THERE was sadness on the streets of Evesham as people paid their respects to the late Queen Elizabeth.

Members of the public took solace by placing flowers at the Almonry Museum and Tourist Information on Abbey Gate. 

A handful of businesses in Evesham also paid their respects to the Queen with dedicated shop windows.
Fay Stanley, 88, placed a bouquet of flowers at the Almonry. 

Evesham Journal: Fay Stanley, 88 places flowers down for the Queen at The Almonry in EveshamFay Stanley, 88 places flowers down for the Queen at The Almonry in Evesham (Image: Fay Stanley, 88)

Mrs Stanley said: "I'm 88 and the Queen was the main influence for me when I was a child and I remember so much about her childhood because I was a similar age. 

"I am a Christian, so I rejoiced that the Queen also had Jesus Christ in her life.

"I shall miss her so much." 

Evesham Journal: Flowers have been placed at Almonry in Evesham for the QueenFlowers have been placed at Almonry in Evesham for the Queen (Image: Flowers for the Queen have been placed at the Alamory in Evesham)

Philip Hughes, who had been commissioned by Evesham Town Council to create a memorable garden for the Queen's platinum Jubilee, said: "It's sad, we were contracted to make this garden for the Queen's Jubilee, but it's sad she has passed before we finished it.

"But it's a very prestigious job, and a nice way to remember the Queen."

David Yeates, business owner of Simply Stone Memorials on Port Street, said: "For most people, it has been a sense of disbelief more than a sense of loss. 

Evesham Journal: David Yeates pays his respects to the late Queen Elizabeth David Yeates pays his respects to the late Queen Elizabeth (Image: David Yeates pays his respects to the late Queen Elizabeth)

"No one in living memory has had to change the monarch.

"I'm not a royalist, but since she was 25 she has not wavered from her role. 

"As a country, we should feel lucky that we had someone so reliable."

Mr Yeates said he wants to keep the display in the window up till Bank Holiday Monday at the latest and then he will change it for the King's coronation. 

Just opposite Mr Yeates is a cycle shop that had also put a photo of The Queen in their shop window. 

Evesham Journal: Paul Turner, from Vale Cycles, said everyone has to show their respect however they can Paul Turner, from Vale Cycles, said everyone has to show their respect however they can (Image: Paul Turner, from Vale Cycles, said everyone has to show their respect however they can)

Paul Turner, from Vale Cycles, said: "We all have to pay respects to the lady who has been our mother for donkey's years.

Evesham Journal: Staff from Amber Locks on Bridge Street put up a window display in honour of the late Queen ElizabetStaff from Amber Locks on Bridge Street put up a window display in honour of the late Queen Elizabet (Image: Staff from Amber Locks on Bridge Street put up a window display in honour of the late Queen Elizabet)

Jerry Davis, owner of Amber Locks on Bridge Street, said: "We wanted to show respect to the Queen, I want to reflect on the sadness of the passing. 

"She was someone who projected a very positive image of our nation."