Book of condolence opens in North East Lincolnshire
It's as people mourn the death of Queen Elizabeth II
Today a book of condolence has opened at Grimsby Town Hall as residents of North East Lincolnshire join the nation in mourning the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
Mayor Cllr Steve Beasant and the Leader of the Council, Cllr Philip Jackson officially declared the Book open at 10am today.
They invited residents to join them in adding their names to it. The Town Hall will be open Monday to Friday, 10am until 4pm.
A book at the Civic Centre in Immingham is also open at the same times and the Cleethorpes book will be open at the resort’s Town Hall on Monday from 10am.
An official Letter of Condolence signed by the Mayor, the Leader of the Council and the authority’s Deputy Chief Executive will be sent to King Charles III. Additional Books of Condolence are being opened across the Borough at different areas.
Union flags have been lowered across civic buildings in the borough and, aside from being raised ahead of the Proclamations, that will remain the case until after the funeral of Her Majesty, The Queen.
Meanwhile people are advised that floral tributes can be laid on the paved area outside the main doors at the south side of Grimsby Minster.
The Mayor, who shared his birthday with The Queen, was there this morning to lay his own tribute on behalf of the Borough. In Cleethorpes people are asked to lay any floral tributes at St Peter’s Church and in Immingham at the front of the Civic Centre building.
Cllr Jackson said:
“I share the thoughts of our whole nation today in paying a heartfelt tribute to Queen Elizabeth and what was a magnificent reign. It is a time of great sadness but also of reflection for us all both here in North East Lincolnshire and across the country.”
Both the Mayor and Cllr Jackson will be attending the Proclamation Ceremonies, which are likely to take place on the steps of Grimsby Town Hall and Cleethorpes Town Hall in the coming days. The Mayor will have travelled back from Lincoln where the county Proclamation will have taken place.
A special Service is also being planned at Grimsby Minster ahead of the funeral - with details yet to be confirmed.
Cleethorpes MP Martin Vickers has given this tribute
"The Queen has been a constant throughout the lives of most of us and her passing is very much the end of an era.
"Her Majesty was symbolic of our nation. Our differences are put to one side and we reflect on what binds us together; our sense of nationhood.
"Queen Elizabeth devoted her life to service, an example to all of us.
"We thank her for her life of service and now honour our King.
"God save the King."