Town Mayor's Statement upon the Death of Queen Elizabeth II

70 years ago on 6th February1952, it was the duty of the Mayor of Newark, Cllr J.A, Marwick, to announce the death of King George VI and the subsequent accession to the throne of Queen Elizabeth II.

Much has changed since then, but one thing did not.

On her 21st birthday, the then Princess Elizabeth had promised that she would devote her "whole life, whether it be long or short" to the service of the people of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.

That life is now over.  It was a long and glorious one, and throughout it her sense of public duty never wavered.

We celebrated the unique event of her platinum jubilee together in June this year and now we mourn her death with the same gratitude for her life.

Even after such a historic reign, the end has come surprisingly quickly, and it is an immense loss to the people of Newark and elsewhere.

It is now my duty to be the first Mayor in 70 years to say, "God save the King".