How we have been commemorating Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
Published Friday 9 September 2022 at 14:02
Blackburn with Darwen has been mourning the death of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II since she passed away on Thursday 8 September. Here is a round up of how local people got involved in commemoration her life and service.
Floral tributes
Residents have had the chance to lay floral tributes in memory of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in:
- Blackburn: on the grassed area within the cathedral grounds
- Darwen: on the grassed area within the Market Square (where Remembrance Day tributes are normally placed) or to the front of the Town Hall
After the end of the national period of mourning, the floral tributes will be respectfully removed and composted. Plans are being made to use the compost from these floral tributes to Her Majesty in an appropriate and meaningful way.
Books of condolence
Books of condolence at our town halls are open until the end of Tuesday 20 September:
- Blackburn Town Hall: 8.45am to 5pm Monday to Friday
- Darwen Town Hall: 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday
Other ways to sign a book of condolence
An online book of condolence for Lancashire is available to anyone who would like to sign it digitally.
There is also a National Book of Condolence which will be kept by the Royal Household.
Blackburn Cathedral also has its own book of condolence. This is available for anyone to sign during normal cathedral opening hours:
- 9:15am to 5.30pm Tuesday to Saturday
- 9:15am to 5.00pm Sunday
Your memories of Her Majesty
We continue to compile an online archive of local residents’ memories of Her Majesty.
From Royal Visits to awarding Honours, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II touched the lives of so many local residents. As we commemorate her life, we’re asking you to share your memories of the Queen for us to publish in a commemorative feature here on The Shuttle.
Whether you have photos or video of your encounters with the Queen, or interesting tales to tell about your brushes with royalty, we would love to include them.
Please email us your words, photographs or videos, along with a photo of yourself and your details, to prandcommunications@blackburn.gov.uk.
Lancashire Service of Thanksgiving
A service of thanksgiving for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was held on Sunday 18 September at Blackburn Cathedral.
The event, attended by Mayors from across Lancashire, is available to watch on the cathedral’s YouTube channel.
Read more about the Service of Thanksgiving.
National Moment of Reflection
A one minute silence was held across the UK at 8pm on Sunday, 18 September.
Flags
The Union Flags at the Town Halls in Blackburn and Darwen returned to full mast on the morning after the state funeral, in line with national guidance.
Wellbeing support
If you’ve been affected by the death of Her Late Majesty in a way you didn’t expect, you’re not alone. Many of us have felt a sense of sense of grief at the loss of someone who had been such a large part of UK life for seven decades.
The national media coverage of the Queen’s death may also have triggered feelings relating to recent bereavements.
If you feel like you need some support for your mental wellbeing, help is available on the NHS website. or through Cruse Bereavement Support.
Proclamation of our new King
Following the national Proclamation of the Accession of the new monarch King Charles III in London, two local Proclamation events took place – in Blackburn and in Darwen – on Sunday 11 September.
You can watch the videos of these events, at which the Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen Councillor Suleman Khonat, read the Proclamation, which was written on an ornamental scroll that he received from the High Sheriff of Lancashire:
Rich in tradition, the reading of the Proclamation was an historic moment. It is part of the fabric of our history dating back to the Middle Ages, at a time when this form of communication was the only official way for people to hear news and information.