Mayoral Service Sunday 12th July 2015.
The best of Torfaen directors were invited to the Mayoral service by Councillor Giles Davies the new Mayor of Torfaen. Paul and Megan Dovey were able to attend.
It was a great honour to be asked and once the dress code was sorted, we were looking forward to it.
Arriving at the church Trinity Methodist in Abersychan, (a church we hadn’t been in before) we were greeted at the door by the deputy Mayor Councillor Veronica Crick her consort and husband Colin and the mayor’s chaplain Martin Freeman.
Just inside the door we were also given a warm welcome by some ladies from the church.
Outside the sky was a little dark but inside, the beautiful church was light and airy with a lovely smell coming from the beautiful fresh flowers displayed around the walls.
With the arrival of the Mayor and Mayoress the services begun with words of welcome follow by the hymn O worship the King all-glorious above. Prays were said, than the Psalm 25 performed by Lucy Phillips, her voice filled the church and everyone was spell bound.
The first lesson 1 Samuel 16:1-13, was read by Mr Nick Thomas-Symonds MP follow by a performance by the Garndiffaith Gleemen conductor Mr John Jolley and accompanist Mr Gareth Kibble. I must say this was one of the many high lights of the day for me, the sound of Welsh man raising they voices in song, wonderful.
The second lesson 1 Corinthians 12: 1-11, was read by Mr Jack Hanbury-Tenison, Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Gwent.
Matthew 4: 1-11, read by Pastor John funnel. More prayers and then the hymns Guide me, O thru great Redeemer and To God be the glory, great things he hath done.
Our new Mayor Giles Davies than made his request for prayers and blessing.
Followed by the hymn I vow to thee, my country, all earthly things above.
The blessing were said and ending the service with the two National Anthems.
Mae hen wlad fy nhadau yn annwyl I mi,
Gwlad beirdd a chantorion, enwogion o fri;
‘Ei gwrol ryfelwyr, gwladgarwyr tra mad,
Tros ryddid collasant eu gwaed.
Gwlad! Gwlad!
Pleidiol wyf I’m gwlad,
Tra’r mor yn fur I’r bur hoff bau,
O bydded I’r hen iaith barhau.
God save our gracious Queen,
Long live our noble Queen,
God Save the Queen.
Send her victorious,
Happy and glorious,
Long to reign over us:
God Save the Queen.
This was a wonderful way to end the service, both sang with pride. These days it’s sad to find at church services people mouth their way through the hymns, but throughout all the hymns and the National Anthems, voices rang out, our thanks to the organist Mr John Jolley who kept us all in tune.
We then all attended the after service lunch at Garndiffaith Millennium Hall, Pontypool, again a first for us, what a lovely place.
Again we received a warm welcome. Now was the time to chat and enjoy a wonderful buffet put on by the ladies of the Garndiffaith Millennium Hall, they did themselves and everyone there proud, personally, I would like to say a big thank you to each and every one of them, it’s not easy cratering for so many. The food was great and so was the company.
We would also like to thank The Mayor, Councillor Giles Davies and the Mayoress, Mrs Amanda Price for their kind invitation. We enjoyed the day and were only too pleased to show our support.
Charity fundraising will be a key feature to the work’s Giles will be doing this year, his chosen charities are:
The Alzheimer’s Society
British Heart Foundation
Pancreatic Cancer
The Lhanerch memorial fund.
Here at The Best of Torfaen we will be happy to help in whatever way we can and show our support for our New Mayor of Torfaen.
