Wigan Council's leader is to attend the Queen's funeral

The leader of Wigan Council says he is “humbled and honoured” to have been invited to attend Her Majesty The Queen’s funeral.
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Coun David Molyneux was told by the Cabinet Office that he is one of only a few people from the North West who will be among the 2,500 congregation of dignitaries at Westminster Abbey on the morning of Monday September 19.

The veteran politician was only recently appointed an MBE in the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee honours for services to local government and he was informed that it was for such reasons that the invitation was extended.

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The 68-year-old from Ince recently celebrated the 40th anniversary of being a Wigan councillor and he took over the leader’s role when his predecessor, the late Lord Smith, stepped down.

Coun David MolyneuxCoun David Molyneux
Coun David Molyneux

He told Wigan Today: “The excitement of being invited is tempered by the fact that it will be a very sad and sombre occasion.

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"There are certain moments in history that stick in everyone’s memories and I am sure this will be one of them, and to be at the funeral itself is astonishing to think of.

"I got the call last Saturday on the day it was announced when the funeral would be. I feel hugely proud to be asked and I will be proudly representing the people and borough of Wigan when I do attend.”

Westminster AbbeyWestminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey
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Coun Molyneux is catching the earliest train – at 5am – on Monday to get down to the capital in plenty of time.

Details of what happens thereafter are only being released a bit at a time and some details will be withheld for security reasons.

But eventually he will take his seat in that vast and famous church and be rubbing shoulders with hundreds of world leaders, royals and other international dignitaries.

The leader first met Her Majesty when she opened the Wigan Pier attractions in 1986.

There was more time spent in her and the Duke of Edinburgh’s company when the royal couple came to the borough in 2009 to open Leigh Sports Village officially.

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Coun Molyneux said: “Those memories came flooding back when it was announced that Her Majesty had died.

"After all the Sports Village she opened has been much in the news of late, what with the Women’s Euros and the forthcoming Rugby League World Cup.”

And what was the Queen like?

"She came across as a very nice and knowledgeable person. You felt relaxed in her company, she was good to talk to and I am sure countless other people, like my, were left with a great impression of her.”