Queen Elizabeth II has sadly passed away after being the nation's monarch for more than 70 years, and many things are now going to change.
Yesterday, 8 September 2022, the UK and the world received devastating news of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's death.
Her death has jolted the nation, after 70 years on the throne the majority of us do not remember a time without her as our monarch.
Her face is inscribed on a number of items around the country, and as we transition into having a new King, Charles III, many things will have to change.
Here's a few of the things we can expect to change going forward.
The National Anthem
A change that will be implemented immediately is the change in the national anthem. It was 'God Save the Queen' but it will now revert to 'God Save the King', this was last sang under the Queen's father and predecessor, King George VI.
Stamps
Image: Unsplash
Stamps across the UK will be replaced with new stamps that have the face of King Charles III on them. The old stamps with Queen Elizabeth II on them will slowly be phased out of use.
Money
All notes and coins in the UK carry the image of the Queen on them. From now on, all new money printed or coins minted will contain the image of the new monarch.
Image: Unsplash
The old money will be slowly phased out to a point where eventually (and very far in the future), the old money will cease to be legal tender.
Other nations where the Queen is their head of state, such as Canada, Australia and New Zealand will also have to phase out their money.
Passports
Image: Unsplash
All passports issued in the UK for the past 70 years have contained this message "Her Britannic Majesty's Secretary of State requests and requires in the name of Her Majesty all those whom it may concern to allow the bearer to pass freely without let or hindrance and to afford the bearer such assistance and protection as may be necessary.”
This will now be updated with the King's pronouns however you will not have to update your passport until it expires.
Postboxes
Image: Unsplash
Every postbox in the UK built during the Queen's reign carries her royal cypher. This is EIIR, or Elizabeth II Regina, which is Latin for Queen.
All postboxes built under King Charles III reign will now carry a new cypher which is yet to be announced.
Uniforms
The Queen's military cypher is imprinted on lots of uniforms across the UK, including those worn by the armed forces and police.
This will be replaced by the King's military cypher which is yet to be announced.
Otley has announced its intention to bid to become UK Town of Culture 2028.
Entering into the national competition launched by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), the West Yorkshire town is hoping to be the first-ever town to claim the title.
The Town of Culture competition invites towns across the UK to showcase their cultural story and develop ambitious programmes that celebrate local heritage, creativity, and communities.
The winning town receives a £3 million grant from the Government to deliver a major year-long cultural programme in 2028 designed to boost civic pride, attract visitors, and provide everyone with the opportunity to participate in cultural activities.
Their bid is focused around the Otley 800, a year-long programme that will mark the 800th anniversary of the granting of the Royal Market Charter in 1227 and the bridge over the River Wharfe in 1228.
These two historic moments transformed Otley into the bustling market town that it is today, so it deserves to be recognised.
Work has been going on behind the scenes for the past two years, with the council and Otley BID working with residents to put plans in place for the special year.
More than 70 organisations have been involved.
Mayor of Otley Cllr Paul Carter said: “Otley has always been a town that punches above its weight. This bid is about celebrating our history, but also about investing in our future — creating opportunities for our community, raising our profile and making sure Otley continues to thrive for the next 800 years.”
The shortlist for UK Town of Culture 2028 is set to be announced later this year, with each chosen town receiving £60,000 to help deliver their full bids for the competition. Fingers crossed!
Permission granted for new ‘Corn Exchange Pavilion’ to be built in Leeds city centre
Clementine Hall
The green light has been given for a brand-new pavilion to be built outside the Corn Exchange in Leeds city centre.
Yesterday, Tuesday 31 March, the planning committee of Leeds City Council officially gave the green light to plans submitted by CX Leeds Ltd.
These include plans to build a pavilion outside the Corn Exchange, one of Leeds' most iconic city centre landmarks.
The new building will go where that rather underwhelming patch of astroturf currently lays, in front of the Cornucopia mural and next to the bus shelter.
It lies between New Market Street and Crown Street.
DEN Architecture state that the materials selected will create an intriguing single-storey structure that compliments the surrounding area.
They stated: “The scale of the building and roof form of the proposal pays tribute to the previous tram and bus shelters that once occupied the site.
"While retaining the appropriately subservient nature of any new building in close proximity to the Corn Exchange. This will also provide greater visibility of the Cornucopia Mural.
“The building has been designed following extensive and thorough analysis, with a clear understanding of the built environment and the area’s historic significance.”
It's not yet been decided upon what the building's use will be, although Leeds city council suggests it could be used for "outdoor functions, shops and cafes".
When first put forward to the council back in December 2024, the plans were met with three objections from the public.
So, what would you like to see go into this new space?
Clementine Hall -
9th September 2022 
