Wigan Borough prepares to mark state funeral

Wigan Borough prepares to mark state funeral

Preparations are underway for Wigan Borough to mark the day of the state funeral for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

With Monday declared a bank holiday across the UK, some council services will be closed or operating at reduced capacity.

Civic commemoration services are taking place across the borough over the upcoming weekend and residents are encouraged to take part in the National Moment of Reflection on Sunday.

Leader of Wigan Council, Councillor David Molyneux, MBE, said: “Our borough has united to pay respects to Her Majesty over recent days and acknowledge the accession to the throne of King Charles III.

“The books of condolence will remain available until next Tuesday, the day after the state of funeral.

“We will be encouraging residents to join everyone across the UK in marking the Moment of Reflection.”

Key service updates for Monday, September 19, include:

• The borough’s recycling centres will be open 8am to 10am and then 2pm to 7.45pm.
• Leisure centres operated by the council’s Be Well services will be closed.
• Life Centre and library buildings will not be open to the public.
• Bin collections are unaffected and will be collected as usual later in the week.
• Wigan Market and Leigh Market will be closed.

The books of condolence will remain at Wigan Town Hall and Leigh Town Hall each weekday between 9am and 5pm, moving to Wigan Library and Leigh Library on Saturday between 9am and 2pm.

The National Moment of Reflection will take place at 8pm on Sunday, September 18, the night before the State Funeral, and be marked by a one-minute silence.

A national two-minute silence will also take place on the Monday, September 19 as part of the funeral proceedings.

Residents are invited to mark the minute’s silence either privately, on their doorsteps or with family, friends, and their local community.

Wigan and Leigh town halls will also continue to be lit up through the mourning period.

The Mayor of Wigan Borough, Councillor Marie Morgan, will be attending civic commemoration services in Wigan, Leigh and Manchester.

Some individuals from the borough are travelling down to London to HM Queen Elizabeth II lying-in-state at the Palace of Westminster (Houses of Parliament).

Before travelling, residents are being encouraged to check Government advice online (external link).

Across the nation, people are also invited to send a message of condolence to the Royal Family (external link).