CONDOLENCE books and the laying of flowers are all available to residents of Stratford district wishing to pay their own personal tribute to Her Majesty, the late Queen Elizabeth II.
As the country falls into a period of ten days of mourning, ahead of the Queen’s state funeral, councils and other pivotal organisations in the area are marking this sad time in their own way. They are also providing channels for a public outpouring locally.
The flag at Stratford District Council’s (SDC) headquarters, Elizabeth House, has been lowered to half-mast and will remain in that position until 8am on the day after the funeral.
From today (Friday), a public book of condolence will be open at Elizabeth House between 9am and 5pm in the main reception every weekday.
Those wishing to lay flowers are directed to do so on the Bancroft Gardens around the Swan Fountain. Flowers will be left until the day before the funeral, when they will be moved to the Garden of Remembrance in College Street, Old Town.
A book of condolence is also available to sign at Holy Trinity Church in Stratford. The church advises checking their website at www.stratford-upon-avon.org for opening times.
The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) has advised that ticket holders for upcoming performances should check the RSC website rsc.org.uk for updates, such as changes to, or cancellations, of future performances.
The RSC also announced it will be organising a public screening of the funeral in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. This will be a ticketed event open to everyone. Details are to be confirmed in due course.
The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust will offer free entry to the Great Garden of New Place for those seeking a place to reflect on the day of the funeral. The wider New Place will be closed to paying visitors on this day.
The Proclamation will be read by the Chairman of the District Council from the balcony of the Town Hall at 2pm on Sunday (September 11).
Flags are flying at half mast at Shire Hall council offices in Warwick. Members of the community are also invited to sign an online book of condolences set up by Warwickshire County Council (WCC) or alternatively there is a condolence book available at Shire Hall to sign in person.
This condolence book will be kept in WCC’s archives for future generations to read, along with passing it to the Palace in due course. Chairman of the Council, Coun Dave Humphreys, will be writing to the Royal Family offering the council’s condolences.
While the county’s places of worship are open as a place for reflection.
