Manchester Cathedral to hold public service for the Queen as bells tolled and condolence book opened

A public service will be held tonight (Friday 9 September) in Manchester city centre to mark the passing of the Queen.

Manchester Cathedral will be the location for the service which takes place at 5.30pm.

Bells were tolled at noon today in her Majesty’s honour at the cathedral, as they were at churches and places of worship around the country.

The death of the monarch is one of the rare occasions when fully muffled bells are sounded – a technique to create an echo by fitting pads to both sides of the bell clapper.

The cathedral will also be open from 8am each day for members of the public to sign a book of condolence and light a candle if they wish.

It is in addition to the books of condolence at Central Library and others around Greater Manchester.

Dean of Manchester Rogers Govender said he had hosted the Queen on visits to the city several times.

He said: “I found her to be a very humble woman, very gentle and very interested in whatever she has come to mark, to celebrate and to commemorate.

“I have nothing but admiration for her, she’s a woman of faith, a great human being, a great Christian who inspired the lives of many, including myself.

“My experiences of her have all been absolutely positive so I’m very saddened by her death.”

Speaking after signing a book of condolence and lighting a candle at Manchester Cathedral, mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said: “Here in Greater Manchester, as elsewhere, we are absorbing the enormity of yesterday’s news.

“The period of national mourning and reflection that we go into is important for two reasons, first, as a mark of respect for a truly exceptional life and, of course for the royal family, but also as a moment of true reflection on what Her Majesty the Queen taught us, what she gave us.

“Because as we go forward from here it will be important to understand that.

“In a world that is ever-changing and very volatile, she provided constancy and consistency for the British people and those are qualities that we all need to learn to value more.

“She defined the national character in most of the last century and in this, what it is to be British, that mix of stoicism and a sense of humour.

“A great basis on which anybody can face the ups and downs of life, but also stern and serious yet warm and generous at the same time. That’s Queen Elizabeth II as I remember her.”