Tributes paid to HM Queen Elizabeth II

Thursday, 8 September 2022 20:36

A round-up of local reaction from across Keighley, Ilkley and Skipton following the death of Her Majesty The Queen.

As a mark of respect and in accordance with national protocol, flags on Bradford City Hall and civic buildings across the district will be flown at half-mast and will remain at half-mast until 8am on the morning of the day following the funeral.

Books of condolence are being opened across the district for members of the public to pay their respects and an online book of condolence will also be set up. The Lord Mayor of Bradford, the Council leader and the Chief Executive of Bradford Council will all sign a book of condolence which will be opened in City Hall. Books of condolence will be available at Bradford City Hall and at locations across the district.

The Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Martin Love, said: “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Her Majesty the Queen. Over her 70-year reign of this great nation and the Commonwealth, she has touched the lives of so many people. When she first came to Bradford in October 1954, just 16 months after her Coronation, it was clear she was loved and cherished.

“Today we lower our flags and pay tribute to one of the greatest Sovereigns our country has ever known. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Royal Family and all those affected by her passing. She will always be remembered and always be missed.”

The Leader of Bradford Council, Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, said: “It is with heavy hearts that we learn of the loss of Her Majesty The Queen. Her dedication to this country and the Commonwealth resulted in her being one of the most loved and respected rulers across the globe. The district of Bradford joins the rest of the nation in mourning her passing.”

The Chief Executive of Bradford Council, Kersten England, said: “Today we mourn the loss of Her Majesty the Queen. It has been an honour and a privilege to live under our longest reigning monarch. She was a highly regarded leader and her passing has affected people from across the district, the nation and the world. Over the coming days we will stand together to commemorate the wonderful achievements and life of Her Majesty the Queen.”

Keighley & Ilkley MP Robbie Moore said: "Incredibly sad news. Her Majesty has been a steadfast & resolute part of public life. Her dedication, devotion & commitment to public duty was unparalleled. She provided great stability & reassurance for all & will be sorely missed. May Her Majesty rest in peace."

Incredibly sad news. Her Majesty has been a steadfast & resolute part of public life.

Her dedication, devotion & commitment to public duty was unparalleled. She provided great stability & reassurance for all & will be sorely missed.

May Her Majesty rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/8Dgm7Pz6yI
— Robbie Moore MP (@_RobbieMoore) September 8, 2022

Skipton MP Julian Smith said: "I am deeply sad that Elizabeth II has died. She was not only our country's longest serving monarch but probably the most consequential - leading us carefully and skilfully through an era of huge change in our society and the world.

"I had the huge privilege, during my time as Vice Chamberlain of the Royal Household, to write to Her Majesty daily and meet with her regularly to update her on parliamentary matters. She was inspirational in her kindness and her work ethic and her attention to every detail of current debate and affairs.

"As Secretary of State for Northern Ireland I later witnessed the huge impact she made in solidifying and entrenching the peace process particularly through the ongoing glow of her historic state visit to Dublin in 2011 and to Belfast in 2012 where she shook hands with Martin McGuinness.

"As a constituency MP in North Yorkshire I saw on a weekly basis the commitment, the dedication and love felt towards her by so many constituents, as I, in complete awe of her service and dedication to our country.

"I look forward to taking the Oath of Allegiance in parliament to King Charles III in the coming days and to remembering and celebrating the life of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II with constituents over this period of national mourning."

I am deeply sad that Elizabeth II has died. She was not only our country's longest serving monarch but probably the most...
Posted by Julian Smith MP on Thursday, September 8, 2022

The Lord Lieutenant for North Yorkshire, Jo Ropner, said: “It is with the most profound sadness that I have learnt of the death of Her Majesty the Queen.

“Her unfailing commitment to our country and to the wider Commonwealth throughout the past 70 years has been an inspiration to us all.

“On Her Majesty’s 21st birthday in 1947, the then Princess Elizabeth vowed that her ‘whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service’ in an address broadcast to the Commonwealth, a commitment which was reaffirmed during her Coronation in 1953.

“That her life was so blessedly long, and that her youthful vow was kept so carefully, is an accomplishment for which we, as a county and as a nation, will be forever grateful.

“Her Majesty visited North Yorkshire on numerous occasions, including the Great Yorkshire Show in Harrogate to mark its 150th anniversary in 2008 and the Maundy Thursday service at York Minster in 2012, and the county’s residents always welcomed the Queen with warm enthusiasm.

“I had the privilege of meeting Her Majesty at Buckingham Palace when I was appointed as Lord Lieutenant in 2018, and I know from personal experience that every engagement was conducted with grace and genuine interest, that every person felt the spark from meeting not only their monarch, but a truly remarkable woman whose commitment to her role will be remembered for generations to come.

“On behalf of the people of North Yorkshire, York and Teesside, I shall be expressing my heartfelt condolences to Her Majesty’s family.”

West Yorkshire Police said: "The thoughts and condolences of the Chief Constable, Chief Officers, officers and staff of West Yorkshire Police are with the Royal Family at this sad time. The Union Flag will fly at half-mast at police stations across West Yorkshire as a sign of respect and mourning."

The thoughts and condolences of the Chief Constable, Chief Officers, officers and staff of West Yorkshire Police are with the Royal Family at this sad time.

The Union Flag will fly at half-mast at police stations across West Yorkshire as a sign of respect and mourning. pic.twitter.com/qWd7XVXIbh
— West Yorkshire Police (@WestYorksPolice) September 8, 2022

North Yorkshire Police Chief Constable Lisa Winward said: “It is with great sadness that we learnt of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth today, Thursday 8 September 2022.

“Her Majesty’s death may affect many people across North Yorkshire and we urge anyone who is feeling particularly saddened to seek support from one of the many agencies who can provide a listening ear or advice.

“We are now preparing to support our communities over the coming days as we come together to remember Her Majesty and mark this historic moment in time”.

“We are now preparing to support our communities over the coming days as we come together to remember Her Majesty and mark this historic moment in time”.
— North Yorkshire Police (@NYorksPolice) September 8, 2022

RIP to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 👑 Our deepest condolences go out to Royal Family at this great time of sadness. We have a flag at half mast at station out of respect #HRH #RIP #Queen 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧
Posted by Skipton Fire Station on Thursday, September 8, 2022

Posted by West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service on Thursday, September 8, 2022

Ilkley Town Council have posted on its Facebook page: " Ilkley Town Council offers its condolences to the Royal Family on the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Her duty, service and devotion to the people of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth was unparalleled.

Ilkley Town Council joins with people around the world in mourning her loss."