People at the Heart of Faringdon

This morning, I had the very great pleasure of attending the Civic Service for the town of Faringdon, held in the beautiful surroundings of All Saints’ Church. I was accompanied by Mark, my Chamberlain; Anne, my Chaplain; and Shaun, our ever-dedicated Cadet Coordinator. We were joined by Colonel Neil Sutherland OBE DL, who was deputising for the Lord Lieutenant. Together, we joined the Mayor, councillors, local dignitaries, and an inspiring cross-section of the town’s voluntary sector to reflect on the spirit of public service and the strength of community.

The service was led with warmth and clarity by the Revd Maria Jukes, whose informal and inclusive style created a genuine sense of welcome. It was a joy to be part of such a gathering, where tradition and togetherness went hand in hand. The Mayor of Faringdon, Cllr Peter Castle, read one of the lessons with great poise, as did Cllr Dr Mike Wise – a former Mayor and now honoured as a Freeman of the town.

All Saints’ Church has stood at the heart of Faringdon for centuries. Its striking tower dates to the 14th century and offers views across the Vale of the White Horse, while the building itself has borne witness to generations of worship, conflict, and celebration – not least during the Civil War when it suffered damage from cannon fire. Today, it remains a proud and much-loved place of worship and community gathering.

After the service, tea and sandwiches were served – giving me the chance to meet many of the people who give Faringdon its pulse. Representatives of the RNLI, Rotary, the Royal British Legion, FollyFest and numerous other organisations spoke with such evident pride in the work they do. Their dedication reminds me once again that it is the quiet, persistent efforts of volunteers that form the bedrock of a resilient community.

A lovely touch during the service was the invitation for each of us to personalise a small paper figure, which were then displayed collectively – a gentle yet powerful symbol of how every individual plays a part in the shared story of Faringdon.

The sermon focused on leadership – not simply as a position of authority, but as a responsibility held with integrity, honesty, and humility. It was a timely and moving message, especially for those of us privileged to serve in public life.

I left Faringdon feeling uplifted, reminded yet again of how much strength lies in local communities – and how vital it is that we continue to hear, recognise, and support those who serve them so faithfully.