Mayor highlights the importance of public service
21 March 2023
Ross-on-Wye Mayor, Cllr Ed O’Driscoll, highlighted the importance of public service during the Town Council’s Civic Service on Sunday 19th March at St Mary’s Church.
The service was preceded by a procession from the Market House to the Church, with Senior Warrant Officer, Clinton Marsh, from the 1002 Ross-on-Wye Squadron Air Training Corps leading the parade.
The Service, conducted by Revd Sean Semple, was attended by The Deputy Lieutenant for Herefordshire, Paul Deneen OBE JP, Town Councillors, Former Ross Mayors, Mayor’s from surrounding towns, Scouts, Guides, Air Cadets and representatives from local community groups.
The Mayor had chosen specific readings for the advice they offer to all in public service, be they Parish Councillors or Ministers of State. In his reflection Cllr Ed O’Driscoll said: “The first reading this afternoon, that the Deputy Lieutenant Paul Deneen kindly read, reminds us that public servants are exactly that, servants of the public. Our positions are given to us so we may work to improve the lives of the wider community, and any authority we have comes with significant responsibility.
“The second reading, Orlando’s Prayer from As You Like It, has one particular, important line: ‘Let gentleness my strong enforcement be’. These words remind us how those of us in public service should strive to behave, with gentleness, understanding and patience.
“The third reading was the parable of the Good Samaritan. It reminds us of our responsibility to help those in need around us. Of our duty in the here and now to actively engage rather than walking by.
“The final reading, The Bridge Builder, reminds us of our responsibility to the future, to those that come after us. The metaphor of the bridge can be interpreted in many ways but to me it is the organisations and institutions that we create and support that will continue to work across communities once we have moved on.”
Ross-on-Wye Town Council would like to thank Ross-on-Wye the 1002 Ross-on-Wye Squadron Air Training Corps, Senior Warrant Officer Clinton Marsh, Ross-on-Wye Scouts, Revd Sean Semple, Paul Deneen OBE JP, Chairman of Herefordshire Council; Sebastian Bowen, Paul Cummings, Ross-on-Wye Town Band and to all who attended the service.