National Mourning Guidance

Advice for businesses during national mourning

Following the announcement from Buckingham Palace of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, there are plans in place to allow the borough to pay tribute.

You may wish to use this as guidance for yourselves during this period of national mourning.

Condolence books

The Council’s condolence books will be open from 9am Friday 9 September 2022, and, as soon as practically possible, flower carpets will be made available for people to pay tribute. These can be found at the following locations.

• Chester Town Hall

• Chester Cathedral

• Northwich Memorial Court

• Wyvern House, in Winsford

• Civic Way, in Ellesmere Port Other books of condolence may be opened by town and parish councils and local religious places.

Messages can also be posted online at Send a message of condolence | The Royal Family

Flag raising

In line with national plans, flags at Council buildings will be raised to full mast at 11am on Saturday 10 September 2022, to coincide with the Reading of the Principal Proclamation.

The flags will continue to fly at full mast until 1pm on Sunday 11 September 2022. This is because the Proclamation, having been read in London on Proclamation Day, will then be read at Hillsborough, in Edinburgh and Cardiff on the day following Proclamation Day.

At 1pm Sunday 11 September 2022 the flags will be returned to half mast for the remainder of the mourning period.

Dates for the flag to be at full mast and half mast over forthcoming days will be as follows:

Local Proclamation Readings

The Cheshire proclamation takes place at 1pm on Sunday 11 September at Chester Town Hall. The High Sheriff of Cheshire will lead the service and all town and borough mayors from across the county of Cheshire, including in Halton, Warrington and Cheshire East, will be invited to attend. Local VIPs, members of the public and schools will also be invited to attend.

To facilitate the proclamation, the barrier outside Chester Town Hall will be closed for vehicles on Sunday 11th September 2022 from 10.30am until the completion of the event. Trinity Street will also be closed during this time period.

The borough’s towns proclamations will take place at 3pm on Sunday 11 September at the following locations:

• Ellesmere Port – outside the Civic Hall
• Neston – outside the Town Hall
• Northwich – outside Northwich Information Centre
• Winsford – outside Wyvern House

  Civic service

  A service of commemoration will take place at Chester Cathedral on Sunday 18 September 2022. Invitations to local VIPs will follow. You can watch the service online via this link https://youtu.be/yvGlNw-tNlQ

  The Cathedral is also hosting a Choral Evensong this evening (Friday 9 September). Members are welcome to join or can watch online here – https://youtu.be/p3- vBE6U6g0

  State funeral and public holiday

  There will be a national period of mourning from. Dates for this will be confirmed as soon as they are available. The funeral will be a state funeral and the day has been designated a public holiday. Service managers will be reviewing their services and what they will deliver during that period. Updates will follow

  Events during the mourning period

  National guidelines support the continued delivery of council business during this period. The Council will review which events, activities and Council meetings are scheduled to take place during the mourning period. Where public meetings do occur, a moment of silence will be held before the start of events, activities or Council meetings.

Dress code

It may be appropriate for black ties to be worn by civic leaders, senior officers and community leaders.

For more information and updates visit: cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk