Queen Elizabeth II in Cambridge, 1953
Cambridge is a town with special links to Britain’s Royal Family and it is only fitting that the Cambridge News joins in the global expressions of sympathy marking the death of Queen Elizabeth 11.
Flags around town dropped to half-mast early on Friday, and plans quickly took shape to ensure local residents could play their part in commemorating the Queen’s long life of service. Waipā deputy mayor Liz Stolwyk and Cambridge Community Board chair Sue Milner set up an area just inside the Cambridge Town Hall entrance where people can come and sign a special condolence book.
The hall will be open for that from 9am to 4pm today, and from 10am to 4pm tomorrow. It will remain open from Monday to Thursday next week, from 9am to 4pm. A second condolence book will be available to sign in the entrance foyer of the council offices in Cambridge’s Wilson St.
The News is also inviting people to contact us with any memories or stories they may have of seeing meeting the Queen. Send them through to Viv Posselt at viv@goodlocal.nz or fill in our form in the next few days.
Meanwhile flags at Te Awamutu’s Memorial Park and Anzac Green were lowered to half mast today.
Lou Brown
Te Awamutu RSA life member Lou Brown – a Waipā councillor – acknowledged questions as to why the flags were lowered some time after those at council buildings. He explained there was a set protocol – and the action could only be taken when instructions were received which in this case took sightly longer than the Government’s directive.
The flags will be a full height tomorrow to mark Proclamation Day marking the succession of the new King, Charles III.
Condolence books are now available for signing in Waipā.
Lou Brown said any tributes should not be at our local war memorial sites. Te Awamutu will use the grassed mound in front of library as an appropriate memorial location and, in the case of Cambridge, the Town Hall.
