THE communities of Barrow's borough join the nation in mourning following news of the death of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.
Leaders at Barrow Borough Council today share their deepest sympathies with the Royal Family for their loss.
The Union Flag shall fly at half mast from Barrow Town Hall as a mark of respect and the building will be bathed in purple light from Friday (9) onwards.
Books of condolence shall be opened at The Forum from 10am on Friday 9th September as well as at Barrow Library. Flowers can be left at the Cenotaph, in Barrow Park, though cellophane wrappers should be removed if possible.
In accordance with royal tradition, a proclamation in Cumbria will first be read out on Sunday 11th September in Carlisle. This will take place at 12.10pm. Members of the public are invited to hear an official proclamation of the death of Queen Elizabeth which will be read out following this from Barrow Town Hall - outside the Duke Street entrance - at 12.30pm.
The Queen made a number of visits to Barrow spanning a period of more than 60 years and always drawing crowds of delighted visitors and onlookers. These visits often coincided with key moments in the borough’s social and industrial history.
HRH The Queen visited Barrow Town Hall itself in 1956 along with her late husband The Duke of Edinburgh. She returned in 1960 for the official launch of Dreadnought - the UK’s first nuclear submarine - a pivotal moment in the industrial heritage of the borough, and again in 1971 when she opened Barrow Indoor Market.
In 1977, during her Silver Jubilee year, Queen Elizabeth travelled to the town for the launch of the aircraft carrier HMS Invincible.
The completion of the brand new Furness General Hospital, in Dalton Lane, marked another visit for the Monarch in 1985, while she made a return with the Duke of Edinburgh in 1998 for the official naming of HMS Ocean as well as a visit to the Abbey Road offices of the North West Evening Mail and the Nelson Street Community Centre.
Councillor Ann Thomson, Barrow Borough Council leader, said the loss of the Sovereign would be keenly felt by all those who live and work in the borough.
“On behalf of Barrow Borough Council, our residents and business community, I extend my deepest sympathies to the family of Queen Elizabeth - an inspirational leader who has shown a peerless dedication and duty to her people and the Crown as the longest reigning monarch in history.
“Her loss is immeasurable and will be profoundly felt around the world.
“Barrow forged strong links with Her Majesty resulting in a number of visits over the decades. These visits often marked significant moments in our social or industrial heritage for which we shall be forever grateful.”
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth ascended to the throne on February 6, 1952 at the age of 25. Her Coronation took place at Westminster Abbey on June 2, 1953. She became the longest serving monarch in the world.
As well as her visits to Barrow and Furness, Queen Elizabeth travelled to Cumbria and the Lake District often.
Her love of horses also saw her riding regularly into her 90s through Great Windsor Park and at Balmoral aboard her native Cumbrian Fell pony, Carltonlima Emma.
Sam Plum, Barrow Borough Council chief executive, described HRH The Queen as a remarkable leader whose reign would be characterised by her unfaltering duty and service to her people, the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.
“The loss of Her Majesty The Queen is an extremely poignant moment in our history and we share our condolences with the royal family on behalf of our community.
“Her dedication and years of service are truly humbling and we are proud to have welcomed her to Barrow on multiple occasions over the years.
“Our flag shall fly at half mast from Barrow Town Hall as we pay our respects during this time of national mourning.”
ENDS
Further information: Members of the public who wish to leave flowers are asked to place them at The Cenotaph in Barrow Park, if possible without cellophane wrapping.
Flag protocol
Day of Death – Flags are to be lowered to half-mast immediately.
Official Proclamation Day (Saturday) - The day when the new Sovereign is proclaimed in London. Flags will start the day by flying half-mast until 1100hrs when they will be flown at full mast to coincide with the reading of the Principal Proclamation.
County/District Proclamation Day (Sunday) – Flags will remain at full mast while the proclamations are read in Belfast, Edinburgh and Cardiff, followed by the reading of the County and District proclamations.
Day following the State Funeral - Flags will remain at half-mast until 8am.
The flags are lowered as a mark of respect to the passing of HM The Queen. This shows a period of national mourning and sadness. The flags will be raised for two days while the Proclamations take place. Raising the flags marks a 'celebration' of the incoming sovereign. However, once the proclamations are complete the flags are returned to half-mast. Again this is to signify that the country is still in a period of official mourning. This remains until the day after the state funeral, when flags will be flown at full mast again from 8am.