Ross-on-Wye Town Council Civic Service was held on Sunday, 18th September at St. Mary's Parish Church. The Town Councillors made their 'Promises' during the service as follows:

Rector: 'Mr. Mayor, you have been raised to this office in order to guide and steer the Town Council of Ross-on-Wye, to represent the town to other people and places, to serve the people of Ross and do all in your power to ensure that we live in peace and security.
Do you promise to carry out your duties to the best of your ability to the good of all and to the honour of God.'

Mayor: 'I do. I commit myself to being a servant of the people of Ross in the name of Christ.'

Rector: 'Councillors, you have been elected to office, not for your own satisfaction or profit but to care for this town and people. Will you govern wisely, administer the finances with care and do nothing that will harm Ross or its people? Will you work together, consult each other and carry out your duties with one thought in mind; to do good to those whom you are elected to serve?'

Councillors: 'We will.
We pray that God will help us to fulfil our duties following the example of Christ in a spirit of fellowship and mutual care.'

Rector: 'As we pray for the council of this town we also commit ourselves to live together in peace, to care for our neighbours, to cherish our town, to support those who care for the poor and ill, to remember those whose task it is to keep the peace and to ensure that the needs of all are met.
Let us pledge ourselves to the service of God and this community of Ross-on-Wye.'

All: 'Lord God our father, we offer ourselves to you, praying that your strength and grace will so steer our lives that our town may be blessed with peace and prosperity and be a place of welcome for all visitors. Guide us by your spirit, give us wisdom, make us compassionate, and keep us faithful and loving in all things, now and always, in the name of Christ. Amen.'

During the service, a new mayoral chain was dedicated and presented to Mayor, Gordon Lucas. The original chain was unable to accommodate any more names of mayors and new links for the chain were no longer available, so it was decided that a new chain should be purchased.

Pictured below are Ross Town Council in the Corn Exchange Chambers and visiting mayors. The new mayoral chain and presentation are also pictured.

More photographs of this event are available in the Wyenot News photograph gallery.

Ross Rugby Club followed their 17 - 0 league win over Tredworth last Saturday by visiting the Gordon League in Gloucester for a friendly fixture against their 2nd XV. Many people gave Ross little chance against opposition with a first team playing four legs higher.

The game started well for the Gloucester, with their well drilled forwards driving Ross back into their own half. Staunch defence kept them out with Alistair Rees & Hugh Bellamy making try saving tackles.

With conditions fit for running rugby, Ross found that the skills of three quarters were going to get the upper hand. The speed of the Ross back row consisting of Taylor, Oats & Hanks was the telling factor in securing good bail for Simon Gwynne to release Andy Hunt at flyhalf, who was playing his best ever game in a Ross shirt.

The ever reliable Chris Gage was first to score, after receiving a pass from Bellamy, who made a break from his own half. The second try was scored by Dan Weston, who sped over to the corner after a Gage break. No. 8, Hanks then broke away from a maul to score close to the post. Half time 19-0.

The second half saw Ross now growing in confidence and new winger South African, Wessell Viljoen scampered over, scoring his first try for his new club. Dan Weston then scored his second by taking an inside pass from Hunt to beat three players and score out wide. Andy Hunt then scored the try of the game. Clements threw well to Hanks in the lineout and a quick ball was sped out to Hunt, who darted back inside and side stepped four players before rounding the fullback to score by the post. With the flyhalf going over to complete his brace. The final whistle went to leave Ross with a 45 - 0 victory.

The discipline of the forwards and speed of the backs were the main reason for this outstanding victory.

Martyn Pocknell.

Last week I published two archive photos of soldiers by Ross Market house not knowing anything about them. James Rourke has since written in saying,
'When I lived in Ross, the army used to parade through town, ending up by the church where their equipment was put on display and local youth were encouraged to join up. Perhaps this was one such event.'

Thank you for that information, James! If you missed the photos, they are on this page of last week's news.