‘The Queen represented the best of the country for 70 years’
This week, artists, scholars, statesmen and clergymen from across Bath have made personal tributes to the Queen who visited our city many times, including for her Silver Jubilee year in 1977 and for her Golden Jubilee in 2002.
Artist Katie O’brien is the founder and director of 44AD Artspace gallery in Abbey Street.
“I had such respect for the Queen and her absolute commitment in serving her country – she was a wonderful role model,” she said.
“I’m so glad she got to celebrate her Platinum Jubilee and know just how loved and appreciated she was.
“At 44AD we look forward to continuing our work alongside the Bath and District Royal Commonwealth Society, to promote their Bath Artists’ Prize and the values that they share.”
Bathonian Simon Lydiard, fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and a former leader of the Labour Group on Bath City Council, said: “Queen Elizabeth represented the best of public service.
“She was selfless and dedicated the entirety of her long life to the service of the nation.
“She did so with an increasing twinkle in her eye – especially when entertaining Paddington Bear for tea.”
Accomplished pharmacy researcher and PHD student at Bath University Sharareh Houshmandyar, originally from Iran, appreciated the fact that we had a strong female role model.
“Coming from a country where only men can be in power to a country in which a woman stood with her people with her heart was like a Disney dream for me,” she said.
“I felt more powerful that I’m blessed to have another nationality under Her Majesty who was like the UK’S mother. Now losing her is a big shock for me and anyone like me who made a journey such as this.”
Art student Tenzin from Tibet, who studies at Bath Spa University felt that the “sky was crying”.
“I learned of the Queen’s death through my cousin who is in Italy on September 8, half an hour after it occurred, and my first reaction was shock and couldn’t believe,” she said.
“She was an amiable and admirable woman and when I think of her, I think of her as a woman with grey hair, a kind face and a sense of humour that transcended boundaries.
“After learning about her life, one is struck by the commitment, resilience, grace and humour she displayed in countless moments throughout her life.
“The sky was grey that day, the rain kept falling and I thought to myself that the sky was crying.
“In a world where many people live and live and live and live, it becomes a faith, a symbol, it doesn’t matter what she does, as long as she lives and lives and has thoughts in her heart, the Queen should be faith to many British people, and I have my own.
“I can’t imagine what a catastrophe it would be if faith suddenly crumbled, it would be heartbreaking.
“I hope the Queen can rest in peace and I hope we can all move on from our grief.
“As a foreigner, I don’t know exactly how the British monarchy works, but as far as I’m concerned, it’s unbelievable that a monarchy still exists in the 21st century, but it’s also interesting, it’s like watching an old British movie,” said Tenzin.
“Maybe it’s to maintain political stability, but for me as a foreigner it’s very unique, the British royal family is like a kind of British brand, when you talk about Britain you think of the monarchy that still exists, the royal family, castles, queens, princesses, kings, princes, words that only appear in fairy tales, it’s still very interesting for tourists, and I’m curious what the local people think.”
Bath’s MP Wera Hobhouse said: “This is devastating news for the country.
“The Queen was a loyal and committed stateswoman who represented the best of the country for 70 years. The reaction shows in what massive esteem the Queen is held.
“Her legacy will live on as a fantastic head of state and the longest serving monarch in the world.
“The Queen represented duty and courage, as well as warmth and compassion. She was a living reminder of our collective past, of the greatest generation and their sacrifices for our freedom.
“My thoughts are with Her Majes
The sky was grey that day, the rain kept falling and I thought to myself that the sky was crying Bath Spa art student Tenzin
The Queen always had a great deal of time for all of those she met and I remember vividly talking to her at Buckingham Palace many years ago on the exploits of her many grandchildren. An amazing lady
Godfrey Hall
ty’s family at what must be an impossibly difficult time.”
The mayor of the West of England, Dan Norris, said: “It has been a momentous few days for our region and nation.
“The death of Her Majesty the Queen is also a significant, though not such a private, personal loss for the royal family and our thoughts are with them.
“We all know personal grief from our own experiences and so appreciate the particular demands on our new King at this challenging time.”
The countries and peoples who made up the empire and who now make up the commonwealth have had a nuanced and at times complicated relationship with the monarchy and equally with Queen Eliz
abeth, but not so the Bath and District Commonwealth Society, an educational charity that aims to “promote international understanding” through the Commonwealth.
Godfrey Hall, chairperson of the society, said: “The Queen was an extremely charismatic person and always made you feel at ease.
“Through my work with the
Royal Commonwealth Society I met her several times at Buckingham Place and elsewhere.
“She always had a great sense of humour and was able to connect with young people from all over the Commonwealth.
“I know that my many friends around the Commonwealth would join me in saying that she will be sorely missed.
“In recent years three of our students from Bath were lucky enough to have lunch with her and came away with fond memories of the event.
“The Queen always had a great deal of time for all of those she met and I remember vividly talking to her at Buckingham Palace many years ago on the exploits of her many grandchildren. An amazing lady!”
At Bath Islamic Centre, worshipers remembered how the Queen devoted her life to public service and pursued unity among the diversity of British communities.
“We are saddened by the passing of Her Majesty,” said Dr Mohammed Gamal Abdelnour. “What brings some solace, however, is that King Charles III is devoting his life to the same causes to which Her Majesty devoted her life.
“I was honoured to have met him in 2018 to offer reflections on ways of promoting religious tolerance and countering extremism.”
The minister of one of Bath’s most iconic churches will long remember when she heard the news of the Queen’s passing. At 6.35pm last Thursday, Rev Lore Chumbley of Christ Church, Julian Road, who is also a doctor received a text from a member of her team: “Should we open the church?”
Lore was nonplussed and replied with a single question mark.
“Ah. See the news,” came the reply.
“I checked the news,” said Rev Lore, “and by five past seven we had the church open, candles lit and music playing, ready to welcome in anyone who had heard the news and needed somewhere to go and be quiet.
“Not many came, but for those few the church provided an oasis of calm and refreshment. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was defined by integrity.
“It ran through her and sparkled in those blue eyes and in her smile.
“Several of those who have written in our book of condolence have mentioned ‘grace.’ She, I think, was unconscious of having it, but we could all see it. “Grace and a love of her people. “If she could, she would have shaken hands with every one of us.
“Rest in peace, gracious lady.”