BOOKS of condolence will be made available to sign across the borough following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
A National Condolence Online Book is also available at www.royal.uk
Oldham Council issued a statement tonight saying the local authority is “deeply saddened to hear of the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
“Our thoughts are with the Royal Family and we will be writing to Buckingham Palace to offer our condolences.
“We were honoured to have been visited by Queen Elizabeth on a number of occasions during her reign.
“Our Queen Elizabeth Hall was so-named after being built to mark the Silver Jubilee celebrations.
“Our new town centre park is also set to be named in honour of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.”
As a mark of respect the Union Flag has been lowered to half-mast at all council buildings.
The Mayor will be reading out the Proclamation of the new King on the steps of Oldham Parish Church on Saturday, September 10 at 1.30pm. Members of the public are invited to attend.
Other Books of Condolence are available to sign at: Oldham Civic Centre; Trinity Methodist Church in Royton; Chadderton Town Hall; St Chad’s Library, Uppermill and Failsworth Library.
The Mayor, Councillor Elaine Garry, will be cancelling all her Civic engagements as a mark of respect, until after the Queen’s funeral. She will also lay a floral tribute at Oldham Civic Centre.
The Lord Mayor of Manchester and Council Leader have also paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II.
Lord Mayor of Manchester Councillor Donna Ludford said: “The city of Manchester shares the nation’s sorrow at the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, but also the sense of gratitude for her long reign and service to the nation.
“On behalf of all Mancunians, I send condolences to the Royal Family for their loss as we prepare to extend our support to the next monarch.”
Cllr Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “Queen Elizabeth II has been the national figurehead for as long as most of us can remember, a symbol of continuity and stability through changing and sometimes turbulent times.
“We remember her visits to the city over the years, both on happy occasions such as when she opened the 2002 Commonwealth Games, and celebrated her Diamond Jubilee in 2012, and darker moments such as when she helped comfort young people injured in the 22 May 2017 terror attack at Manchester Arena.
“She served the nation with incredible dedication and dignity. On behalf of all Mancunians, we share the nation’s sorrow and extend our condolences to the Royal Family and the whole country.”
The flag on Central Library has been lowered to half-mast as a mark of respect to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The flag will remain in place up to 8am the day after the State Funeral.
The Queen’s Books of Condolence will be open to visitors in the Reading Room of Central Library from 9am to 6pm, Monday to Sunday until the day following the funeral.
More information about how Manchester will commemorate Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II can be found on the Council’s website.