Local churches toll their bells and open doors for quiet remembrance

A notice place on the door of St. Michael and All Angels

Churches across Chiswick have left their doors open to allow people to mark the death of Queen Elizabeth II in quiet remembrance.

This Friday (9 September), the sound of bells tolling could be heard across the area and there will be a series of special services this Sunday. Many churches have opened books of condolence for you to sign including Christ Church on Turnham Green and St Michael and All Angels in Bedford Park. You are also invited into most local churches to light a candle for the Queen.

The council has lowered the flags it flies at Chiswick Town Hall, as well as, Hounslow House, and books of condolence have been placed across public buildings in the borough to help residents pay their respects in writing although Chiswick Library was closed this Saturday.

Brentford and Isleworth MP Ruth Cadbury said, “At this saddest of times, I send the thoughts, prayers and condolences of my family and my constituents to the Royal Family.

“The Queen was first and foremost devoted to her family; her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and wider family. For over 70 years the Queen has been a constant in all our lives; a beacon of dedication and stability. She served graciously and tirelessly as our monarch and personified just what public service should be.”

Leader of Hounslow Council, Councillor Shantanu Rajawat, said, “Our late Sovereign, Queen Elizabeth the Second was the longest serving Monarch in this country’s history. She visited the Borough on several occasions during her reign and will be remembered with affection and gratitude by residents, as she will be by people across the country and indeed the globe.”

“The Queen’s devotion to public service was truly exemplary. Over a period in history that saw many momentous changes she provided a consistency that was invaluable to all living in our country. We owe her a tremendous debt of gratitude.”

Mayor of Ealing, Councillor Mohinder Midha, “On behalf of all the residents of Ealing, I wish to offer our condolences to His Majesty, King Charles III and members of the Royal family on the death of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.

“Flags on Ealing’s public buildings will be flown at half-mast and a book of condolence has been opened at Ealing Town Hall for those who wish to send messages of condolence. An online book of condolence has also been opened by the Royal Household."

Members of the public are invited to leave floral tributes in a special area at the front of Ealing Town Hall. Eventually, these will be turned into mulch and used as fertiliser within the borough’s parks and gardens. The book of condolence will be available every day at the Town Hall between 9am and 10pm, including at the weekend (but will close between 1-2.30pm on Sunday).

Cllr Gary Malcolm, councillor for Southfield and leader of the Ealing Democrat Opposition on Ealing Council said, “I am sure that we all feel shocked at the news of The Queen’s death. She was a rock for the country and the Commonwealth regardless of who ran the country. The @EalingLD pass on our condolences, and from the residents of Ealing, to the Royal Family. She will be sorely missed.”

Cllr Julian Gallant, the leader of the Conservatives in Ealing said, “Through the grief we smile at the example of this incredible life devoted to the people of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Our late Queen has been at the centre of one of the busiest periods of human history for longer than any other statesperson, worldwide. Just in Britain, her first Prime Minister was born in 1874; her last, whom she invited to take up post two days ago, was born in 1975!

“The Crown passes without a break to King Charles III, who succeeds to the throne in the same spirit of public service - that indefatigable interest in national life and making things better for everybody. Charles III will have our respect, support and love as he takes on the arduous task of modern monarchy.”

Back in June the children and staff of Belmont School had coloured pictures of Queen Elizabeth as part of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations and sent them to Buckingham Palace. The card thanking them arrived just a couple of hours before her death was announced.

An official proclamation will be made when the Mayor of Hounslow formally announces the death of the monarch and the accession of King Charles the Third to the throne. The local proclamation will be at Holy Trinity Church, Hounslow High Street on Sunday 11 September at 2.00pm. The proclamation in Ealing will be made on the steps of the Town Hall.

As part of the National Proclamation of the new monarch, flags are raised to full height from 11am on Saturday 10 September. The flags will then be lowered at 1pm on Sunday 11 September, an hour before the local Proclamation event. The flags will remain at half-mast until the day after the funeral.

September 10, 2022