East Grinstead Town Council Official Statement
Continue to the East Grinstead Town Council website
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.
Statement issued by the Town Mayor on the announcement of the death of Queen Elizabeth II
The East Grinstead Town Councillors and Staff are deeply saddened to hear the announcement of the death of Her Majesty. I will be writing to the Palace to express our condolences in the coming days.
As a mark of respect, the Union and Town Flags will be flown at half-mast until the day of the funeral. On Proclamation Day (Saturday 10th) the flags will be returned to full mast from the point of the National Proclamation in London of the New King, at 11.00 am and lowered again at 15.00 on Sunday 11th. On Sunday all are welcome to attend a church service at St Swithun’s Church at 12:00 noon and then at 15:00 the Proclamation will be read on the terraces at the rear of East Court Mansion.
An official book of condolence from the Town will be set up from Friday 9th September at East Court and is available for the public to sign with messages of condolence from 10.00 – 16.00 Monday to Friday and on the day of the funeral. 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 will be an online link from the Town Council’s website to the National Book of Condolence maintained by Buckingham Palace.
On its closure, the hard copy it will be sent away for binding and then kept here as an official record. My letter of condolence will indicate this fact for the palace records.
Other books may be opened in other public buildings.
Floral tributes that the public wish to lay should be taken to the wall of remembrance at Mount Noddy Cemetery. The Town Mayor has laid a wreath from the Council.
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. I hope that I will be able to attend a later event for your organisation.
This is a sad time for the Country as a whole, residents of East Grinstead are encouraged to share their feelings with others, use the books of condolence and attend the civic service.
Cllr Adam Peacock
Town Mayor
Sign the book of condolences | Continue to the East Grinstead Town Council website
For more information contact Town Clerk Julie Holden phone 01342 323636 or email j.holden@eastgrinstead.gov.uk