Hinckley and Bosworth’s Mayor and Consort pay tribute to The Queen by laying wreath inside Argents Mead’s Jubilee bandstand

Mason Moore | Hinckley Reporter | 9 September 2022

HINCKLEY and Bosworth’s Mayor, Coun. Dawn Glenville, and her consort, Coun. Barry Walker, paid their tributes to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II this morning (Friday, 9 September) by laying a wreath at the bandstand inside Argents Mead.

**Consort Barry Walker with Mayor Dawn Glenville** (Image: Mason Moore)

The wreath was dedicated to The Queen after she ‘died peacefully’ in Balmoral Castle yesterday afternoon (8 September), whilst under medical supervision.

It was aptly laid inside of the park’s much-loved and regularly-used bandstand which has been dedicated to Her Majesty on two royal occasions. The first back in June 2012 to mark her Diamond Jubilee, and in June earlier this year for her Platinum Jubilee.

**The wreath laid by the Mayor and Consort** (Image: Mason Moore)

Attached to the wreath is a card offering ‘deepest sympathies’, with a 31-word respectful and touching tribute penned by the Borough Mayor herself.

It simply reads: “We are all deeply saddened to receive the news of Her Majesty The Queen. We will cherish her years of devotion and her loss will be deeply felt across the nation.”

Speaking to the Hinckley Free Press on laying the wreath, Hinckley and Bosworth Mayor, Coun. Dawn Glenville, said: “It was a great honour to lay the wreath – Her Majesty was our longest reigning monarch.

“She was so resilient and she loved by many all around the world. I personally thought that she would ‘live forever’. And, she still does in our hearts. It is an incredibly sad time for us all.”

The Mayor’s Consort and Husband, Coun. Barry Walker, added: “I’ve been quite upset about it the past 24 hours. It came as a massive shock. She was the rock on which our modern nation was formed.

“We need to spend time reflecting, have quiet moments, and look back at what she achieved in her reign. I am looking forward to King Charles’ reign and seeing him carrying on the tradition.”

Union Jack being flown at half-mast

**The Mead’s Union Jack is at half-mast** (Image: Mason Moore)

When the shock announcement was first made yesterday, Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council (HBBC) started flying the Union Jack at half-mast across the borough, namely from flagpoles at the Hinckley Hub, Argents Mead, and Hollycroft Park.

Vigil taking place this evening

This evening (9 September), a vigil service will start at 7.30pm, inside of the St. Mary’s Church, where residents and town visitors can head on down to pay their respects.

Books of condolence and laying flowers

Anyone wishing to leave floral tributes of their own can display them inside the Jubilee Bandstand during this time of mourning, a Council spokesperson confirmed.

And, books of condolence in memory of The Queen have been opened up at many locations in Hinckley and Burbage – these include the Hinckley Hub, The Atkins Building, St. Mary’s Church, and Burbage’s Millennium Hall.

**Council Leader Stuart Bray was one of the first to sign the book of condolence** (Image: HBBC)

Elsewhere in the borough, books of condolence can be found at Sport in Desford, Markfield Community Centre, and Twycross Zoo. It can also be signed online.