Announcement of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Stratford-on-Avon District Council is saddened at the news of the Queen's death and offers its condolences to her family and friends at this time.

The Queen was a frequent visitor to Stratford-upon-Avon with her last visit in March 2011 to officially open the transformed Royal Shakespeare Theatre, following a three-and-a-half-year transformation project.

The District Council's headquarters in Stratford-upon-Avon was named after the late Queen Mother, who officially opened it in April 1985 after it bought the premises from NFU Mutual Insurance.

Following the announcement of Her Majesty's death today, the flag at the District Council's headquarters, Elizabeth House, had been lowered to half-mast and will remain in that position until 8am on the day after the funeral.

From Friday 9 September, a public book of condolence will be open at Elizabeth House between 9am and 5pm in the main reception on weekdays.

There is also an online book of condolence: The Royal Family

Those wishing to lay flowers are directed to do so on the Bancroft Gardens around the Swan Fountain.  Flowers will be left until the day before the funeral, when they will be moved to the Garden of Remembrance, College Street, Old Town.

Message from Cllr Mark Cargill, Stratford-on-Avon District Council Chairman: "On behalf of all Councillors and officers at Stratford-on-Avon District Council, I wish to express our sadness at the death of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. Our thoughts are with the Royal Family at this sad time.

"I, like many of you, have only ever known one Queen, Queen Elizabeth, which makes her passing doubly sad. Her noble sense of duty and dedication to public service for over 70 years was admired not only in Britain and the Commonwealth but around the world."

Message from Cllr Tony Jefferson, Leader of Stratford-on-Avon District Council: "This is an extremely sad occasion. Queen Elizabeth's reign has been the one constant backcloth for virtually all my life, as it will have been for most people. Her Majesty will be sorely missed."

Message from David Buckland, Chief Executive of Stratford-on-Avon District Council: "On behalf of all of the employees at Stratford-on-Avon District Council, we are deeply saddened by the news of the death of Her Majesty the Queen, and I offer our deepest condolences to his Majesty King Charles III and the Royal Family at this very saddest of times."