Town Mayor breaks all records to officially attend a double anniversary at Banbury church

On June 6 it was the 79th anniversary of D-Day but also the 90th anniversary of the laying of St Hugh’s Church foundation stone.

Spokesman Fred Riches said: “As the church was open that morning for tea, coffee and biscuits for the St Hugh’s Hub and the weekly Parkinson’s Singing Group practice, a few of us thought we’d have a mini-celebration with cake and a sing-song.

“By pure chance a local taxi-driver, while dropping off a singer, noticed the ‘Welcome’ sign and dropped in for a coffee. We explained the celebration and showed him the Foundation Stone.

"It turned out he was Fiaz Ahmed and when not doing his day job, he’s our Town Mayor. We suggested a photo opportunity and he kindly offered to dash home, get changed, grab his chain of office and return.

“He was just in time to join in a rousing chorus of Climb Every Mountain and Happy Birthday St Hugh’s, before giving a short speech and joining us for a slice of cake and coffee,” said Mr Riches.

Mr Ahmed said: “I think I’ve probably broken the all-time record today for the time between the request and appearance of a Banbury Town Mayor at an engagement. Less than 40 minutes.”

The main celebrations of St Hugh’s 90th Anniversary will be in October. The building was completed and the Dedication Service held on October 10, 1933.