National Moment of Reflection

In Newcastle town centre the Moment of National Reflection will take place outside Castle House in Queen’s Gardens.

The Leader of the Council, Simon Tagg, said: “We have all been deeply saddened by the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, our longest serving monarch. Her 70-year reign has been a bridge between generations.

“This is a significant time for all of us. On Monday we will see the State Funeral of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. She was a shining example of devotion to service and the role she carried out for so long and I know that she is being greatly mourned by people in the borough and across the country.

“While we understand that most people will want to take time to reflect and remember at home, we are offering a public space for residents to gather and share the moment with others, if they choose to. 

"Marking the minute’s silence in the Queen’s Gardens, where the Union Flag is at half-mast and floral tributes have been placed by the public, feels poignantly appropriate.”

Anyone wanting to attend the short ceremony should arrive in Queen's Gardens by 7.50pm on Sunday. There will be a reading before and after the silence is observed as well as the national anthem. It is expected that the whole event will take around 15 minutes.

The Condolence Book in Castle House will be available to sign between 10am and 4pm each day over the long weekend and until 5pm on Tuesday, 20 September. 

For residents who live in Kidsgrove and would prefer to stay local to home there will also be a Moment of Reflection at Kidsgrove Town Hall. The town hall will open at 7.45pm for residents, the Book of Condolence will be available to sign there and flowers can be laid at the flag pole. There will be a short reading before the minute’s silence and then those gathered will sing the national anthem.