Last Sunday, 26 June, I celebrated my Civic Service at the church of St. Thomas-on-The Bourne, Farnham. I was supported by a congregation of over 100 including a dozen Mayor & Chairs of Towns and Boroughs from across Surrey and Hampshire.
The service was conducted by the Curate, the Rev. Sandy Clarke, and the Address was given by the Rt. Rev. Dr. Christopher Herbert, former Bishop of St. Albans. The chosen readings included The Gifts of Wisdom, The Gift of Love and Footprints in the Sand. In giving my Promise of Office, I pledged him to “serve the Borough and its people to the best of my ability”.
At the end of the service, which included a brilliant Anthem by the Choir, there was a retiring collection for my two Charities; Creative Response, a small local charity offering arts-based workshops for those experiencing mental health and learning difficulties and the Jigsaw Trust which runs a school supporting children with autism to reach their full potential.
I am deeply committed to aiding these charities in helping vulnerable people of all ages in Waverley and doing all that I can to support them as Mayor.
Thank you to all who attended my Civic Service and to those who gave to my retiring collection which raised £364.50 for my nominated charities.
I look forward with great anticipation as to what the future holds and what we can achieve as a community over the next year.
To find out more about my year as Mayor keep visiting my blog https://mayorwaverley.wixsite.com/2021 or go to www.waverley.gov.uk/mayor.
If you would like to donate to my charities go to: JustGiving Waverley Mayor.