A Civic Service was held on Sunday (30th April) to mark the civic duties of the Isle of Wight council.
It was the Island’s first Civic Service to be held for three years due to the pandemic, after previously being postponed in September 2022 due to the death of Her Late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.
Held in Chale
Due to the current closure of Newport Minster for internal reordering, the service was held for the first time at St Andrew’s Church, Chale.
Prior to the service, the chairman of the council, Cllr Claire Critchison, was joined by dignitaries to take part in the procession led by Sven Tester, the church warden.
Attending the service
The service was taken by Rev Roger Whatley who led prayers and hymns for a congregation including the chairman of the council and councillors along with Vice Lord Lieutenant Brigadier Maurice Sheen, High Sheriff Dawn Haig-Thomas, Mayor of Fareham, Mayor of Eastleigh, Island town mayors, the Isle of Wight Youth Council and members of the community.
Also present were representatives of South Wight Area Youth (SWAY), the chairman’s charity for the year and a collection was made for the charity.
Critchison: Thank you so much to all those who attended
Cllr Critchison said,
“I would like to thank Rev Whatley for leading the service which offered prayer and guidance for the Isle of Wight council as it carries out its duty to our Island residents.
“Also thank you so much to all those who attended, the wonderful church team, bell ringers, choir and everyone involved in organising this service.
“It was a really lovely afternoon to celebrate all that we do as councillors and my year as chairperson and in my local ward.”
News shared by Isle of Wight council press office, in their own words. Ed
Image: © Jill Fothergill Left to right: Mayoress and Mayor of Fareham, Mayor and Mayoress of Eastleigh, Vice Chair of the IW Council Cllr Michael Lilley, chairs consort Eric Critchison, Chair of IW Council Cllr Claire Critchison, Mayor of East Cowes Cllr Tracey Reardon, Steve Hammond IW Council macebearer, Deputy Mayor of East Cowes Cllr Karl Love
