Ponteland was on the march yesterday as it held its first Civic Service.Pipers, a youth choir, the Boys Brigade and Girls Brigade all took part in the new annual event, launched to carry on a long-standing Castle Morpeth tradition following the demise of the Borough Council, which previously ran a borough-wide civic service.
Leaders of all the local churches joined together for the upbeat service at St Mary’s Church, which was led by The Reverend Peter Barham, Vicar of Ponteland.
North Tyneside Pipe Band led the civic party in parades to and from the Memorial Hall, where guests enjoyed afternoon tea after the service.
They included politicians, local businesspeople and representatives of a wide range of parish organisations, including charities and clubs.Town Mayor Robin Ramsay, behind the idea to launch a new annual civic service for Ponteland, said: “This is just one of a number of events in Ponteland’s calendar which I want to develop as part of the new Town Council’s vision of giving residents a real sense of pride in Ponteland. Our next big event is the Party in the Park on Sunday June 7. “It was really pleasing to see so many people, young and old, turn out on such a lovely afternoon and I’d like to thank everyone involved in organising such a successful first event.”
