Western Daily Press (Saturday)
Her Majesty ambassador Was a ‘tremendous and example to all’
TRIBUTES to the Queen were paid across the West yesterday as the region tried to come to terms with her death.
In Gloucestershire, the Queen was described as a “tremendous ambassador for Britain”.
Imam Hassan, a well-known leader in Gloucester’s Muslim community, tweeted: “I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Her majesty the Queen. The Queen devoted her life to serving the people of the United Kingdom.
“I offer my sincere condolences and sympathy to her nearest and dearest.”
The leader of Gloucestershire County Council, Mark Hawthorne, said: “I wish to express my heartfelt condolences to members of the royal family on the announcement of the death of Her Majesty The Queen.”
The Mayor of Gloucester, Gloucester City councillor Howard Hyman, said: “Gloucester’s connection to the royal family is very special and historic, and Her Majesty visited the city a number of times during her reign. On each occasion her warmth toward the people of Gloucester, and vice versa, was clear and wholly felt.
“Her Majesty’s commitment to her role and to the people of the Commonwealth will be unrivalled in our lifetime.
“She was a tremendous ambassador
Her Majesty The Queen was a shining example to all of us and carried out her duties tirelessly CLLR STUART WHEELER
for Britain and an example to everyone.”
Professor Peter McCaffery, ViceChancellor of the Royal Agricultural University (RAU), said: “Every one of us, here at the Royal Agricultural University, is deeply saddened to hear the news of the death of our patron, Her Majesty The Queen.
“We send our deepest condolences to King Charles III and all members of the royal family.
“Queen Elizabeth II became the patron of what was then the Royal Agricultural College, in 1952, having taken on the patronage following the death of her father King George VI.
“We have been delighted to welcome her to our campus twice, most recently in March 1996, when she and Prince Philip visited for the college’s 150th anniversary.
“During their visit they both showed a keen interest in all areas of the college and kindly took time to meet and talk with both staff and students. Despite the wet weather, she planted a mature black poplar tree at the front of the campus to mark the college’s anniversary.”
Bristol City Council’s homepage carried messages from Mayor of Bristol Marvin Rees, Lord Mayor of Bristol Cllr Paula O’Rourke and Lord-Lieutenant
Peaches Golding OBE, who wrote: “I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Her Majesty The Queen, and I know the people of Bristol will join me in sending our thoughts and condolences to the royal family at this difficult time.”
The South Gloucestershire Council website featured a message from chair of South Gloucestershire Council, Cllr Sanjay Shambhu. “Her Majesty The Queen was a much loved and respected leader who will be remembered with great fondness,” he wrote. “Her dedication to the nation and to the Commonwealth was both unstinting and inspirational.”
North Somerset Council’s homepage linked to a joint message from Cllr Steve Bridger and Cllr Mike Bell, the leader and deputy leader of the authority, who called the Queen “a much-loved figure both here in North Somerset and across the world”.
Leader of Wiltshire Council Cllr Richard Clewer said: “Her Majesty The Queen was one of the most important figures of our time and will be greatly missed. Our thoughts are with the royal family at this very difficult time.”
Council chairman Cllr Stuart Wheeler said: “Her Majesty The Queen was a shining example to all of us and carried out her duties tirelessly. This is a very sad time for the entire country
and our thoughts and prayers are with her family.”
Sarah Rose Troughton, HM LordLieutenant of Wiltshire said: “As Her Majesty The Queen’s representative in Wiltshire and Swindon, and on behalf of the Wiltshire Lieutenancy, I send my deep condolences and prayers to Her Majesty’s immediate family.
“Her Majesty’s long, unique reign and her steadfast, dedicated life of service and devotion to our nation will be remembered with deep affection and gratitude.
“We can of course look forward to His Majesty the King as her true successor and assure him and his family of Wiltshire’s loyalty and support.”
Mayor of Weymouth Gill Taylor said: “I know we expected it at some point, but it is still a shock. I think it always would have been. She was like a member of the family and we will miss her. But all I can say is let’s all stand behind Charles. And think of the family and how they’re feeling over the loss of their mum, grandmother and great grandmother.”
Councillor Shaun StephensonMcGall, chair of Bath and North East Somerset Council, said: “Many people will wish to pay tribute to HM Queen Elizabeth II, who was held in great affection and respect.
“On behalf of the people of Bath and
North East Somerset we are flying flags on our buildings at half-mast and invite those wishing to leave a message of sympathy for the royal family to do so in one of our books of condolence which are now open. People are also welcome to lay flowers in Parade Gardens in Bath, in Keynsham Memorial Gardens, in the Hollies Garden in Midsomer Norton and Haycombe Cemetery, to honour the Queen.”
Her steadfast, dedicated life of service and devotion to our nation will be remembered SARAH ROSE TROUGHTON, HM LORD-LIEUTENANT OF WILTSHIRE