Posted on Friday 16th September 2022
Her Majesty the Queen
Staffordshire continues to mourn the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II ahead of her state funeral on Monday.
On Sunday at 8pm, there will be a national Minute of Reflection, with community gatherings taking place across Staffordshire and the UK.
People can find out about community events for the Minute of Reflection in their area on local district and borough council websites.
Stafford’s Shire Hall will be lit up in purple, a long associated royal colour, from Friday until Sunday.
Books of condolence will be open until 5pm on Tuesday and a national two-minute silence takes place on Monday at 11.55am.
Services to commemorate the Life of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will be held in Staffordshire, also on Sunday September 18.
One takes place at St Mary’s Church in Stafford town centre, the 12.30pm service is open to all. It will be led by the Prebendary Richard Grigson Rector of Stafford and the prayers will be led by the assistant curate, the Reverend Danny Payne.
Among those attending will be HM Lord-Lieutenant of Staffordshire Mr Ian Dudson CBE, who will make a reading; the High Sheriff of Staffordshire Ben Robinson MBE DL; the Chairman of Staffordshire County Council Paul Snape; and the Mayor of Stafford Borough Council, Philip Leason MBE JP.
A service will be held at Lichfield Cathedral at 3.30pm on Sunday. Staffordshire County Council Chairman Paul Snape will be attending and those involved in civic and public life in the Diocese of Lichfield.
On Sunday at 8pm at Lichfield Cathedral, a minute silence and outdoor vigil will be held and in Burntwood a minute silence and vigil will be observed at Chasetown Memorial Park, High Street, Chasetown. Everyone is welcome to attend the gatherings and are asked to arrive by 7.55pm.
In Newcastle, there will be a Service of Commemoration at St Giles Church, Church Street, at 10am and another at Stoke Minster, Glebe Street, Stoke-on-Trent at 6.30pm. The National Minute of Reflection will be marked at Stoke Cenotaph.
Staffordshire County Council leader Alan White said:
Across the county there will be various community events or services where people can take part in Sunday’s minute silence to remember Her Majesty.
Businesses, services and schools will be closed either for the full day or part of the day on Monday to enable as many people as possible to watch Her Majesty’s funeral.
I have taken great pride in witnessing how the people of Staffordshire have remembered and reflected on her life since we heard the news last Thursday.”
HM Lord-Lieutenant of Staffordshire Mr Ian Dudson CBE will attend HM Queen Elizabeth’s funeral at Westminster Abbey on Monday.
He said:
It will be an honour to attend Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s funeral and represent Staffordshire. People across the county and the world will be watching what will be a sombre yet historic and memorable occasion. Many people in Staffordshire will have fond memories of Her Majesty from her numerous visits here during her reign.”