Queen Elizabeth II: Nottinghamshire pays tribute to monarch

Flowers have been laid on the steps of Nottingham's Council House

The people of Nottinghamshire have paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II following the news of her death on Thursday.

The Queen visited Nottingham in 2012, where she was pictured watching a children's sports event at Vernon Park

Joanne Rundle, a healthcare assistant from Nottingham, echoed the thoughts of many as the only head of state she had ever known died.

"I'm very sad - it's the end of an era," she said.

"She was a fantastic role model for everybody."

Enid Patrick said she was "very upset indeed" to hear of the Queen's death

For 85-year-old Enid Patrick, from Radcliffe on Trent, the 96-year-old had been a national figure "my whole lifetime".

"I'm very upset indeed," she said.

"She's a lovely lady, a part of this country. I loved her very much."

Verity Jaremczenko, 35 - who was visiting Nottingham from her home in Germany - said the news was "extremely sad".

"It's really devastating," she said.

"She's been such a strong, tremendous woman all of her life stepping into that role at such a young age. It's a really sad day for the country.

"The Queen's always been there for all our lives - it's just really sad."

Gazierem Onwuegbuchulan said the Queen "meant everything" to the British people

Gazierem Onwuegbuchulan, 31, from Nottingham, said: "I didn't expect it - it's quite sad.

"She meant everything to the British people. She was the only monarch I ever knew and most of the British people ever knew so she meant everything.

"I really hoped she would have seen 100 years. She will be sorely missed."

Sir John Peace, Lord-Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire, said the queen was "brilliant at making people feel at ease"

Sir John Peace, Lord-Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire, said: "She was so trusted and was brilliant at making people feel at ease.

"You would be in awe of meeting this great lady and, when you actually started talking to her, she had a wicked sense of humour.

"She would always have a joke with you but, through the way she would talk and what she would talk about, you would feel like she knew you and you knew her - that's a rare quality."

Tributes have appeared across the county

Nottingham City Council said people were able to lay flowers on the Council House steps if they wished.

In a joint statement, the Lord Mayor of Nottingham - councillor Wendy Smith - and council leader David Mellen said: "We were proud and honoured to host many visits by the Queen as a city, including memorably in her Diamond Jubilee year 10 years ago and it's particularly sad that her death comes during her Platinum Jubilee year when the country has been celebrating her long reign.

"As a mark of respect and sorrow, we will fly flags on our buildings at half-mast and open a book of condolence at the Council House and at locations around the city."

Other councils in Nottinghamshire have also made books of condolence available at their buildings.

St Mary's Church will be open from 09:00 BST on Friday for anyone to come in for "silent reflection, prayer, to light a candle"

A spokesperson for Nottingham Castle also paid tribute, and confirmed the Kemet FM event that was due to be held this weekend had been postponed.

The bells at St Peters in the centre of Nottingham were muffled to announce the death of the Queen on Thursday and tolled for an hour at midday.

But the ringing master Matthew Jones confirmed there would be open ringing - with no muffles - at 16:00 on Sunday to announce the proclamation of the new monarch.

Nottingham actor Vicky McClure and Beeston-born designer Paul Smith were among numerous big names to pay tribute.

Mr Smith, who was appointed a CBE by the Queen in 1994, said he was "privileged to have the opportunity" to meet her, adding: "I will remain forever grateful for her championing of the British arts and industry."

Nottingham Forest posted a picture of the Queen handing over the FA Cup after their Wembley win against Luton in 1959, while Nottinghamshire Cricket Club also posted a tribute with a shot of their royal encounter.

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The county's MPs were also among those marking the moment of her death.

Alex Norris, Labour representative for Nottingham North, said the Queen's "dedication and devotion to her country and her people burned as brightly at the end of her reign as at its start", while Mark Spencer, Conservative MP for Sherwood, said her "service and dedication to our nation will never be forgotten".

Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) NHS Trust also shared a picture of their own royal visit from when the Queen's Medical Centre was opened in 1977, the year of her Silver Jubilee.

Nottingham Cathedral said it would hold a requiem mass for mourners to pay their respects to the former monarch on Friday.

The Council House was lit up purple in tribute to the Queen