Muffled bells for Queen Mum's funeral

Books of condolence have been opened in the Town Hall, County Hall, Lewes and at St Mary's House, St Leonards Road, Eastbourne.

Letters of sympathy have been sent by the Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex,

Mrs Phyllida Stewart-Roberts, and county council chairman Cllr Michael Tunwell.

And as a mark of respect, Tuesday's scheduled county council meeting has been postponed.

The Queen Mother made only one official visit to Bexhill on December 12, 1935.

She accompanied her husband, then the Duke of York, who opened one of the most stunning pieces of architecture of its time The De La Warr Pavilion.

A bad head cold, blamed on that visit when icy winter winds were at their bleakest, made the Queen Mother vow never to return to the town. She kept her word.

She frequently visited Hastings but never Bexhill. Even as a near octogenarian, she sallied forth to Hastings twice in 1978 and 1979. In 1986 she again greeted Hastings and visited Rye in 1987. Bexhill was avoided.

Over the decades, the Queen and Prince Philip, Prince Charles and Princess Alexandra (twice) have visited Bexhill. But not the Queen Mother.

Now 67 years after her one and only visit it is too late.

One man who remembers that 1935 visit is Ken Igglesden, President of Bexhill's Royal Air Force Association and founder of the branch in 1946. Ken was a 12-year-old schoolboy at the time.

He said: "I can remember standing among the crowds waiting to see the Duke and Duchess as they opened the new pavilion.

"My mother had taken me to see the great event.

"I remember seeing the Duchess, as she was then, inside the pavilion.

"She waved to the crowds from behind the protection of the huge glass window on the first floor.

"We all cheered and I waved my Union Jack like mad. I was thrilled to be there, but I don't remember what I thought of the Duchess."

Town Mayor Councillor Joanne Gadd sent this message to the Queen: "Your Majesty, on behalf of the citizens of Bexhill-on-Sea may I send to Your Majesty our sincere sympathy and condolences on the recent death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.

"Queen Elizabeth led a lifetime of service that was an example to us all and she was much loved throughout our nation which will miss her greatly. A woman of grace and charm, her engaging smile will remain with us forever."