See how Birmingham is reacting to Queen Elizabeth II’s passing

The day after Queen Elizabeth II died, Bham Now ventured out and checked on several local Birmingham restaurants and British residents to get their reaction.

Here is what we found.

Little London—a Place to Gather

We sat in silence.

On a Friday afternoon, the day after the passing of Queen Elizabeth, I had come to Little London Kitchen in West Homewood to talk to the pub’s beloved owner Bea Morrissette.

After introducing myself, I paused. 

Customers bustled around us. Bea was sitting on a comfortable chair, and I was on a plush  couch. We were in a corner of the pub. Bea was quiet. 

After what was probably only 10-20 seconds, even though it seemed much longer, she said,

“I didn’t sleep much last night.”

She then began to tell me how the Queen had been a part of her life. Her Majesty’s death was a surprise.

At the time of the interview, Little London did not have any special plans during the week of mourning. 

But—if you need a place to gather to celebrate the life of Queen Elizabeth II, have an authentic British meal or just a place to watch the ceremonies—Bea wanted everyone to know ALL ARE WELCOME. 

Alabama Ballet’s Tracey Alvey—“One of the greatest accomplishments and honors of my career”

When we reached out to Alabama Ballet’s Artistic Director Tracey Alvey, she called us within an hour, despite being out of town.

A native of Kent, in southeast England, Alvey told us how the Queen supported the arts, especially ballet and dance. She spoke lovingly of the Queen.

Below is a statement Alvey and the Alabama Ballet sent to Bham Now after we talked.

“On behalf of the Alabama Ballet, I would like to express our great sadness at the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. As a former dancer for London City Ballet and as a Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) certified instructor, I wish to also express my greatest appreciation for The Queen and her support of dance, the RAD, and the arts. 

Her long-standing patronage to ballet is something that many dancers in the industry fondly remember as a career highlight. In my time with the London City Ballet, I was grateful to perform for Her Majesty; one of the greatest accomplishments and honors of my career. This is a sad time for us all. I, along with many other UK natives, have not known my home country before Queen Elizabeth II’s reign. She was a steady presence among wavering times. My thoughts and prayers are with my fellow people of England and the Royal Family at this extremely difficult time.”

The Anvil Pub on 280—Remembering the Queen with a Special Meal

Much like their counterpart in Homewood, The Anvil Pub at Lee’s Branch off Highway 280 expects to be a place for folks to come together and celebrate the life of Queen Elizabeth II.

“We want to be a place where fellow expats can get together and have that camaraderie that you are seeing right now on the TV,” said Anvil co-owner and chef Sedesh Boodram, who is a native of Trinidad and Tobago. “I’m from a British colony. So she’s always been that figure that’s always been around.”

In celebration of her life and legacy, Boodram has added a Coronation Chicken Pasty with Mint Chutney to The Anvil’s menu.

Birmingham Museum of Art – A beautiful Medallion

In honor of Queen Elizabeth II, the Birmingham Museum of Art displayed on their Facebook page a beautiful Wedgwood blue jasper medallion profile portrait of the Queen. This particular piece commemorates her coranation in 1953.

The Buten Collection at the Birmingham Museum of Art has more than 8000 Wedgewood pieces – one of the finest in the country.

Below is the post, description and the beautifully crafted profile of a young queen who would reign for seven decades.

Now tell us, BIrmingham, what memories or experiences do you have of the late Queen Elizabeth II? Tag us on social @bhamnow and let us know.