As we mourn the loss of our beloved monarch, HM The Queen, after a record-breaking 70 years of dedicated service, I know that residents up and down the constituency will want to pay their respects.
Her Majesty has been a constant in our lives, with 9 in 10 of us across the whole world having been born after Queen Elizabeth acceded the throne in 1952. This is a period for reflection, contemplation and mourning as we mark the end of the second Elizabethan age, and I know that communities across Rother Valley are coming together to honour our remarkable late Queen, Elizabeth the Great.
I have compiled a list of commemorations that will take place in Rother Valley over the next 10 days, but please note that this is not exhaustive and will be kept under review for updates as they develop.
Maltby Town Council
Books of commemoration will be open at the Edward Dunn Memorial Hall, in Maltby schools and churches
Floral tributes may be left in the Memorial Gardens on the High Street, but the Parish Council politely request that any cellophane is removed
The Union flag will be flown at half-mast during the next 10 days, except on Proclamation Day.
Dinnington St John’s Town Council
A book of condolence will be available in The Lyric, from 12pm today, D Day +1.
Flowers may be left at Coronation Park, with requests from the Town Council that artificial flowers are not left.
Thurcroft Parish Council
A book of condolence will be held in the Church of St Simon & St Jude during the period of national mourning, and the church will be open between 2pm and 4pm on weekdays from Monday and 9am-12:30pm on Thursday.
The Parish Church and Council welcome the laying of floral tributes and ask that these be left inside Thurcroft Memorial Garden, without their cellophane. The gates to the Garden will be open from 9am today and will remain so until dark on every day between now and the funeral.
Laughton-en-le-Morthen Parish Council
Due to the refurbishment of the Village Hall, the book of condolence will be held in Laughton All Saints Church from Monday.
Floral tributes should be left outside the Village Hall and on each side of the War Memorial, again without cellophane so that they can be collected for compost following the end of national mourning, in keeping with Her Majesty’s wishes.
Harthill with Woodall Parish Council
A book of Remembrance will be held in the Parish Church, which will be open between 10am and 4pm, every day between now and the funeral.
A second book will be held in Harthill Village Hall, which will be open Monday to Thursday, 10am-12pm and 5pm-7pm, for residents to sign
Flowers may be laid either side of the War Memorial, or alternatively placed on the High Altar of Harthill Church
Aston, Swallownest and Aughton
Books of condolence will be held in the Parish Hall (open to visitors 9am-5pm, Friday 9am-2pm) and at Aston All Saints Church.
Memorial flowers can be left at the garden to the side of the Reading Room
Anston
A condolence book will be at St James Church. The church is open 10-3pm today (Friday) and 9-12pm on Saturday, for people to leave a message of condolence, and have the opportunity to pray and light a candle.
Kiveton Park and Wales
St John the Baptist church open 10am-4pm every day for people to pay their tributes
Book of condolence will be at Wales Parish Council Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm (please check their website: https://www.wales-pc.org.uk/)
Woodsetts
Floral tributes may be left by the beacon on the Recreation Ground
Ulley
Holy Trinity will be open today for personal prayer and reflection.
The annual well dressing with go ahead tomorrow (Saturday) at 12pm, with a time of silence.
Waverley Community Council
Anybody wishing to lay flowers are welcome to do so at the memorial bench off Whirlow Chapel and Ashbourne Way. Residents may also wish to sign the national book of condolence https://www.royal.uk/send-message-condolence
Waverley CC advise that they are in the process of liaising with the local church about a service.
Treeton Parish Council
A remembrance book and loose leaf pages which will then be collated and bound are available to sign in the Reading Room Front Street & Community Centre Pit lane
There will be a floral tribute on the war memorial
Bramley Parish Council
A book of condolence will be available at both Parish Halls in Bramley, which will be open between 9am and 5pm until the day of the funeral.
A proclamation service will take place on 10 September 2022 at 11:15am and residents in Hellaby are invited to attend this, in lieu of a proclamation event taking place within Hellaby Parish
The memorial gates will be open for floral tributes
Letwell Parish Council
A book of condolence will be available in the Village Hall, which will be open between 9am and 5pm until the day of the funeral.
A proclamation service will take place on 10 September 2022 at 11:15am by the flag
A ceremony will take place on the day of Her Majesty's funeral
Hellaby Parish Council
A book of condolence will be available in the Village Hall, which will be open between 9am and 5pm until the day of the funeral.
Parishioners who wish to join a proclamation service are invited to the Bramley service
Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council has also launched an online book of condolence, which can be accessed here: https://www.rotherham.gov.uk/blog/condolence/post/1634/book-of-condolence---the-queen