Worcester bids farewell to honorary freeman Mike - The Worcester Observer

Worcester bids farewell to honorary freeman Mike

Worcester Editorial 19th May, 2017   0

WORCESTER’s historic Cathedral provided the backdrop as family, friends and dignitaries paid their respects to freeman of the city Mike Layland.

An estimated 250 mourners gathered to say goodbye to the popular former city councillor, twice Mayor of Worcester and the last ever High Sheriff of the city.

Politicians including Worcester City Council leader Coun Adrian Gregson, deputy leader Coun Marc Bayliss and Worcester’s Conservative candidate for the General Election Robin Walker were among those to attend the service.

Mr Layland passed away in April at the age of 81 after a life serving the people of Worcester including 44 years as a councillor.




Warm spring sunshine broke through the clouds as Mr Layland’s coffin arrived to be met by the Dean of Worcester, the Very Reverend Peter Atkinson.

After being carried into the cathedral through a guard of honour provided by the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regimental Association to the sounds of Elgar’s Nimrod from Enigma Variatons, Rev Atkinson received the standards of the much-loved regiment before conducting the service.


“He was a servant of this city, a twice Mayor of this city and towards the end of his service he was made a freeman of this city,” Rev Atkinson said.

As well as his political achievements, Rev Atkinson also spoke of the street in Diglis, Layland Walk named after Mr Layland and sited yards from where the 81-year-old was born.

“He set about making sure the city of his birth and his upbringing, the city of his choice, was as good as he could help to make it,” he added.

Poignant readings from the bible and of the poem ‘The Broken Chain’ by Ron Tranmer were heard before The Last Post was sounded ahead of the Commendation.

Family members then accompanied the coffin for a private cremation before joining guests at the Guildhall for further tributes including speeches from Coun Gregson and Coun Bayliss.

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