Somerset remembers HRH Queen Elizabeth II
Tributes from across the county have been flooding in
Across Somerset, tributes have been pouring in for Her Majesty, who died earlier today.
Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset, Mark Shelford, has paid tribute to Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth II following the sad announcement of her death today.
PCC Shelford said: “Her Majesty the Queen has lived by her oath to spend every day of her life in the service of her people and has been an example to us all. Nobody could have done more to serve this country and the Commonwealth.
“As a young soldier of 19, I swore allegiance to The Queen and her family to protect this country. I deeply feel and share the sorrow felt by this united nation at the passing of our Commander in Chief.
“My thoughts and prayers are with her family.”
The following statement is from Chief Constable Sarah Crew, following the announcement that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has died
“We are deeply saddened by the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Her devotion and extraordinary public service have been a continual source of pride and inspiration to us all.
“On behalf of our officers, police staff and volunteers, we offer our heartfelt condolences to the Royal Family, as well as to the public we serve at this time of national mourning.
“Now is the time for communities to come together for a period of remembrance and reflection, as we pay our respects to a monarch who has faithfully and stoically served us during her historic reign.
“We will be flying our flag at half-mast across Avon and Somerset as a mark of respect at our Police Headquarters in Portishead, as well as other police locations.
“Memorial plans will be announced by local authorities in due course.
“A book of condolence is being set-up and details of how members of the public can sign it will be announced as soon as they have been finalised.”
Chair of Somerset County Council, Cllr Mike Best, said:
“On behalf of our residents, Somerset County Council offers deepest sympathies to the Royal family on the passing of Her Majesty The Queen.
“Details on books of condolence, church services, floral tributes and funeral arrangements will follow in due course.”
Annie Maw, Lord-Lieutenant of Somerset, said:
“Today we have lost one of the greatest people of our age. On behalf of the people of Somerset, I would like to offer my most sincere sympathy to her family who, we must remember, have lost a beloved, mother, grandmother and great grandmother.
“As a nation, we too, have lost a person without whom life will never be the same. We must now repay her trust by acting with the dignity and respect which she would have expected and which she deserves. During her long life she has set us an exemplary example of devoted service to us all within the Commonwealth. Against so many odds, her message has always been one of peace, unity and partnership.
“We have been immeasurably privileged to have her as our Queen and Sovereign for so many years. We now wish to welcome and support her son, Charles, as our King.
“From the people of Somerset, Long Live the King.”