Westminster Abbey’s annual Civic Service

Monday, 6th July 2009

Westminster Abbey’s annual Civic Service was held on Sunday 5th July 2009.

The Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr John Hall, welcomed The Lord Mayor, Cllr Duncan Sandys who was accompanied by his wife Mary Brown and other Westminster councillors.

Cllr Sandys is the great grandson of Winston Churchill and the City's youngest ever Lord Mayor.

The Address was given by the Lord Mayor’s Chaplain, the Reverend Canon Nigel Nicholson.

Lessons were read by the leader of Westminster City Council, Cllr Colin Barrow (1 Chronicles 28: 6-10) and the Lord Mayor (Mark 10: 35-45).

Prayers were led by the Reverend Michael Macey, Minor Canon of Westminster.

The service was sung by the Choir of Westminster Abbey conducted by the Organist and Master of Choristers James O’Donnell. The organ was played by Robert Quinney, Sub Organist. Music before the service was played by Léon Charles, Organ Scholar.

A collection was taken during the service for the Lord Mayor’s Charity which this year will raise funds for St Andrew’s Club in Old Pye Street, the world’s oldest youth club which offers a balanced and appealing programme of activities for young people.
The service was also attended by the Lord Lieutenant of Greater London, Sir David Brewer; the High Sheriff of Greater London, Mr Andrew Morgan; the Westminster Commander of the Metropolitan Police, Mr Simon Bray; the Vice Chancellor of the University of Westminster, Dr Geoffrey Petts,; the Principal of King’s College London, Professor Richard Trainor; Her Majesty’s Coroner for the City of Westminster, Dr Paul Knapman; and the Deputy Lord Lieutenant for Westminster, Brigadier Paul Orchard-Lisle.

The mayoral party was led into the Abbey by the Westminster Waterman Gary Quilter and after the service an honour guard was formed by 12 cadets from 291 (Westminster and Chelsea) Squadron, Air Training Corps.