Portsmouth100: Happy Birthday - civic ceremony celebrates momentous day that city status was granted
Portsmouth celebrates 100 years since being granted city status
Pomp and ceremony ensured that Portsmouth has been able to celebrate its 100th anniversary of becoming a city in style.
Figureheads from all areas of the city come together to celebrate the landmark anniversary at the Portsmouth100 Civic Ceremony at Portsmouth Guildhall today (Tuesday, April 21). The celebratory atmosphere was imbued by the HM Royal Marine Band’s buglers who heralded the arrival of the Lord Mayor of Portsmouth Gerald Vernon-Jackson.
It comes as one hundred years ago today Portsmouth was granted city status, charting a course for it to become the multicultural modern hub of business, tourism and life that we know today.
Much has happened since that day on April 21, 1926, with the city playing a vital role in World War II and the D-Day landings, while cementing its status as the home of the Royal Navy and becoming a tourist hotspot with destinations such as the Historic Dockyard and Spinnaker Tower leading the way.
In his opening statement the Lord Mayor set the tone as current councillors and representatives of the cornerstones of the city, the university, the Royal Navy, and the football club touched on the unique character of the city and its residents.
The Lord Mayor said: “We come together to mark a truly remarkable moment in our city’s story. This milestone brings with it the opportunity to recognise the strength, character and resilience of the people who call this place home. Our proud maritime heritage and the enduring spirit of this island city.
“100 years later on this same date, we gather as a community to celebrate everything Portsmouth has become, a vibrant, diverse, and forward looking city that still honours and cherishes its past.
“Let us not only celebrate our past but the shared future we are building together. A future shaped by the same spirit of community and determination that has carried Portsmouth through triumphs challenges and transformations over the past century.”
Joining the Lord Mayor in speaking at the ceremony was Captain Lee McLocklan from Portsmouth Naval Base, who touched on the city as being “shaped by its relationship with the sea and services to the nation” with the “strength of Portsmouth and the strength of the Royal Navy remains inseparable”.
He added: “Portsmouth is and always will be the home of the Royal Navy.”
University of Portsmouth Vice-Chancellor Graham Galbraith CBE echoed the enduring character of the city’s people. While looking to the future, he said: “The university stands ready to play part in shaping a vibrant, inclusive and sustainable future for Portsmouth.”
One defining feature of the city celebrated at the ceremony was its relationship with its football team. Portsmouth FC’s Chief Executive Andrew Cullen provided a video message stating how proud the club were to represent the city and its people. He highlighted how the club does its utmost to mirror its supporters and their loyalty, honesty, never say die attitude and passion.
While the ceremony heard from Portsmouth’s twin and sister cities from across the world, one representative travelled to be there in person. The Mayor of Maizunu in Japan, Akitsu Kamada, flew for 19 hours to honour the two cities friendship and congratulate Portsmouth on its centenary.
A day of celebration ended with Poet Laureate, Sam Cox, reading a poem she created to mark the city’s anniversary.
While the civic ceremony marked the actual date of the status being granted, celebrations have been underway since January with a year packed full of Portsmouth100 events.
The city has already come out in force for My Dog Sighs Portsmouth100 Treasure Hunt on Easter weekend while a special centenary service was held at Portsmouth Cathedral on Sunday, March 8.
There is still much more to come throughout the year, giving everyone the chance to enjoy the landmark anniversary, That includes the showpiece Pride of Portsmouth Lion Trail Hunt which will see creatively coloured lions placed around the city to form a free art trail from July 13 to September 13.