Local Mayors and dignitaries joined the Mayor of Farnham, Cllr Mrs Pat Frost as she made her promises of office at the town’s Civic Service on Sunday at St Andrew’s church.

The guests included the Mayor of Waverley, the High Sheriff, the Vice-Chairman of Surrey County Council, Mayors and Chairmen from nearby towns and parishes and the Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP.

The service began with the Mayoral party processing into church. This was followed by hymns and readings and a thought-provoking sermon by the Rt Rev’d Bishop Christopher Herbert. He questioned the sense of place and suggested that ‘one of the symbolic functions of the Mayor is to embody during the mayoral year something of that sense of place…the essence of the town, what makes it unique, special…’

A retiring collection was held for Farnham Assist which is the charity that the Mayor has chosen to support during her year. Farnham Assist is aimed at people aged over 60 and particularly those who live on their own. A team of volunteers visit the housebound offering anything from friendship to writing letters. The charity also provides opportunities for older people to meet new people and to learn new and useful skills.

The Mayor thanked everybody for joining her and gave special thanks to all those who contributed to the Civic Service. Following the service, the guests were invited to join the Mayor for light refreshments.

Civic Service 2015