IT WAS a United Nations, just in miniature. Earlier this month, 26 new citizens were welcomed as residents of Wokingham borough.
The ceremony took place in Wokingham Town Hall, and sees people who have been accepted as British citizens take an oath of allegiance and pledge of loyalty, to complete their application.
At the event, held on Wednesday, December 14, the 26 were presented with certificates by the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire, Brigadier Stephen Matthews, and a gift of a passport cover from Wokingham Borough Mayor Cllr Caroline Smith.
This is the seventh citizenship ceremony Cllr Smith has attended since becoming borough mayor. In total, she has welcomed 176 new British citizens.
“Wokingham Borough is made up of thriving diverse communities and many people, including our new British Citizens, choose to live here as it’s such a great place to live, work and bring up a family due to our fantastic local schools, a healthy population and great employment opportunities,” she said.
“Obtaining a British citizenship is a significant and memorable occasion, and I am delighted to meet people from all walks of life and welcome them officially as British citizens to our borough.”
Since September, the new citizens have come from: Sri Lanka, Italy, India, Slovakia, Netherlands, South Africa, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Pakistan, Zimbabwe, Thailand, Denmark, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Kenya, Serbia, Egypt, Taiwan, Gambia, Hungary, Spain, China, Turkey, Venezuela, Iran, Latvia, Bolivia, Romania, France, Poland, Ukraine, Nepal, Bulgaria, and Australia.
