We would like to thank the community for the support they have shown since the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on 8 September.

Hundreds of messages have been written in local Books of Condolence, along with floral tributes left at locations around Torbay.

At 5pm today, Books of Condolence will be closed, collated into a book and moved to Torquay Library, where they will be available for public reflection for two years. They will then be transferred for permanent storage at the Devon Records Office.

An online Book of Condolence can be found on the Royal Family website. 

A letter of condolence has been sent to King Charles III on behalf of Torbay Council and residents which has been signed by Cllr Mandy Darling, The Worshipful The Mayor of Torbay, Cllr Steve Darling, Leader of Torbay Council and Anne-Marie Bond, Chief Executive of Torbay Council.

Anyone still wishing to lay a floral tribute either outside Torquay Town Hall, Paignton Library or on the Western Lady Pier in Brixham is still able to do so. All floral tributes will be removed by the end of the week and mulched for use in parks across Torbay.

From today, flags that were flying half-mast on council buildings and estates have been returned to full mast. Seafront and other illuminations that are managed by us will be switched back to their usual colours or turned back on.

In addition, SWISCo services that were stopped to allow everyone to pay their respects to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II have resumed. Residents whose waste and recycling wasn’t collected on their usual day are advised to leave it out and crews will collect it as soon as possible.

Until 30 September, Torre Abbey is showing a photographic exhibition that celebrates the many times Queen Elizabeth II visited Torbay throughout her reign. The exhibition is free to view, for opening times please visit Torre Abbey’s website.

Cllr Mandy Darling, The Worshipful The Mayor of Torbay, said: “The passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is a unique national moment that has affected us in many different ways. I’d like to thank everyone in our local communities for their messages of condolence, tributes, and support as we came together for the National Moment of Reflection and the State Funeral.”

Cllr Darren Cowell, Deputy Leader of Torbay Council, said: “I’d like to thank our community partners for the support they have shown to our residents, our residents for their patience during service changes and our staff who have been working with national partners to ensure that Torbay paid its respects to Queen Elizabeth II.”

Torbay’s local faith community are continuing to offer support to anyone affected by the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Anyone who has found recent events difficult, or triggering is encouraged to seek support.