The annual Civic Service of South Kesteven District Council took place on Sunday at St Wulfram’s Church in Grantham.

The Council Chairman, Cllr Ian Selby, was also celebrating a personal milestone – 30 years of public service as a district councillor.

He welcomed elected members from SKDC and neighbouring local authorities to the service led by Fr Stuart Cradduck, the Rector of Grantham.

Cllr Selby gave a reading and the hymns included Jerusalem and I Vow to Thee, My Country.

He said afterwards: “I am delighted to celebrate 30 years as a District Councillor and to mark the occasion during my Chairman’s Civic Service held in St Wulfram’s Church in Grantham.

“My sincere thanks to everyone who attended the service and to SKDC and also Father Stuart and his amazing choir and organist and all is staff, and to my parents John and Anita.

“There are numerous highlights in the past 30 years, and meeting such fabulous people along the way has been very special to me.

“I’d like to express sincere thanks to everyone that has helped me along the way in order to help the residents that I’ve represented. Thank you to everyone for your genuine kind friendship.

“Whilst I’m a Councillor I aim to keep doing what I’ve always done, and that’s putting the people first and foremost.”