The Worshipful the Mayor of Eastbourne, Councillor Colin Belsey, will carry out his first major civic duty by attending the annual Church Service and Parade to celebrate and bless the new Mayor on Sunday 21 May. Mayor’s Sunday dates back centuries and takes place in many towns and cities across the country following the election of a new Mayor.
Attending this year’s Service and Parade will be Eastbourne’s most recently awarded Honorary Freeman, Mr Henry Allingham.
The Mayor of Eastbourne, Councillor Colin Belsey, says, “I am very proud to have been elected as Mayor and look forward to the Annual Civic Service at St Mary's - our Parish Church. I hope that residents will share in this traditional event and support those many volunteer cadet groups who have given up their time in order to take part. It is a special honour to also have Mr Allingham in attendance. He is a remarkable man and is very welcome. This service represents the start of the Civic Year and I look forward to working on behalf of our town to promote Eastbourne as a great place in which to live and work.”
Volunteer cadet groups will assemble outside the Parish Church of St Mary’s, Old Town, at 10.40am on Sunday 22 May. The new Mayor Elect will proceed from outside the Prince Albert Public House to the Church, past the Cadets Guard of Honour, while the Eastbourne Scottish Pipe Band play.
The Church Service, which can be attended by all residents of the town, starts at 11.15am and will be conducted by Canon Charles Lansdale, who will bless the new Mayor. The Mayor’s Chaplain this year will be Pastor Graham Marsh from Kings Church where the Mayor attends.
Following the service, the cadet forces will form up at approximately 12.15pm and march in front of the Mayor and Civic Party to the Town Hall. The Mayor will then inspect all the participants and thank them for taking part.
