Stoke-on-Trent to host public service for Queen Elizabeth II
Residents are invited to join civic leaders on Sunday
Stoke-on-Trent is to hold an official public service to commemorate the life and reign of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
The service, which is open to all residents, will take place on the eve of the funeral, at 6.30pm on Sunday 18 September at Stoke Minster.
It will be followed by the observation of the national moment of reflection at Stoke Cenotaph at 8pm.
A short, formal procession with civic leaders will take place from Stoke Town Hall to Stoke Minster at 6.25pm. The procession will be led by high-ranking civic dignitaries including the High Sheriff of Staffordshire, Ben Robinson MBE DL; Deputy Lieutenant of Staffordshire Pippa Gee; Stoke-on-Trent Lord Mayor Faisal Hussain; and Deputy Lord Mayor Lesley Adams.
A city in mourning
As a mark of the city’s mourning, the ceremonial mace will be draped in black, and the Lord Mayor will wear the city’s chain of office with a black ribbon.
The one-hour-long commemoration is open to the public and will be led by Rector of Stoke, Canon Andrew Wickens. Following the service, the procession will return to Stoke Town Hall, ahead of the national moment of reflection to be observed at the cenotaph.
Residents who would like to pay their respects ahead of the state funeral, which will be held at Westminster Abbey, on Monday 19 September at 11am, are encouraged to sign the book of condolences held at the King’s Hall, in Stoke Town Hall.
Lord Mayor Faisal Hussain said: “ The commemoration service is an opportunity for the city to come together to remember and reflect on the life and public service of our country’s greatest ambassador.
“On behalf of the city of Stoke-on-Trent, our deepest condolences and prayers are with the members of the Royal Family.”
Council leader Abi Brown said: “As a city we will mourn the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and pay our thanks for her dedication to the nation.
“We have immense civic pride in the response from residents across the city who have already been paying their respects by way of signing the book of condolences and laying floral tributes. We have put arrangements in place so that residents can continue to pay their respects during the period of mourning, and we would welcome residents in joining the commemoration service and the observation of the national moment of reflection.”
The condolence book is available daily between 9am-5pm up to and including Saturday 17 September, and will be again on the day after the funeral on Tuesday 20 September, as the national period of mourning draws to a close.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council have informed us that the city’s flags will continue to fly at half-mast until next Tuesday.