The newly appointed Mayor of Barnsley, Cllr James Michael Stowe, would like to invite residents across the borough to join him and the mayoress, Elaine Stowe, at Barnsley’s traditional Civic Service to mark and celebrate the start of his mayoral year for 2023-2024.

The service will take place on Thursday 15 June, 4pm until 5pm at St Mary’s Parish Church, Church Street, Barnsley. You’re advised to arrive and be seated no later than 3.50pm to ensure the congregation is ready for the arrival of the civic party.

The service will be led by Revd Phillip Maries, Rector of the Central Barnsley Benefice and you’ll be treated to entertainment by four young people from Angel Voices Performing Arts Academy.

The mayor, said: “The mayoress and I are very much looking forward to welcoming residents to the Civic Service where we will be officially welcomed in our new roles as Barnsley’s mayor and mayoress.

“I am so honoured to have the opportunity as mayor to represent my hometown over the coming year, so it’s only fitting that I am joined by residents and families representing our communities across the borough to celebrate and acknowledge my year in office.

“I’m really looking forward to having the opportunity to meet residents at the service, and in-keeping with my mayoral theme - ‘Inclusive Communities’, I’m equally looking forward to getting out into our diverse communities; meeting people and supporting local events.

“An important part of my role is the opportunity to raise money for my chosen mayoral charities and I have already started planning some exciting fundraising activities for later this year. I’ll be striving to not only represent Barnsley as a place but also the spirit of our communities as I fulfil my mayoral responsibilities for the borough.” 

The service is public and so everyone is welcome to attend without a personal invitation. 

Find out more about the mayor and the mayoral charities on our dedicated mayoral webpage.