Town’s plans to mourn the Queen are revealed
The sequence of events which will occur in Maidstone following the death of the Queen has been revealed.
Maidstone Borough Council chiefs have met four times over the last year to discuss an extensive 45-page plan for people to pay their respects, titled Operation London Bridge.
It outlines more than two weeks worth of protocols to follow.
The document reveals how mourners will be able to leave flowers in Brenchley Gardens and sign books of condolence at All Saints Church and the Town Hall for 11 days after the monarch’s death.
Staff will man the church and the park between 9am and 6pm, while a temporary CCTV camera could also be positioned there for additional security.
The council’s chief executive has already agreed overtime payments will likely be needed to ensure sufficient cover is provided over the weekends and office hours.
The government has urged councils to hold a number of events locally to encourage residents to pay their respects in their own communities, rather than travel to London.
Imm e d i a t e ly af t e r the announcement is made by Buckingham Palace, flags at the church and Town Hall will be reduced to half-mast and a letter from the council leader and chief executive will be sent to the Queen’s private secretary, asking that condolences be passed to the new sovereign.
The following day, the proclamation of the new monarch - most likely Prince Charles - will be made by St James’ Palace and flags will be raised to full-mast.
A day later, further proclamations will be made locally - first by the High Sheriff of Kent at County Hall, then by the Maidstone mayor, and then by parish councils, with flags returning again to half-mast.
Nine days after the death, an evening service will be held at All Saints, in Mill Street, before a state funeral the following day, which - if it falls on a weekday - will be declared a public holiday.
There will be two minutes silence at 11am and the document includes a number of suggestions on how to let the public know when the silent period begins and ends.
Among these is the launching of a large maroon rocket - which makes a loud bang and creates a bright flash, and is used by the RNLI to call lifeboat crews - from the Town Hall roof, though health and safety concerns for this method are noted in the report.
Instead, it is likely to be communicated vocally by the mayor over a PA system, while the end could be marked by a bugler from the 36 Engineers Regiment or the Salvation Army.
During public appearances the mayor will wear a black robe, not ceremonial red, and badges of office will be worn on black neck ribbons, rather than chains of offices.
A stock of black ties, mourning rosettes and black armbands will be available for councillors and senior officers to use.
On day 11, the book of condolences will close and flags will again be raised to full-mast.
Dead flowers will be removed from Brenchley Gardens and disposed of a week after the funeral, while arrangements will also be made to retain or dispose of personal messages.