Published Friday 9 September 2022 at 11:30
The Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen has led the tributes to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by signing the borough’s book of condolence.
As the borough’s first citizen, the Mayor was the first to sign the book of condolence this morning, in the Mayor’s Parlour at Blackburn Town Hall.
He was joined by Council Leader Coun Phil Riley and Chief Executive Denise Park, who also signed the book to pay their own respects.
The Mayor, Coun Suleman Khonat, said:
I am very saddened by the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Throughout her reign she governed with duty and dedication, a beloved and respected monarch in the United Kingdom and across the entire world.
It is an honour, as Mayor, to be the first to sign our local book of condolence. Everyone in our borough, from across our diverse communities, is now invited to sign the book of condolence to leave their own personal tributes. Throughout her 70 year reign, she touched the hearts of many and I know that people feel strongly and may welcome this opportunity to share messages of condolence.
The Queen will be greatly missed by all, I would like to extend my sincere condolences to the Royal Family.
Two books of condolence are now open for local residents to sign to pay their own tributes to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth: one at Blackburn Town Hall and another at Darwen Town Hall.
The public are welcome to come along to sign the books of condolence during usual office hours:
- Blackburn Town Hall: 8.45am to 5pm Monday to Friday
- Darwen Town Hall: 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday
Other ways to sign a book of condolence
An online book of condolence for Lancashire is also available to anyone who would like to sign it digitally. Visit https://lancashire.gov.uk/queen.
Blackburn Cathedral has also opened its own book of condolence. This is available for anyone to sign during normal cathedral opening hours:
- 9.15am to 5.30pm Tuesday to Saturday
- 9.15am to 5.00pm Sunday
Floral tributes
Anyone who would like to lay a floral tribute in memory of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has the opportunity to do so in both Blackburn and Darwen:
Blackburn: on the grassed area within the cathedral grounds
Darwen: on the grassed area within the Market Square (where Remembrance Day tributes are normally placed)
Filed under : book of condolence | Queen Elizabeth II