Flowers live on in Queen's Gardens

Residents are being thanked for the touching floral tributes placed outside Castle House in memory of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Many mourners have paid their respects to the late monarch, who passed away on Thursday, 8 September, by laying brightly coloured flowers and handwritten messages on the triangular lawn in Newcastle’s Queen’s Gardens.

Now that the period of National Mourning has come to a close, following the Queen’s State Funeral yesterday, these tributes will be respectfully removed on Saturday, 24 September for processing at the Council’s operational depot based at Knutton Lane. The plant material will then be added to the soil in the flower beds at Queen’s Gardens. Labels and cards will be separated and stored.

Council Leader Simon Tagg said: “The period of National Mourning has seen the whole nation, and beyond, pay its respects following the death of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Residents in Newcastle-under-Lyme have paid their own tributes to our beloved monarch by attending civic events, signing the Book of Condolence at Castle House and laying flowers in a designated area of Queen’s Gardens. Even though it’s a very sad time, it’s been wonderful to see people come together to show just how much the Queen meant to them.

“The many floral tributes are a very visual reminder of residents’ grief and gratitude. Now that the mourning period has ended, it’s the right time to remove them in a sensitive way. The plant material will be added to the flower beds at Queen’s Gardens. It means that the flowers won’t go to waste and will help to create the next beautiful display in our award winning gardens. It’s very fitting and appropriate.”

Meanwhile, the Union flag has today returned to full mast at Castle House and the Guildhall. A Book of Condolence is available to sign at Castle House until 5pm today.