ACROSS the nation, people are leaving floral tributes to the Queen, as the nation mourns.
Sites have been set up in both Reading and Wokingham for those wishing to pay their respects, but organisers are asking people to make one small change that will have a big impact and help create a lasting legacy for the Queen.
Flowers are being left by the statue of Queen Victoria in Reading’s Blagrave Street.
The mayor of Reading, Cllr Rachel Eden, was the first to do so at a short ceremony held at 10am on Friday, September 9.
Likewise, space has been created outside Wokingham’s town hall for people to do the same.
The area is where the Christmas tree normally stands.
Both sites are within walking distance of their town halls, where books of condolence are available for people to sign.
Flowers can also be left near the pond at Wokingham Borough Council’s Shute End offices.
Wokingham Town Council said that it will remove on a daily basis any soft toys left out, and these will then be given to charities to share.
But they are also asking people who leave flowers to remove the cellophane wrapping.
There are two reasons for doing so.
The first is simply because they look better.
The second is they are easier to dispose of in an environmentally friendly way once the period of mourning has ended – they can be composted and used to help create new trees and flowers in a lasting tribute to the Queen.