Mayor's tribute to Queen

FALMOUTH'S mayor is paying his own tribute to the Queen on the eve of the 60th anniversary of her accession to the throne by staging his civic service.

Although traditionally held during the summer, Councillor Geoffrey Evans decided last year to postpone his service until this weekend to tie in with the landmark anniversary.

Mr Evans has more reasons than most in public office to mark the occasion, having also been mayor during the Queen's Silver and Golden Jubilee years.

He has met her six times, including during her jubilee tour visits to Falmouth in 1977 and 2002.

The civic service at Falmouth Parish Church at 4pm on Sunday promises to be a grand affair with more than 200 people due to attend. It will be preceded by a parade from The Moor to the church led by Carharrack and St Day Silver Band.

Among those expected with Falmouth Town Council members are mayors from Penryn, Truro, Camborne and Helston; Sarah Newton, MP; and representatives from Mylor and Budock Parish Councils and Cornwall Council.

There will also be representatives from the Royal British Legion, Merchant Navy Association, Parachute Regiment, Royal Naval Association, Falmouth and Penryn Sea Cadets, Falmouth Police Cadets and the Air Training Corps.

"It's going to be quite an occasion," said Mr Evans. "I wanted my service held on Sunday so it would coincide with the Queen's 60th anniversary on the 6th. Other towns are quite jealous now because they didn't think of it.

"Two hundred people were originally invited, but it has grown from that."