Monmouth’s newly-elected Mayor attended his civic service last Sunday.

From Shire Hall, the Mayor Councillor Richard Roden and his consort Mrs Mary Roden along with the full mayoral procession paraded to St Mary’s Priory Church for Monmouth Town Council’s civic service.

The service was conducted by the mayor’s chaplain, the Reverend Catherine Haynes and played in by organist Phillip Chant.

Preceding the mayor’s address, there was a scripture reading from Drybridge councillor and deputy mayor Cllr Mat Feakins.

In a heartfelt address, the mayoral speech focused on much of the work done by volunteers remarking: “If a need arises someone in Monmouth invariably steps up to the plate!”

Many of Monmouth’s groups were thanked, including Monmouth Gymnastics Club, Monmouth Carnival, Monmouth Rugby Football Club and particularly Monmouth Rotary. “Monmouth Rotary does so much to raise money for charity and is very, very highly regarded,” Cllr Roden said. “The Raft Race is one of the great public highlights each year.”

Closing the speech Cllr Roden commented on his fellow councillors saying: “The councillors give hours of support to the town every week and are often to be found in other groups, for example Cllr Dewhurst with the litter picking group, Cllr Treharne is a governor at Overmonnow School, and Cllr Gunter has worked tirelessly on the First World War commemorations”

The service was attended by around 100 at the church with around 65 adjourning to The Priory afterwards.

Traditionally every Mayor selects three charities to support for the year. Cllr Roden announced his choices to be: The Monmouth Charity, Cancer Research Wales and the National Autistic Society.

Speaking after the event, Monmouth assembly member Nick Ramsay, who was also in attendance, said: “I would like to wish Monmouth Town Council a successful year, and particularly offer my support to Councillor Roden as the town’s new Mayor.”