Queen Elizabeth II: Tributes paid across Eastbourne

Mayor of Eastbourne, Councillor Pat Rodohan said: “The councillors and officers of Eastbourne Borough Council are deeply saddened at the news of the death of Her Majesty The Queen, Elizabeth II. Our thoughts are with the Royal Family at this time.

“A book of condolence will be opened at reception in the Town Hall. Here, the Union Flag is flying at half-mast and also at the bandstand.”

Flowers can be seen at the front of the Town Hall.

The proclamation ceremony took place on the steps of the Town Hall at 4pm on September 11. This traditional event takes place in towns and cities across the country to announce the accession which took place immediately after the Queen’s death. It represents one of the first occasions for people to gather and reflect on this moment in our nation’s history when the reign of our longest-serving monarch ended and our new sovereign succeeded. The fanfare was especially composed for the event by the Eastbourne Silver Band's music director, Marcus Plant.

Eastbourne Borough Council leader Councillor David Tutt said: "This is a very sad day for our country. The Queen gave a lifetime of dedicated service to this nation and earlier this year so many of us proudly celebrated her astonishing achievement of 70 years as monarch. My thoughts are with the Royal Family at this time."

Opposition leader Cllr Robert Smart said: “We are devastated to hear of our Queen’s passing. Our thoughts are with her family.”

Eastbourne MP Caroline Ansell said: “Although not unexpected in such advanced years, it is nonetheless a shock and I feel deeply moved. Our Queen has been a tower of strength and a constant in our national life for seven decades. My thoughts and prayers are for her family and her friends who will feel this most keenly but I know the grief at her loss will be felt across our land, the Commonwealth and the world.

“At her coronation in 1953, she said: ‘I declare before you all that my whole life whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service’. How magnificently our much loved Queen lived up to this coronation pledge, how deeply she will be mourned and how mightily she will be missed. Rest in peace Elizabeth Windsor.”

MP for Wealden Nus Ghani attended the House of Commons on September 10 to pay tribute to the Queen. She said: “I want to start by expressing my deepest sympathies for His Majesty the King and the entire Royal Family, from my family and the loyal constituents of Wealden. Our late Queen, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was loved and respected from the north of my constituency, the villages of Withyham and Eridge, down south to the towns of Hailsham. She was adored for her duty, loyalty and leadership here in the UK and the Commonwealth and across the world.”

HM Lord-Lieutenant of East Sussex Andrew Blackman said: "It is with great sadness that we mourn the death of Her Majesty The Queen who has given her whole life in service to our nation, and has touched the hearts of so many, here in East Sussex and across the world.

"Her commitment to duty and unwavering faith are unparalleled and I reflect on the delight and encouragement felt by so many on Her Majesty's regular visits to our county."

Town Mayor and chairman of Hailsham Town Council Cllr Paul Holbrook said: "Her Majesty's eventful and extraordinary life has without hesitation or falter, been dedicated to serving the people, and the Town Council wishes to pay tribute to her unflagging dedication, and selfless devotion to duty, as well as her deep level of commitment and generosity-of-spirit.

"Her Majesty lived a life of selfless devotion to the people of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth, and her passing is a cause for great sadness to each and every one of us. Furthermore, we recognise the very personal loss that members of the Royal Family are feeling at this difficult time.

St Wilfrid’s Hospice: “It is with deep sorrow that we learn about the death of Her Majesty the Queen. The longest-living and longest-reigning monarch, there is no doubt that she brought joy to all who met her. Everyone at St Wilfrid’s sends their deepest sympathies to the Royal Family at this sad time.”

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