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Remembering Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
ON THURSDAY THE 8TH OF SEPTEMBER THE WORLD WAS ROCKED BY THE NEWS THAT HM QUEEN ELIZABETH II HAD PASSED AWAY WHILST VISITING HER FAMILY HOME IN BALMORAL. HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN WAS 96 AT THE TIME OF HER PASSING AND HAD GIVEN OVER 70 YEARS OF LOYAL AND DEVOTED SERVICE TO BOTH THE CROWN, THE PEOPLE OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND, THE REALMS AND TERRITORIES AND THE COMMONWEALTh.H.
OnThursday the 8th of September 2022 we recieved the sad news of the Death of HM Queen Elizebeth II. In accordance with tradition the Union Jack flying over The Buttercross in Ludlow was immediately dropped to half mast and notices were released across the land on notice boards, websites and official social media pages. 
Laying Flowers for Her Majesty
Books of condolence were then opened at The Guildhall, The Church of St Laurence and Ludlow Library for the townspeople and visitors to sign to mark the sad occasion. 
On the first official day of Mourning a procession of the Mayor Cllr G Ginger, Deputy Mayor Cllr B Waite and other members of Ludlow Town Council was led by Sergeant at Arms Nick Chapman, who then layed flowers in the Castle Gardens. Dedicating an area for the citizens of the town to be able to show their respect and do the same and followed by the reading of a statement from the Mayor. Thus beginning a ten day mourning period leading up to the Her Majesty's State Funeral. 
The ProclAmation
At 11am on the first official day of mourning the flags were re-raised in celebration of the new King Charles III and his Proclamation was read in London by the King Charles III.
"I, CHARLES III, BY THE GRACE OF GOD OF THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND AND OF MY OTHER REALMS AND TERRITORIES, KING, DEFENDER OF THE FAITH, DO FAITHFULLY PROMISE AND SWEAR THAT I SHOULD INVIOLABLY MAINTAIN AND PRESERVE THE SETTLEMENT OF THE TRUE PROTESTANT RELIGION AS ESTABLISHED BY THE LAWS MADE IN SCOTLAND IN PROSECUTION OF THE CLAIM OF RIGHT AND PARTICULARLY BY AN ACT INTITULED AN ACT FOR SECURING THE PROTESTANT RELIGION AND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH GOVERNMENT AND BY THE ACTS PASSED IN THE PARLIAMENT OF BOTH KINGDOMS FOR UNION OF THE TWO KINGDOMS, TOGETHER WITH THE GOVERNMENT, WORSHIP, DISCIPLINE, RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES, OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND."
The proclAmation is read by the Mayor of Ludlow
The proclamation was read in Belfast, Edinburgh and Cardiff at 12 noon before the flag was dropped again across the UK (and indeed many parts of the world) at 1pm. The proclamation was then read by our current Mayor Cllr G Ginger in Ludlow at 4pm on the peace memorial Square in front of a large crowd and many local dignitaries including the local Member of Parliament Phillip Dunne. Shortly followed by the National Anthem accompanied by Ludlow Concert Band.
Hm Queen Elizabeth Lying in State
Whilst flags remained at half mast across the Country the Late Queen was led to Westminster Hall where she lay in State until the morning of her funeral.
The Eve of The Funeral
The above photograph shows the procession led by Sergeant at Arms Victoria Allen and Debbie our Mace Bearer, Followed by Mayoress Gabriella Ginger, infront of her father Mayor Cllr Glenn Ginger. 
On the Eve of HM Queen Elizabeth II's Funeral a service was held in the Church of St Laurence in Ludlow, attended by many of Ludlows Town's people and local groups. The service was then followed by a minute silence held in The Buttercross led by Mayor Cllr G Ginger and the Town Bugler, Paul Kemp.
