Tributes from the Shotley peninsula are among those from across the world have been paid to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II after she died today.

Our beloved monarch has died

Queen Elizabeth II on Admiralty Pier in 1961

Arriving on Admiralty Pier (which is now waterfront housing) from the royal yacht Britannia the Queen visited HMS Ganges, at Shotley Gate in July 1961.

She then drove through the peninsula villages along the old A road, waving to the massed crowds, to Ipswich and a 21-gun salute in Alexandra Park.

More recently the Queen accepted a bouquet of Sweet Peas at the Chelsea Flower Show, grown by Harkstead's Chris Wiles.

with Sweet Pea bouquet from Harkstead flower grower Chris Wiles

Ganges ward councillor and Babergh vice chairman, Derek Davis, said: "Although not totally unexpected given her age and recent health concerns, this still feels like a hammer blow.

"I was fortunate enough to meet Queen Elizabeth twice and she was utterly gracious, charming and captivating.

"Those who were fortunate enough to see her royal visit to the peninsula, and HMS Ganges in particular, still hold that memory dear.

"Queen Elizabeth set an outstanding example in how to serve the country and its people.

"She will be greatly missed but always remembered as probably the greatest monarch in the world ever."

Queen Elizabeth II at HMS Ganges in 1961

Brantham parish council chairman and Babergh cabinet member Alastair McCraw pointed to her majesty's sense of humour.

"If you said 'The Queen' there was only one person it could be," said Cllr McCraw

"Over her lifetime of service, she was a national anchor point. Elizabeth II had become an incomparable asset of experience and continuity for the UK, the Commonwealth and the world.

"In an incredibly serious role, she was able to gently hint at a very British sense of both duty and humour.

"We will never see her like again. We will be poorer for it."

Shotley peninsula bench dedicated to Queen Elizabeth

Orwell ward member Jane Gould said: " I was born in 1954 so have only known one monarch, her majesty Queen Elizabeth the second.

"She has served with courage, integrity and a calm assurance and her deep faith has sustained her throughout her life and reign.

"May she rest in peace." 

Mary McLaren, district councillor for Stour ward shared her memories of meeting the Queen.including in November 1947 as a four -year-old when she went with her mother into a neighbours house to listen on the Radio to Princess Elizabeth's wedding to Prince Philip.

She said: "Her Majesty has been part of life since I was a young girl. 

"Her integrity, her strong personal faith and her humility have been the hallmarks of her reign and her life has been a unique light in our dark world."

Cllr McLaren shared her memories of the Queen.including in November 1947 as a four -year-old when she went with her mother into a neighbours house to listen on the Radio to Princess Elizabeth's wedding to Prince Philip.

She said: "I remember clearly as they spoke their vows to each other. Amazing as I can hear it in my head even now. I loved playing weddings and getting dressed up after listening to that broadcast."

 In July 1970 at the Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh, Meadowbank Stadium, Cllr McLaren recalled: "I was a young nurse specially trained in Spinal Injuries and was on duty for the diving competitions (Beverly Boyes of Canada was the star)  In between the sessions the Queen came and spoke to us as a group of nurses and medics and thanked us for the work we were doing."

Then in 2005 she was invited to a Buckingham Palace Garden Party with her former Royal Navy officer husband.

She said: "Though not in the line up, the Queen's Presence pervaded the whole event and we were just honoured to be there the afternoon tea was lovely and we enjoyed being dressed up for the event."

Babergh chair Cllr Kathryn Grandon added: "Today we extend our deepest sympathies to the entire Royal family at this very sad time and send our condolences. There will be a real sense of loss across the nation. Her many years of service to this county and across the world will never be forgotten.

"The Queen will always be remembered with great affection and her visits to the district remembered with great fondness."

Suffolk County Council chairman, Robert Everitt, said: "On behalf of my fellow councillors and officers of Suffolk County Council, I would like to express our deepest sympathies to His Majesty The King, and the entire Royal Family, at the sad news of the death of Her Majesty The Queen. 

"It is impossible for any of us to remember a time when Her Majesty was not a part of the fabric of our lives. To me, the decades of unbroken, faultless and consistent public service stand as Her Majesty's greatest legacy. When you look back on her reign which saw so much change for this country, so many scientific and cultural advancements, so much peril and challenge, throughout it all there was always a calming, steadfast constant - Her Majesty The Queen.  

"The loss of Her Majesty will of course be felt across the world, not only in the other nations where she was Queen, but also in the wider Commonwealth and beyond. 

"Her Majesty visited Suffolk many times, often with her beloved Husband, The Duke of Edinburgh. On every occasion, come rain or shine, the people of Suffolk came out of their homes to welcome her with much love and affection. We remember especially her first visit to Suffolk in July of 1961 when she sailed on the Royal Yacht Britannia into Shotley at HMS Ganges, drove through Suffolk to open the Civic College in Ipswich and on to see the plans for the Cathedral extensions in Bury St Edmunds.

"Again, in July 1977, she toured the county celebrating her Silver Jubilee - entertained by Morris dancers and a specially commissioned composition by Benjamin Britten. Most recently in April 2009, where she distributed Maundy money at Bury St Edmunds Cathedral, she said: "Our sense of what it is to be British derives as much from the treasured towns, villages and coastline of East Anglia as it does from the great cities like London or Birmingham."   

"I know the people of Suffolk will want to pay their own personal tributes to Her Majesty. Therefore, books of condolence are being opened across the county, in addition to an online book of condolence which is now available on Suffolk County Council's website. As a mark of our respect, flags on all council buildings are being flown at half-mast as we join with the country, and the whole world, in mourning the loss of Her Majesty." 

God Save the King

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