This week, we were delighted to welcome children from Holy Rood Primary School to Barnsley Town Hall at our latest Citizenship ceremony. The ceremony was attended by 14 individuals who had recently been granted legal status by the home office to Britain. At the ceremony, they took the final steps in becoming a British citizen, accompanied by Christmas singing from the children.

During the ceremony, which was led by Registration officer, Mike Lancaster, the local school children were able to observe the ceremony and learn more about British Citizenship, fitting in perfectly with their current curriculum activities. Our Citizenship ceremonies are notoriously a joyous occasion, but this latest ceremony provided all attendees with a real festive treat as they enjoyed Christmas songs being sung by the children.

The ceremony was attended by the Mayor of Barnsley and her Dignitaries, including, the Deputy Lieutenant, Col Kilburn; the Young Mayor, Parish Tevy; Chief Monitoring Officer, Sukdave Ghuman, and Proper Officer, Dave Robinson along with the team of Registrars, conducting the service. 

Group Citizenship ceremonies are held in Barnsley every four to six weeks and mark the last step in becoming a British Citizen. The delegates are able to invite their families to join them at the ceremony as they make an oath of allegiance. They also make a pledge to respect the rights, freedoms, and laws of the UK, followed by being presented with a certificate of British Citizenship

The Mayor of Barnsley, said: “I love being a part of our British Citizen ceremonies. They are such happy occasions and presenting citizens with their British citizen certificate is such an honour.”

“With Christmas fast approaching, we thought it would be extra special to bring some festivities to the proceedings. So, having the children sing to us all at the end was truly magical and I would like to thank the children for helping to make the ceremony so special for our new British Citizens. I also hope that the new citizens feel welcomed and at home in our inclusive and diverse borough.”

Headteacher from Holy Rood Catholic Primary School, Mrs Karen Dobson, said: ”It has been wonderful for the children to experience a Citizenship ceremony in the town hall. We have been learning about diversity in people. The theme of our literacy texts has been movement and migration, so it was a great opportunity for them to witness it first-hand.

“They were so excited to be a part of this, and it was an honour to sing Christmas songs to the Mayor of Barnsley, her Dignitaries, and new citizens. Thank you to everyone involved.”