Bristol pays tribute to the Queen

When New York artist Tom Bob visited Bristol as part of Upfest, he painted Queen Elizabeth at the Rope Walk pub in Bedminster.

With one of her finest crowns on her head, she is wearing a white dress, red earrings and black shoes.

She is also skateboarding:

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People across Bristol have been paying tribute following the death of the the Queen.

City Hall was lit up in remembrance on Thursday evening and its flags flown at half mast.

Books of condolence have been set up in Bristol Cathedral and St Mary Redcliffe Church, and the chain lights of the Clifton Suspension Bridge will be switched off during the national period of mourning.

The dean of Bristol, the very reverend Dr Mandy Ford, said: “On the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II we offer the prayers of Bristol Cathedral in thanksgiving for her life of devoted service to her family, the nation and the Commonwealth.

“As she lived out her calling to be the Servant Queen, may she be now welcomed into the Kingdom of the Servant King who she followed faithfully all her life.

“My prayers, and those of the whole Cathedral community, are with all who mourn, and in particular with her family, friends and all who worked closely with her. May God comfort and richly bless our new King, Charles III and Queen Consort.”

Special services for the Queen will take place at Bristol Cathedral, with more information available soon.

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Metro mayor Dan Norris said: “This is an immensely sad day. Her Majesty the Queen has been a constant presence during all of our lives and during so many periods of immense change, not just in the West of England and the UK but across the globe.

“She has been an exemplar who always put service first. It is almost unimaginable such a reliable fixture in our lives is no longer with us. As so many across the country mourn this huge loss, I send my deepest sympathies and those of residents of the West of England, to the King, the Queen Consort and everyone who loved this most remarkable woman.”

Bristol Conservative group leader Mark Weston said: “The news of Her Majesty’s passing is extremely sad and shocking even though perhaps this was something many of us have been privately girding ourselves to expect in recent days.

“For most people, the Queen has always been there, the epitome of calmness and dignity, as well as possessing a deep well of experience, knowledge, and wisdom. Time and again, she provided a source of solace, reassurance, and sense of continuity during turbulent events throughout her long reign.

“Queen Elizabeth II was part of that rightly named ‘greatest generation’ who were steadfast in adversity and possessed of an unstinting sense of duty. We truly will not see her like again.”

Bristol Bears are due to play Bath at Ashton Gate on Friday evening in the opening game of the Premiership rugby season. The club say that they “are awaiting guidance regarding tonight’s fixture and will update as soon as possible”.

Main photo: Dave Betts / pool

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