COMMUNITY leaders from Redditch have issued their condolences to the Royal family after the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
Chief Executive of Redditch Borough Council, Kevin Dicks, said: “The Councillors and Officers of Redditch Borough Council are deeply saddened at the news of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth ll. Our thoughts go out to the Royal Family at this very sad time.
“We know that the residents of Redditch Borough will want to share their condolences, memories and tributes to The Queen as a sign of mourning. Appropriate arrangements have been made for a condolence book, floral tributes, and ceremonial events to take place over the coming days.
“Details of these arrangements will be available on our website and will be updated as and when they are confirmed, so please keep checking.
“God bless The Queen; may she rest in peace.”
Mayor of Redditch Coun Ann Isherwood: “On behalf of the council and residents of Redditch Borough, I would like to share my heartfelt sympathies for the Royal Family at this sad time. We are shocked and upset by the loss of our Sovereign, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth ll, may she rest in peace.
“I urge those who wish to share the burden of this loss to look out for details of arrangements, which will be released shortly, so that we can all do this as a community.
“The passing of Her Majesty the Queen is a great loss to our country.”
The Union Flag will be flown at half-mast and a book of condolence will be opened at the Town Hall for the community to share their feelings at this sad time.
Please leave your floral tributes on the Bandstand at Church Green.
St Stephen’s Vicar and Town Centre Chaplain Rev Canon Paul Lawlor said: “The death of Her Majesty the Queen is a sad moment for us and we share together in our thoughts and prayers for our new King, his Consort and the Royal Family.
“Our Queen has been a huge presence in the life of our nation and for the Commonwealth.
“Her life has been one of dedication to the people of the nation.
“She has also spoken of how her Christian Faith has been a fundamental part of her life.
“As we grieve her passing may we be inspired by her faith and dedication to duty.
Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labour, for their deeds will follow them.” Rev 14.13.
“May Queen Elizabeth rest in peace and rise in glory.”
St Stephen’s will be open for prayer and reflection over the coming days and a book of condolence will be available.
Redditch MP Rachel Maclean said: “We mourn the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II who has been the rock of our nation and a living example of British values. She has been a light for the whole world.
“I pray for her eternal rest and my thoughts and prayers are with her family. God Save King Charles III.”
Redditch Borough Council leader Coun Matt Dormer said the Queen’s lifetime of dedication to this country, her people, and the Commonwealth is “impossible to put into words.”
“She has been a constant throughout all our lives, providing hope, strength and unity through some of the country’s toughest times.
“Her standards and values made her the Queen she was, and it is these hallmarks that must continue to guide us.
“On behalf of the people of Redditch I simply want to say ‘thank you.’
“Thank you for your service, your dedication, and most of all for your unwavering commitment to your people.
”On this, the saddest day for our country, my thoughts are with the Royal Family.”
