Dudley mourns the death of Queen Elizabeth II
Flags are flying at half-mast across Dudley today as a mark of respect following the death of Her Majesty the Queen.
While the nation mourns, Dudley Council will be providing ways for residents to acknowledge this loss. Books of condolence will be available to sign shortly, while services of remembrance are planned.
Mayor of Dudley, Councillor Sue Greenaway:
We are greatly saddened to hear of the death of our Queen and on behalf of myself, Dudley Council and the people of Dudley borough, I would like to send our heartfelt condolences to the royal family at this time. Queen Elizabeth II was a dedicated public servant, whose unfailing devotion to her country was evident throughout her reign.
The borough is proud to have welcomed the Queen on three occasions during her reign; in 1957 as part of a tour of Staffordshire and Worcestershire, in 1977 as part of the celebrations to mark her Silver Jubilee and finally in 1994 when she opened the new visitor centre at Dudley Zoo.
As a mark of respect, we will be flying the Union Flag at half-mast, and books of condolence will be available to sign in the Council House and at borough libraries.”
Kevin O’Keefe, chief executive, Dudley Council, said:
We, at Dudley Council are immensely saddened to hear of the death of her Majesty the Queen and on behalf of myself and the people of Dudley borough I would like to send our sincere condolences to the royal family at this difficult time.
For so many of us, the Queen was part of our own collective history, having lived through and sharing so many key events. We were particularly fortunate to have welcomed the Queen to our borough on three separate occasions, in 1957 on a tour of Staffordshire and Worcestershire, then again in 1977 to mark her Silver Jubilee, and one final time in 1994 when she opened the new visitor centre at Dudley Zoo.
We will be commemorating the Queen with a memorial service, details of which will be available over the coming days. Together, as a borough we can pay worthy tribute to our much-loved and respected monarch.
Councillor Patrick Harley, leader of Dudley Council, said:
This is a sad day for our nation, to lose our longest ever reigning monarch who was absolutely devoted to her country.
We are so fortunate to have had a monarch who has lived through so much history with us and is for most of us the only monarch we have ever known. Our thoughts are with the royal family at this time, and we will be commemorating the Queen through our own memorial service, books of condolence and by flying the flag at half-mast.
Keep up to date with council commemorations at www.dudley.gov.uk