Date: 9 September, 2022
Royal Death
A letter of condolence on behalf of Sedgemoor District Council and the residents of Sedgemoor has been sent to Buckingham Palace by Chairman of Council, Cllr Alan Bradford, Leader of Sedgemoor District Council, Cllr Duncan McGinty and Chief Executive, Bob Brown.
Books of Condolence – There is a book of condolence in a room off Reception in Bridgwater House. Open from 0845 hrs until 1700 hrs (Monday to Friday). We have tablets set up with links to the Royal Book of Condolence with staff on hand to help those residents who many not be familiar with technology. Residents are invited to leave messages on the royal.uk website, which has turned black-and-white to reflect the start of the national mourning period. Send a message of condolence | The Royal Family
In Burnham on Sea: Town Council Offices, Jaycroft Road, Burnham-on-Sea. Weekdays between 10am – 3pm.
In Highbridge: The Community Hall, Market Street, Town Centre, Highbridge TA9 3BT – various opening hours, please see BOS town Council website.
In North Petherton – in North Petherton library (from Monday)
Flags – In accordance with official timetables, there are various times when flags need to go up, down or at half-mast. SDC have flagpoles at Bridgwater House, Apex Park in Highbridge, Berrow beach, Brean beach.
Floral Tributes – Cllr Bradford has placed a wreath in King Square and there is a coned off area for other floral tributes. We kindly ask that either recyclable wrappers are used and/or plastic wrappings are removed and placed in nearby bins. At the end of the mourning period, there will be a ceremonial removal of the flowers. All flowers will be taken away to be composted.
Other local areas will be set up in towns and villages, please contact your local parish or town clerk.
In North Petherton, there is an area set aside at Wilstock Hub
Areas in In Burnham on Sea: Below the flagpole at Old Station Approach, Burnham-on-Sea and
below the flagpole, Market Street, Highbridge.
Local Proclamation – King Square, Bridgwater 1600 hrs on Sunday, 11th September.
The Chairman of Sedgemoor District Council will be making a local proclamation at 1600 hrs on Sunday, 11 September in King Square, Bridgwater. The local proclamation ceremony marks the formal Proclamation to the people of Sedgemoor District Council the beginning of our new King’s reign. There will be a short speech by the Chairman, explaining the process, then the formal reading of the Proclamation.
At the end of the Proclamation the Chairman will say: God Save The King
Official guests repeat: God Save The King
All present join in saying: God Save The King
Sing one verse of the National Anthem
Finally, the Chairman will call for three cheers for His Majesty The King
Whilst there will be a small party of civic dignitaries invited, members and town and parish councillors, all members of the public wanting to attend to observe this historic moment will be welcome to attend. It is only a short event – 30 mins max. Our thanks go to the Royal British Legion for their help with audio equipment and Bridgwater Carnival Committee for traffic management around King Square. The road around King Square be will closed from 1530 hrs until 1730 hrs.
Background information
There is a formal timetable for proclamations. There is a hierarchy for the Proclamation process:
National Proclamation – by the Accession Council at St James’s Palace. The flags which have flown at half-mast since The Queen’s death were raised briefly to their full height to mark the start of His Majesty’s reign.
County Proclamation – made by Somerset High Sheriff at 1300 hrs on Sunday, 11th September at Market House in Taunton.
Local Proclamation – made by the Chairman of Sedgemoor District Council at 1600 hrs on Sunday, 11th in King Square, Bridgwater.
Claire Faun
Corporate Relations Manager
Sedgemoor District Council
T: 01278 435320