CHESHIRE West and Chester Council has revealed what will happen to messages of condolence and floral tributes to The Queen left across the borough.

Since the sad news of Her Majesty's death was announced last Thursday, the borough joined the rest of the nation in a period of mourning for Britain's longest-serving monarch.

In towns across Cheshire West, books of condolence were opened for members of the public to pen personal tributes and messages for the Queen and the Royal Family.

The books remain open at Memorial Court, Northwich; Wyvern House, Winsford; Town Hall Square, Chester; and Ellesmere Port Library and Civic Hall.

The book of condolence at Chester Town Hall will be open during the public holiday for the Queen's funeral on Monday, September 19, and all other books will re-open on Tuesday, September 20 until 5pm the same day.

The books will be bound and kept in the borough’s archive as a record of the sentiments expressed by local people on the death of Her Majesty.

Flower carpets are also available at the above locations for people who wish to express their sympathies. Anyone wishing to leave flowers is asked to remove any plastic wrapping before laying their floral tribute.

The day after the state funeral, the flower carpets will close, and all flowers will be removed and transferred to Grosvenor Park, Chester, where they will be laid near the wicker sculpture of Elizabeth II.

They will remain there until Friday, September 23, after which the flowers will be mulched and spread around trees, in areas across the borough which form the Queen’s Green Canopy.

Ahead of Monday's funeral, at 8pm on Sunday, September 18, there will be a one-minute silence where the public are invited to come together and observe a national moment of reflection to mourn and reflect on the life and legacy of Queen Elizabeth II. 

In Cheshire West and Chester, this will be marked by an event on the Town Hall steps.

During the period of mourning, leaders of four political groups at the council visited four towns in the borough to pay their respects to Her Majesty, thank council staff supporting commemorative events, sign the books of condolence and lay flowers.

The delegation was made up of leader of the council Cllr Louise Gittins (Labour), leader of the opposition Cllr Margaret Parker (Conservative), leader of the independent group Cllr Gillian Edwards, and Liberal Democrat councillors Cllr Paul Roberts (in Chester and Ellesmere Port) and Cllr Malcolm Gaskill (in Winsford and Northwich).

They were joined by the council’s chief executive Andrew Lewis and staff from the council’s democratic services, community and Streetcare services, and colleagues from Winsford and Northwich town councils, who have successfully organised and delivered events since last Thursday.  

The four political leaders united in commemoration of the Queen’s 70 years of public service.

The leaders also visited Chester Cathedral to thank their team for their important role in providing space for thanks and reflection. Local commemorations are also taking place in villages and parishes across the borough.

A Service of Thanksgiving for the life of the Queen, in the presence of the Lord Lieutenant, the High Sheriff, Lord Mayor of Chester and mayors in Cheshire will be held in Chester Cathedral on Sunday, September 18 at 3pm.

The service can be watched on the Cathedral’s official YouTube channel.

The state funeral will take place at 11am on Monday, September 19, at Westminster Abbey.

The day of the State Funeral will be a public holiday and schools will be closed.

A national, two-minute silence will be held during the event which will be screened at Storyhouse, Chester, open from 9am to 7pm to be a place of comfort for those who may not want to be alone.

All of the above arrangements may be subject to change.