A gathering of borough councillors, council officers and invited guests congregated outside Rugby Town Hall before lining up behind the town’s new mayor, Cllr Nooria Sayani yesterday (June 14).

They were there to take part in the town’s Civic Sunday parade, an event which has been held annually since 2008 to coincide with the appointment of a new town mayor.

Looking dignified and composed in her red ceremonial mantle and tricorn hat, Cllr Sayani led the procession of enrobed councillors and local dignitaries up North Street to Saint Andrew’s Church, where the Rector, Canon Edmund Newey, was waiting to conduct the church service.

A major theme of Cllr Sayani’s mayoral year will be the promotion of community pluralism, an inclusiveness project based on three guiding principles: connection, compassion and cohesion.

In pictures: Civic Sunday in Rugby town centre. Pictures: Patrick Joyce.

placeholder image — In pictures: Civic Sunday in Rugby town centre. Pictures: Patrick Joyce.

In her speech, she said: “First and foremost, I am here to serve the people of Rugby.

"My aim will be to build upon the inclusive and dynamic vision we have for our town; to drive civil society partnerships towards strengthening our vital support services; to help build pluralistic communities that respect and share with one another and to make Rugby a shining beacon of hope at a time when hope is most needed.”

In his sermon, Canon Newey referred to Sayani’s Muslim faith, saying.

He said: “Nooria is the first female Muslim Mayor of Rugby, and, like every mayor, she will bring her own background and experience to bless our borough. As a

Muslim she will bring the gift of mystical teaching from the Sufi tradition of Islam; this can teach us how to dig below the superficial differences that underly the truth we all share.”

This year, the honour of reading the prayer for the borough of Rugby went to Cadet Corporal Joshua Tan of St John Ambulance Cadets.

Sam Lewis, the County Commissioner of St John Ambulance, said: “Josh’s performance in his role as appointed representative of the town’s youth, was dignified and delivered with confidence.

"We look forward to working with Mayor Sayani during her year and we wish her every success.”

For more information on the Mayor of Rugby, or to invite the Mayor to an engagement or event, visit www.mayorofrugby.org.uk