Tributes from MP and council leaders
Scarborough Borough Council’s leader, the area’s MP and the Mayor of the Borough of Scarborough have paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II following her death.
Scarborough Council is flying the union flag at halfmast above the Town Hall on St Nicholas Street in Scarborough as a formal mark of respect, in line with all other civic buildings up and down the country.
Speaking “on behalf of the whole council” and “reflecting the thoughts of the residents” of the borough, Cllr Eric Broadbent, Mayor of the Borough of Scarborough, said: “We are all deeply saddened to learn of the death of Her Majesty The Queen.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Royal Family at this very difficult time. We are sending a special letter of condolence to Buckingham Palace to convey our sentiments directly.
“In the 70 years that Her Majesty has watched over and dutifully served our nationandCommonwealth,she has done so with the utmost dignity and dedication, supporting her people through times of both triumph and adversity.
“For many of our borough’s citizens, she was the only Monarch they have ever known, the one constant in all their lives that could be relied upon to rise above the differences presented by modern society and unite people throughout an ever changing world.
“Put simply, her Majesty was a one-off; a unique and extremely special lady who will be very deeply missed by the people of the borough of Scarborough. We join with the rest of the country and commonwealth in our grief, but also in celebration of her extraordinary life.”
Sir Robert Goodwill, the MP for Scarborough and Whitby, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “The whole country has shared a feeling of shock and disbelief at the passing of the Queen.
“Despite her age, we sort of fooled ourselves that she would always be with us. Hers was a long life of dedication and service to our country. Even as recently as Tuesday last week she was carrying out her official duties, appointing the new Prime Minister, Liz Truss.
“Hers will be hard shoes to fill but King Charles has probably served the longest apprenticeship in history and I am sure he will carry the monarchy forward building on the rock solid foundations bequeathed to him.
“The country mourns her passing but it also celebrates a long life of selfless service which will never again be repeated in our history.”
He added: “We will never forget her visit to Scarborough to open the Open Air Theatre in 2010. It was the perfect day, graced as it was with the presence of Her Majesty. May she rest in peace.”
Scarborough Council’s leader, Cllr Steve Siddons, also paid tribute, describing the Queen as “a keystone in all our lives”.
He said: “It is with the deepest sadness that we have heard of the death of our Queen, Elizabeth II.
“She spent a remarkable life in service and duty. She was a keystone in all our lives with a long reign of dedication and devotion. She was literally the mother and grandmother of the nation and she was woven into the fabric of British life.”