Ashford Borough Council expresses sympathy on the death of Her Majesty The Queen
Ashford Borough Council would like to convey our sincerest condolences to the Royal Family on the sad passing of Her Majesty The Queen.
It is with deep sorrow that His Majesty The King announced the death of his beloved mother on Thursday 8 September 22.
Message from the Mayor of Ashford
A message from Her Worshipful, The Mayor of Ashford, Councillor Jenny Webb on the sad news:
“Members and officers of Ashford Borough Council and residents across our borough share the sentiments of loss and sorrow felt all over the world at the passing of such an eminent patriot, whose life has been devoted to the service of her country and the Commonwealth as well as advocating peace and the importance of nations working together.
“She has been our great constant. Throughout her 70-year reign, while every aspect of our lives has changed, her dedicated duty, her decency and her dignity have provided an unending source of stability, reassurance and comfort.
“We offer our most sincere condolences to the Royal family at this most difficult time and will mourn the loss of our Head of State, great Ambassador for the United Kingdom, unifier of the Commonwealth and a leader admired and revered across the globe. Her place in history is surely secured as one of the greatest monarchs in history.”
Flag
The Union Flag outside the Civic Centre building in Tannery Lane, Ashford, TN23 1PL is being flown at half-mast as a mark of respect. In line with flag protocol, we have moved the Union Flag to the flagpole nearest the Civic Centre. Civic buildings with multiple flagpoles deem the flagpole nearest to the building as the most important and therefore, at the time of mourning when only one flag is flown, this is the flagpole it must be flown from.
From 9 September, a period of national mourning begun and will continue for 10 days until the day of the State Funeral on 19 September.
Floral tributes in Ashford and Tenterden
Arrangements have been made for floral tributes to be displayed in the Memorial Gardens in Ashford, with Ashford Borough Council Leader Cllr Gerry Clarkson and Chief Executive Tracey Kerly paying their own tribute on behalf of the Council.
Please note: The floral tributes will close on Tuesday 20 September at 5pm.
Our Aspire team will start to remove the dead and dying flowers this week and they will be recycled. Those messages not damaged by the recent rainfall will be collected and added to the Book of Condolence messages.
Floral tributes for Tenterden can be laid near the Tenterden War Memorial. For more details on how residents in Tenterden can leave a floral tribute please visit the Tenterden Town Council website.
Book of condolences
We know that many of you will wish to pay your personal tributes to Her Majesty The Queen and a book of condolence is open at the Civic Centre.
Tributes can be left Monday to Friday during the hours of 9am-5pm, or over the weekend during 11am-2.45pm. The book of condolence is open until 5pm on Tuesday 20 September.
A book of condolence will be open in Tenterden Town Hall from 9am on Monday, 12 September. There is also a book of condolence located in St. Mildred's Church.
You can also sign the online book of condolence on the Royal Family website.
|
Town/Parish/Community Council |
Location/Opening Times (if known) |
|---|---|
|
Boughton Aluph and Eastwell Parish Council |
Saint Christopher’s Church, Faversham Road, Boughton Lees during daylight hours until the end of Monday 19 September |
| Brabourne Parish Council |
Brabourne Church and Brabourne Baptist Church |
| Challock Parish Council |
St Damian and St Cosmos Church, Challock |
| Egerton Parish Council |
St James Church |
| High Halden Parish Council |
St Mary’s Church |
| Kenardington Parish Council |
Kenardington Village Hall 5:00pm - 6:00pm from Monday 12th until Friday 16th September and from 10:00am to 11:00am on Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th September |
|
Kingsnorth Parish Council |
The reception area of Kingsnorth Recreation Centre, Field View, Kingsnorth, Ashford, Kent, TN23 3NZ. Monday to Thursday 6:00pm to 9:00pm Friday 6:00am to 1:00pm Saturday & Sunday 8:00am to 1:00pm If residents wish to leave floral tributes in the Parish, they can do so on Kingsnorth Village Green. |
| Mersham Parish Council |
Mersham Church |
| Pluckley Parish Council
|
St Nicholas Church |
|
South Willesborough and Newtown Community Council |
Baxendale Court TN240PT - the foyer of the residents lounge 10:00am – 2:00pm and 5:00pm - 9:00pm |
| Smeeth Parish Council
|
Smeeth Church |
| Tenterden Town Council |
Tenterden Town Hall from 9:00am St. Mildred's Church |
|
Wye with Hinxhill Parish Council |
Parish Church between 9:00am and 5:00pm |
Local Proclamation on the accession of a new Sovereign
On Sunday, 11 September 2022, the Mayor of Ashford Cllr Jenny Webb led a short service at 3pm outside the Civic Centre where she read the Proclamation on the accession of a new Sovereign. You can watch an edited version of the service below. Read the Proclamation in full online [pdf] 74KB.
On Monday 12 September, a service was held at 4pm by Tenterden Town Council, in which the Town Mayor of Tenterden read out the Proclamation from the Town Hall balcony.
National Moment of Reflection
A National Moment of Reflection took place at 8pm on Sunday 18 September, with a one-minute silence which Ashford Borough Council observed.The National Moment of Reflection offered the opportunity to mourn the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and reflect on her life and legacy.As no specific Civic Event was held by the Council, residents had the opportunity to join in at home either on doorsteps, on the street with neighbours, or via a local community event.
For more information about the funeral arrangement please visit the Royal Family website.
Image Gallery
Click on the image to enlarge.
The Queen's Green Canopy
Following the death of Her Majesty The Queen, and the wishes of His Majesty The King, The Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC) initiative will be extended to the end of March 2023 to give people the opportunity to plant trees across the borough in memoriam to honour Her Majesty. For more details visit our News Hub.
