Newsletter 16/09/22
15 September 2022
Please note: this news article is in our archive. Articles were correct at time of publication, but should not be relied on for accuracy after the passage of time.
Latest EGTC updates as we mourn Queen Elizabeth II
As the nation remains in a state of mourning following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, this is an update as to the activities in the town this week: the Union Flag will be flown at half-mast on the East Court building and in the High Street until 8am the day after the funeral.
An official Book of Condolence from the town is available at East Court for the public to sign with messages of condolence, from 10.00 – 16.00 Monday to Friday this week. Anyone that wishes to make an entry at a time outside of the opening hours should contact the Mayor’s Secretary on 01342 323636 or email towncouncil@eastgrinstead.gov.uk for availability. The books will close the day after the funeral. There is an online link from the Town Council’s website (below) to the National Book of Condolence maintained by Buckingham Palace.
Other books are available in other public buildings, such as St Swithun’s Church.
On its closure, the hard copy here, will be sent away for binding and then kept here as an official record.
Floral tributes that the public wish to lay should be taken to the wall of remembrance at Mount Noddy Cemetery, please remove cellophane first and place in the rings or by the wall. The Town Mayor laid a wreath from the Council on Friday morning.
The Town Council is not leading on any other events during the period of mourning. A national minute’s silence is to be held at 8pm on Sunday 18 September. You may wish to mark this at home or in local places of worship. The Town Council encourages people to watch the funeral from home with family and friends at 11am on Monday 19 September, if they are not travelling to the capital to watch the events in person.
The Town Council will be arranging celebratory events for the new King’s coronation in due time, however at this sad time of mourning it is felt that residents and the Councillors and Staff, should be with their families and close friends as we all pay our respects to our former Sovereign.
Civic engagements will be reconsidered and those that are deemed appropriately sober during the period of mourning will be attended as planned. Event organisers where it is not deemed appropriate to attend during the period of mourning will be contacted with apologies relayed from the Town Mayor.
Latest WSCC updates as we mourn Queen Elizabeth II
We join the nation in mourning the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
The government has announced that Monday 19 September, the date of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s State Funeral, will be a national bank holiday.
You can find more details about the bank holiday and the funeral on the government’s website here.
On the link below you’ll find local information about the bank holiday, including who you can contact at the county council if you need to. Please circulate this information to your residents.
On this link you can also see footage of the County Proclamation of the Accession of King Charles III which took place on Sunday on the steps of County Hall, Chichester.
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Books of condolenceA reminder that an online book of condolence has been opened on Buckingham Palace’s website at www.royal.uk. Your residents who do not have online access can post a message of condolence to the Chairman’s Office, Room 102, West Sussex County Council, County Hall, Chichester PO19 1RQ. Our 36 libraries across West Sussex can support anyone who would like to use a public computer to access the online book of condolence. If anyone would prefer to record a written message then we are able to collect these in our libraries and they will be collated with other written messages received by the Chairman of the County Council. |
Moment of National ReflectionA minute’s silence is to be held at 8pm on Sunday 18 September. Residents may wish to mark the silence privately at home, with friends and family, out on doorsteps or the street with neighbours, or at locally arranged community events and vigils On behalf of the people of West Sussex, the Chairman of the County Council will be sending a letter of heartfelt condolence to His Majesty King Charles III and the Royal Family on the death of Her Majesty, the Late Queen Elizabeth II. |
Local memories of the QueenHer Majesty The Queen visited West Sussex on many occasions and residents can view photos from some of these visits online. Other historic photos of the late Queen can be found on West Sussex Pictures by searching ‘Queen Elizabeth II’. |
Bereavement support
The passing of Queen Elizabeth II may be an emotional time for many.
Her Majesty had been a central part of our lives for so long and the period of national mourning is a chance to reflect on loved ones we’ve lost over the years.
How people experience grief, loss and bereavement is very personal, and ahead of the funeral, please let your residents know they can access a range of support:
- If people are deeply affected by the death of The Queen, they are not alone. Read more here from Cruse Bereavement Support.
- Residents can hear from Nicky Hitchcock from the As You Are Centre in Southwick on the stages of grief.
- Here are some ideas about having a conversation with someone who is recently bereaved from Hospice UK.
Rescheduled council meetings
The county council postponed formal meetings as a mark of respect following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, for the period of national mourning. This ends on Monday (19 September), following which all meetings will be held as usual and as published in the Council’s calendar of meetings.
Meetings which were postponed have been rescheduled as follows:
Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee: 23 September at 10.30am
Governance Committee: 27 September at 2.15pm
Performance and Finance Scrutiny Committee: Date to be confirmed. Check updates here.
Business due to be considered at the cancelled meeting of the Cabinet on 13 September is being rescheduled to its next meeting on 18 October.
Keeping in touch
Please share the information in this eNewsletter widely within your communities.
We welcome any comments or suggestions about the eNewsletter – email townandparishcouncilnews@westsussex.gov.uk.
For daily updates, residents can follow us on social media @WSCCNews and @WestSussexCC.
We are also now on Nextdoor, the app designed with communities in mind. Your residents can follow the link and join the conversation.
Thank you for your support.