TRIBUTES for Prince Philip continue to pour in following the launch an online book of condolence in Warwickshire.
Communities are invited to sign the book on Warwickshire County Council’s website which will be retained in its archives for future generations to read, and passed to the Palace in due course.
County Council leader Coun Izzi Seccombe said: “It is with great sadness that we have learnt of the death of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh.
“We must be inspired and grateful for the very many years of selfless dedication and personal sacrifice he has given to public service. The nation and beyond is grateful for his unstinting support to Her Majesty, The Queen.
“Our deepest sympathies go to his family and to Her Majesty The Queen at this time of personal loss.”
Coun Alan Cockburn, the chairman of the council, has also written to the Queen and the Royal Family offering condolences.
The authority is planning a way to bring communities together in the near future, once restrictions allow, to pay tribute to His Royal Highness.
Flags across the county are also flying at half mast this week until the day after the the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral on Saturday (April 17).
Warwick District Council chairman Martyn Ashford has also written a letter to the Queen on behalf of the council and district residents to convey condolences and sympathies.
He is encouraging residents to pay tributes through donations to one of the Duke’s charities.
He said: “We understand that you will want to pay tribute to the Duke of Edinburgh, and the council did have appropriate plans in place for this. However, national restrictions are limiting our ability to organise for gathering together in any of our public places, and I thank you for your continued support with this.
“We hope that when national restrictions are lifted, there will be opportunities for us all to come together to reflect and mourn. I would also encourage you to consider making a donation to one of the charities supported by the Duke of Edinburgh, as an alternative to purchasing flowers if you so wish.”
Britain’s longest-serving consort, who died on Friday (April 9), visited the county on a number of occasions, most recently in 2011 alongside the Queen. They officially opened the transformed Royal Shakespeare Theatre and Swan Theatre in Stratford, as well as the Warwickshire Justice Centre in Leamington.
In line with requests from the Palace, the laying of flowers is not being encouraged, but there are suggested places across the district for this including:
– Kenilworth – Abbey End, Globe Hotel Memorial.
– Warwick – Pageant Gardens, around the tree.
– Leamington – Pump Room Gardens, the bandstand site.
– Whitnash – next to the War Memorial outside St Margaret’s Church.
The council is advising residents not to leave flowers wrapped in paper or plastic, and avoid leaving candles.
Residents can also visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/bookofcondolence to sign the book of condolence.
