FALMOUTH'S mace bearer for past 49 years has made a welcome return to civic duties after becoming so ill with Covid it was touch and go that he would make it.

Terry Pond has been very ill and spent the last five months in hospital, but last Sunday for Sea Sunday he was back where he belongs in full regalia, all be it in wheelchair. Terry first became the town mace bearer in 1973!

Falmouth Packet:

Terry Pond in the wheelchair takes part in last week's Sea Sunday parade with his son and fellow mace bearer Sean

Falmouth Town Council posted pictures of Terry's return saying: "Sea Sunday 19/9/21 first civic parade in Falmouth in 22 months! So pleased that macebearer Terry Pond in his 49th year of duty was able to join us."

Falmouth mayor Steve Eva echoed those sentiments saying: "Star of the day was the return of Terry Pond who has been a town mace-bearer for 49 years and has been very ill with Covid and spent nearly five months in hospital. Terry it was an absolute pleasure to have you back where you belong and we will have you’re robes waiting for you for Remembrance Day."

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Sea Sunday returned after last years was cancelled due to Covid and Cllr Eva got to wear the mayor's robes for the first time in 22 months.

"The parade was led by the Pendennis Brass Band and they were fantastic," said Cllr Eva. "Sea Sunday is important to Falmouth and allows us to pay our respects to those who served at sea in the Royal Navy and of course the Merchant Navy the service was a joint effort of my Chaplin Bill Stuart White, Bishop Phillip plus the Navy Chaplin

"A big thank you to shipmate Ian Stobie who was in charge of putting the day together with the town council .