YEOVIL NEWS: Civic Service celebrations for the Mayor

CIVIC leaders and dignitaries from around Somerset and the South West converged on St John’s Church on Sunday (July 5, 2015) for the annual civic service of the Mayor of Yeovil.

The Mayor, Cllr Mike Lock, was joined by his wife, the Mayoress, Cllr Pauline Lock, South Somerset District Council chairman Cllr Mike Best and mace bearer Bruce Trigger at the head of the procession which made its way into the church for the service and was greeted by a fanfare welcome from Yeovil Town Band.

Opening remarks and prayers were led by the Rector of St John’s Church, Revd James Dudley-Smith, before the congregation sang the hymn Lord of All Hopefulness.

There were wonderful performances during the service by the People’s Choir with Ave Verum and Lily of the Valley, while there were Bible readings made by the Mayor and his grandson Jamie Lock.

The Address was made by the Mayor’s Chaplain, Revd Jim Pearce, who spoke of the importance of “significant individuals” – saying that everybody could make a significant contribution to their community and make it a better place.

PHOTO - ABOVE: The Mayor and Mayoress follow mace bearer Bruce Trigger away from St John's Church following the Mayor's Civic Service on Sunday.

He made reference to one “significant individual” who many in the congregation had said farewell to just a couple of days before in St John’s Church on Friday (July 3, 2015) at the funeral of Tony Fife, a former Mayor of Yeovil, and long-standing town and district councillor.

The Mayor was asked to make the Liturgy of Commitment – his pledge to serve the Yeovil community to the best of his ability.

PHOTO - RIGHT: The Mayor of Yeovil, Cllr Mike Lock, and the Mayoress, Cllr Pauline Lock.

Other hymns sung during the service were One More Step Along the World I Go, Lord for the Years and I Vow to Thee My Country.

Prayers for the community were led by Revd Tom Putt, the Chaplain of Yeovil College, while Yeovil Town Band performed during the service.

A collection was held during the service for the Mayor’s chosen charities – Yeovil Heartbeat and the Macmillan Unit both of which are based at Yeovil District Hospital.

The Blessing was led by the Revd James Dudley-Smith before the service closed with the singing of the National Anthem.

An evening meal was then held at the Westland leisure complex in Yeovil by the Mayor and his invited guests.

More photos from the Civic Service can be found on these links:

Photo Gallery 1: http://www.yeovilpress.co.uk/blog/2015/07/08/mayor-of-yeovil-s-civic-service-part-1-july-5-2015/ .

Photo Gallery 2: http://www.yeovilpress.co.uk/blog/2015/07/08/mayor-of-yeovil-s-civic-service-part-2-july-5-2015/ .

PHOTO - ABOVE: The Deputy Mayor of Yeovil, Cllr Darren Shutler (second right), and his wife Anna, along with a former Mayor of Yeovil, Cllr Wes Read, and his wife Trudie.

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