Paul Deneen OBE JP DL, representing Her Majesty the Queen’s Representative for Herefordshire, the Countess of Darnley JP, was among several high-ranking local dignitaries to attend the Civic Service for the Mayor of Ross-on-Wye.

This year’s Mayor, Councillor David Ravenscroft, and his Mayoress Mrs Doreen Ravenscroft, welcomed the High Sheriff, the County Colonel and representatives of the Police, as well as Mayors from surrounding towns. And of course many Ross Town Councillors attended this special service at St Mary’s Church on Sunday, September 11th.

More pictures The service, and the ceremony when the Mayor, and the Town Councillors swear their oath of allegiance to the town, was led by the Rector, Rev Sarah Jones.

She wanted to use the opportunity to welcome people of all faiths, and none, to join together to thank those who serve others especially as volunteers.

The theme of her address was service, and said how much the Councillors do, not all of it glamorous or high profile, but most of it very important to our community.

She said:?“We are meant to build a society where everybody is valued and where the broken are supported and encouraged. If we could do it, that would truly be a land of hope and glory.”

She urged the Councillors to generate policies which will build up the people, and she added that it is important that they treat each other well, with kindness and respect.

Mr Deneen told the Ross Gazette that he was very grateful to everyone who had attended and organised the service. He said he was pleased to see the representatives of local organisations including the Royal British Legion, Scouts and pupils at John Kyrle High School.

He also thanked the Reverend Colin Leggate, Chaplain to Business, Commerce and Industry, and to all involved in the service and its organisation and for those who provided the excellent refreshments.

THE service, and the ceremony where the Mayor, and the Town Councillors swear their oath of allegiance to the town, was led by the Reverend Sarah Jones.

She wanted to use the opportunity to welcome people of all faiths, and none, to join together to thank those who serve others, especially as volunteers.

The theme of her address was service, and she said how much the Councillors do, not all of it glamorous or high profile, but most of it very important to our community.

She said:?“Politics can be a rough business. It is also incredibly time consuming.” She said that Councillors and council employees work very hard and often the work is not glamorous. She also referred to those ‘in this Facebook culture’ that sit at home moaning online.

She said:?“We are meant to build a society where everybody is valued and where the broken are supported and encouraged. If we could do it, that would truly be a land of hope and glory.”

She urged the Councillors to generate policies which will build up the people, and she added that it is important that they treat each other well, with kindness and respect.

One guest at the service, Peter McCaull, Vice Chairman of Herefordshire County Council, told the Gazette, that it was a memorable and enjoyable event.

Mr Deneen told the Ross Gazette that he was very grateful to everyone who had attended and organised the service. He said he was pleased to see the representatives of local organisations including the Royal British Legion, Scouts and pupils at John Kyrle High School.

He also thanked the Reverend Colin Leggate, Chaplain to Business, Commerce and Industry, and to all involved in the service and its organisation and for those who provided the excellent refreshments.