Southwark Mayor celebrates ‘unity in diversity’ at Civic Service

The service was led by Canon Andrew Nunn, sub dean of Southwark Cathedral, who told the congregation that that "people of faith, together with people of no faith, are working together in Southwark to make the very best of the glorious diversity of which we are part".

Bro Jebanesar read from St Paul's first letter to the Corinthians and Simon Hughes MP read John Lennon's 'Imagine'.

Sense of place

Anne Wolfe, chair of the Southwark Education Business Alliance, spoke about what Southwark means to her. She recalled moving to work for PricewaterhouseCoopers at London Bridge and gradually learning more about Southwark's distinctive sense of community.

"We all know that Southwark has its challenges too, but being proud of our surroundings – one's sense of place – can have an important and positive influence on emotional health," she said.

Cllr Mann, who is from Sri Lanka, invited a Tamil choir to perform during the service.

Unity in diversity

"It is often asserted that communities and organisations cannot be both united and diverse," said Cllr Eliza Mann during her address.

"Southwark is a place where a strong community has unity in diversity ... It sits within a city of many races, communities, languages, cultures and tensions."

Intercessions were led by Walworth-based Baptist minister Roy Dorey, Simon Thomas from Icthus, Anglican Archdeacon of Southwark Ven Michael Ipgrave and Revd Sheryl Anderson from Bermondsey Central Hall Methodist Church. Among those remembered in the prayers were Cllr Danny McCarthy, who is unwell, and Cllr Anne Yates, who died last month.

The congregation included deputy mayor Denise Capstick and past mayors of Southwark including Bob Skelly, Paul Kyriacou, Charlie Cherrill and Dot Winters. Canon James Cronin represented St George's Cathedral. Cllr Adele Morris, Cathedrals ward councillor and executive member for citizenship, equalities and communities, was also present.

Including the Mayor herself, only five of Southwark's 62 serving councillors were present for the Civic Service and none of the leaders of the borough's political groups were in attendance.

Harry Mayhead, pearly king of Bow Bells, and Doreen Golding, pearly queen of Old Kent Road, added some sparkle to the occasion.

Other events to be held in support of the mayor's fundraising and awareness-raising for Diabetes UK include Southwark Diabetes Week in November and a charity ball at the end of her mayoral year in May 2009.