Bishop recalls Queen's 'ability to make people feel special'

Tributes have been pouring in for the Queen from all corners of Leicestershire following her death at the age of 96.

The Bishop of Leicester, the Right Reverend Martyn Snow, was among those who remembered meeting her on several occasions and said she had the ability to make everybody she met feel special.

Other faith leaders from across the country have also said the Royal Family are in their prayers.

During her time as monarch she visited the county on several occasions.

Bishop Snow said: "I'm very fortunate to have met the Queen over the years on a number of different occasions.

"She came to Leicester in 2017 for Maundy Thursday. It's a very special service we have at the cathedral.

"She handed out Maundy money to people who had served the church and the community in different ways.

"My abiding memory was that as she gave this money to people who had served in such special ways, she looked each person in the eye as she was handing the money and it was a very personal expression of her thanks to them.

"And I think that ability she had to make everybody she met feel very special was something not many people can do."

He said he had also spent some time with the Queen at her Sandringham estate in Norfolk.

"The Queen placed such value on the church and her own personal faith, she invited bishops to come and spend a weekend at Sandringham with her each year," he said.

"I had the privilege of doing that and preaching at Sandringham Church in front of the Queen and various other members of the Royal Family and sharing the weekend, sharing various meals and different social occasions."

The bells of Leicester cathedral have been muffled and a single one was being used to toll for an hour from midday.

Bell-ringer John Davies said it was a "great honour" to pay the tribute.

Other religious leaders from across the county have also been paying their respects to Britain's longest reigning monarch.

The Leicester Council of Faiths - whose members include representatives from the Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim and Sikh communities - said: "As faith and community leaders and representatives, we are grateful for her service to our nation and of her dedication to her work.

"Her Majesty leaves behind a legacy like no other and we pray for wisdom and guidance for her successor.

"We will have her in our thoughts and prayers, and we wish the Royal Family solace and comfort at this difficult time."

Suleman Nagdi, spokesperson for the Federation of Muslim Organisations, said: "On behalf of the Leicestershire Muslim community, we express our deep sadness and condolences to the family of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth.

"She has been a living example both in her living years and in the memories that we now carry for our monarch who had earned the love and respect of peoples of all nations right across the globe."

Flags have also been lowered by Leicestershire County Council and Rutland County Council.

The leader of Leicestershire County Council, Nick Rushton, said: "We are all deeply moved to hear of the death of her majesty the Queen.

"As a mark of respect, during the period of royal mourning, the union and county flags have been half-masted at county hall.

"Our headquarters will also be illuminated in purple until after the Queen's funeral."

The county council and Leicester City Council have condolence books available for those who wish to pay tribute.

Flowers and other tributes can be laid in Green Dragon Square, where the Lord Mayor of Leicester and other dignitaries will lay wreaths on Saturday.

A vigil service will be held for the Queen at St Mary's Church, Hinckley, at 19:30 BST on Friday.

Dr Sarah Furness, Lord-Lieutenant of Rutland, added: "Her Majesty provided an exemplar of public service, putting the needs of the majority and the country before herself.

"Her life will for ever be recorded in history.

"We remember her life with immense gratitude."

Universities across Leicestershire have also paid tribute.

In 1957, Her Majesty granted the University College Leicester the Royal Charter, which gave the institution university status with the right to award its own degrees, establishing the University of Leicester.

The Queen visited on two occasions, in 1958 and 2008.

President and vice-chancellor - Professor Nishan Canagarajah - offered the university's "deepest sympathies" to the Royal Family.

"Her memory lives on, not simply in the buildings that she opened, but in the very purpose of our existence as a university established under her authority," he said.

"We give thanks for her unparalleled role as a defining figure of our time."

Loughborough University said it was honoured to welcome Her Majesty to its campus in 2003 to officially open the England and Wales Cricket Board National Academy.

The Duchess of Rutland, Emma Manners, paid tribute to the Queen and confirmed the Festival of the Horse event at Belvoir Castle would go ahead this weekend.

The festival, in its second year, hosts a variety of equestrian events such as jousting, dressage, polo and trick riding.

"The Queen had such a profound love of horses, and we feel that the festival will provide a welcome opportunity for our community to come together in recognition of Her Majesty's 70 years of service to the country and Commonwealth," she said.

Local politicians have also led tributes to the Queen.

Alberto Costa - the Conservative MP for South Leicestershire - shared a memory of the Queen in his tribute.

"I had the pleasure of joining the Queen for lunch during her visit to Leicester in spring 2017," he said.

"I saw first-hand her kindness, grace and of course her famous sense of humour.

"It goes without saying that the Queen's impact on our country and the Commonwealth is immeasurable, and her lasting legacy will leave an indelible mark on all of us."

Other county politicians have also shared messages of condolence.

Leicester City Mayor, Sir Peter Soulsby, who greeted the Queen on her 2012 visit to the city, said: "I am profoundly saddened by the news of Her Majesty's passing, and on behalf of the city extend my sympathies to our new monarch and all of the Royal Family."

The Mayor of Charnwood, Cllr Jenny Tillotson, said: "Queen Elizabeth selflessly served our country for so many years and earned the respect of not just this nation, but of those around the world.

"Now is a time for mourning, but we should remember her, with pride and affection."

The Curve Theatre in Leicester also passed on their "sincere condolences to the Royal Family on this very sad day".

David Meek, interim CEO of Twycross Zoo, paid tribute to the Queen, saying she was a "great advocate for animals and the natural world".

He said: "As a conservation charity dedicated to the protection of endangered species, we are grateful to the Queen for raising awareness of these critical issues both here in the UK and around the world during her lifetime of dedicated service."

Leicestershire Police said the loss of the Queen was keenly felt by its officers and staff.

In a statement, the force said: "For those of us who have sworn an oath, this is a poignant day.

"Our ability to serve the law is down to our constitutional monarchy and we have been proud to serve during her remarkable reign."

Follow BBC East Midlands on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].