life must go on and so we will continue with school tomorrow, as we are sure she would have wished.
We will make time to reflect on an extraordinary life well lived and we have plans to mark her reign here at school, which will involve all of the school community. This will be shared in time, but for now, we share the grief with her family, and I am sure pass on our strength to His Royal Highness, King Charles who must take up his crown, as he too grieves for his mother.
Flags
The Civic Centre and KLB School are following the Government protocol on flag raising and lowering. When the announcement was made of the death of Her Majesty The Queen on the evening of 8th September 2022, the flag was lowered to half-mast. It was then raised to full-mast on 9th September for the Proclamation of Accession. It is lowered on 10th September 2022 after the Proclamation of Accession is read in Wotton Under Edge, and will remain lowered until 20th September 2022, the day after the Royal Funeral.
Proclamation by the Town Mayor
The Town Crier gave the cry of the death of HM The Queen and the accession of the Proclamation to be read by the Town Mayor
Town Crier – Introduction to Proclamation
The Town Mayor read a public Proclamation on behalf of the people of Wotton Under Edge at 5pm on Sunday 11th September 2022 outside St Marys’ Church
Accession Proclamation 10.09.22
This is the historic way of sharing the news that the monarch has died, and the heir has acceded to the throne.
The Town Council was led by the Mace Bearer in the procession to the Church.
Members of Wotton Silver Band played the National Anthem, and everyone joined the Town Crier in the Hoorah of 3 cheers to the new King.
This was a truly historic occasion and for some of us will be the only time we see this in our lifetime. It was something to tell your children and their children in years to come. A photographer recorded the Proclamation for the Heritage Centre archives.
The Church was open, and people signed the Book of Condolence, lit a candle, and enjoyed the historical beauty of the Church and the moment of reflection.
Letter to the new Sovereign
The Town Mayor and Council will send a letter on behalf of Wotton Under Edge to the Private Secretary asking that condolences be passed to the new Sovereign, King Charles III
Council Meetings rescheduled
The Council, by law, has had to cancel the Town Council meeting on Monday 19th September 2022. The meeting will be rescheduled, and the Notice posted on the Town Council website.
Town Council and Civic Centre closure – 19th September 2022
The Town Council and Civic Centre will be closed on 19th September 2022 out of respect for HM The Queen’s Funeral. The King, in his proclamation, has decreed the day to be a bank holiday.
