Lord Mayor invites the public to the return of the mayor-making ceremony

Portsmouth residents have been invited to the first mayor-making ceremony in two years.

The 2019 Lord Mayor ceremony. Photo credit: Vernon Nash

Free tickets are available for the ceremony at Guildhall — which takes place on Tuesday 17th May. The doors will be opened at 9am and guests are asked to be seated by 9:30am.

The meeting will see the official handing over of the Lord Mayor — who has been voted to the position from the city councillors.

Due to the pandemic, the ceremony has not been open to the public for two years; however, this year will see the ceremony return to its full colours.

‘We have the speeches, the music accompaniment and the presentations to the Portsmouth civic awards,’ the current Lord Mayor Councillor Frank Jonas said.

Traditions such as the army handing over the Keys of the City and the Portsmouth Sword which symbolises the interdependence of the Navy and the city, ‘cannot fail to stir you,’ added the Lord Mayor.

The silver mace, the keys to the city and the Portsmouth sword - will all be presented in the ceremony

‘It really is good to watch,’ said the Lady Mayoress, Joy Maddox, ‘I remember the first time I went — I couldn’t believe how lovely it was.’

It is expected that between 400 and 500 people will attend the ceremony, explained Michelle Farminer, the council events officer.

The Navy presenting the silver sword, 2019. Photo credit: Vernon Nash

She added that all the support from Portsmouth residents and charity workers have been brilliant in the planning process of this ceremony.

Tickets can be collected from Cosham Library, Central Library or the Guildhall reception desk. Alternatively, tickets are available by calling 023 9268 8938 or emailing events@portsmouthcc.go.uk.