Tributes paid to HM Queen Elizabeth II

People, organisations and charities across the region have paid tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who has died at the age of 96.

Buckingham Palace made the announcement earlier this evening, and since then people from across the world have paid tribute to her lifelong commitment and remarkable dedication to the United Kingdom and The Commonwealth.

A number of flags located around South Lakeland will be flown at half-mast until 8am on the day following the State Funeral, except while the proclamation of the new King is made.

Condolence books will also be situated around Cumbria in key community buildings. The list of locations will be available shortly via the Cumbria County Council website. Condolence can also be left online on the Buckingham Palace e-Book, which can be found on the Buckingham Palace website.

The official proclamation will be made at St James’s Palace tomorrow, then at the Royal Exchange in the City of London.

The following day the proclamation will be made in Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast before being cascaded to county, city, district and parish level.

In Cumbria, the County proclamation will be held in Carlisle, followed by district proclamations in Barrow, Carlisle, Kendal, Penrith, Whitehaven and Workington.

A proclamation will be made in South Lakeland outside Kendal Town Hall.

Details of exact timings will be confirmed shortly and residents and any visitors to South Lakeland are advised to visit the South Lakeland District Council (SLDC) or Cumbria County Council websites for more details.

The laying of flowers in South Lakeland is suggested to take place at:

* Queens Park in Windermere
* Ford Park and Lightburn Park in Ulverston
* Rothay Park in Ambleside
* The Glebe in Bowness
* Kendal Parish Church – on grass to the right of path from Kirkland
* Kendal Abbott Hall

It is preferred that no cellophane wrappers be left with the flowers, if possible. Further details regarding the laying of flowers can be found on the Cumbria County Council website.

Councillor Jonathan Brook, Leader of South Lakeland District Council, led the South Lakeland tributes.

He said: “South Lakeland joins the rest of the country, and the world, in remembering a Queen who has been an inspirational figurehead for so many years. Our sympathy goes out to her family for their personal loss.

“Her Majesty the Queen will always have a very special place in the hearts and minds of the people of South Lakeland.

“She was a frequent visitor to Cumbria and it was always our great pleasure to welcome her whenever she came to South Lakeland.

“As well as being our longest reigning monarch Queen Elizabeth has always shown great leadership and courage and always displayed a set of values that we could all aspire to.

“She was kind, considerate, caring and constant to her own principles in life. She put our country and the needs of its people above all else and as such was rewarded with unswerving loyalty and commitment from those who knew her, those who supported her and even those who were not supporters of the monarchy as even they could not fail to respect her.

“We are fortunate that her successor, Prince Charles has long been a supporter of our county and we know our area has a special place in his heart. We hope that as our new Monarch, this special relationship will continue to develop and grow.’’

Councillor Matthew Severn, Vice Chairman of South Lakeland District Council, added his tribute: “This is indeed a sad day and a day of national, and international mourning.

“Her Majesty the Queen was an inspiration to so many and her tenure has been truly incredible with her reign being recognised as the longest and greatest that this country has ever seen.

“I want to pass on my sympathy, and the sympathy of the district of South Lakeland, to the Royal family who we must also think of at this time of great personal loss. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth will be sadly missed and will be recorded as one of the most remarkable monarchs that this country has ever seen.”

On hearing of Her Majesty’s passing, Chief Constable Michelle Skeer said: “It is with great sadness that we learnt of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II today. There is a sombre mood across the force and on behalf of everyone at Cumbria Constabulary, I send our deepest condolences to The Royal Family at this incredibly sad time.

“As Crown Servants, it is a particularly poignant moment for the policing family. We will remember her for the example she set in her role serving the public.

“Flags at Cumbria Constabulary’s premises will now be flown at half-mast to mark the national period of mourning.

“We are now preparing to support our communities over the coming days as we come together to remember Her Majesty.”

The Mayor of Lancaster, Councillor Joyce Pritchard, has paid tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

The Mayor said: “We are all today united in grief. For 70 years the Queen has been an unwavering symbol of strength and stability for the nation.

“During her reign the UK underwent significant change, both socially and technologically, throughout which she stood above the fray providing unparalleled guidance and friendship to us all.

“More locally we shared a special bond with her as the Duke of Lancaster. There can be no better example of the love felt towards her than the sight of the streets being filled with well-wishers every time she visited the district.”

Books of condolence to enable local people to express their sympathy will be placed at both Lancaster and Morecambe Town Halls, which will be open from 9am – 5pm tomorrow and subsequent weekdays, and 10am-4pm on Saturday. The Union Flag has been lowered to half mast at both buildings.

Details of further condolence events marking Her Majesty’s passing will be announced in due course.

As a mark of respect, Blackpool Council has confirmed the Illuminations will not be switched on this evening.