Southend City to gather for a Moment of Reflection

September 16, 2022

Click here for the full order of service

The Worshipful The Mayor will lead the City of Southend-on-Sea in a national moment of silent reflection on Sunday 18 September, on the eve of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral.

Residents are invited to attend Victoria Plaza, at the top end of Southend High Street, near The Victoria Centre, from 7.30pm for a short service and national minute's silence at 8pm, as people reflect on a lifetime of service which Her Majesty devoted to the United Kingdom, the Realms and Territories and the Commonwealth.

Music will accompany members of the community as they attend the event, which is expected to finish at 8.10pm with the national anthem.

The Worshipful The Mayor, Cllr Kevin Robinson, said: “The Queen was sure in her faith and steadfast in her duty, bringing constancy through 70 years of change. We will remember Her Late Majesty with affection and gratitude and silently give thanks in our hearts for her unswerving devotion to us and to our country.

“I’m sure she would be pleased to know that our communities are gathering to support one another during this time of grief and taking a moment to remember our late monarch, before we look forward to the reign of our new King, His Majesty King Charles III.”

Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will lie in state at Westminster Hall until her funeral at Westminster Abbey on Monday 19 September, which has been declared a national bank holiday.

During this day the council will be running a Bank Holiday service to allow as many members of staff as possible to take the time to remember Her Majesty. This means that libraries, museums, and Household Waste and Recycling Centres will close. Southend Pier will not open until the afternoon, from 1pm.

The Book of Condolence will remain open at the Civic Centre in Victoria Avenue until Tuesday 20 September. There is also a Book of Condolence at Leigh Community Centre and Shoebury Library. Please check the council website for opening times.

Floral tributes can be left at the fountain outside the Civic Centre or Leigh Library Gardens. If you decide to leave flowers, please remove the cellophane wrapping to protect our local environment.