Published Wednesday 8 July 2026 at 13:55
The annual Civic Sunday ceremony will take place this Sunday 12 July at Blackburn Cathedral.
This is the dedication service that takes place every year as a new Mayor comes into office. Although Councillor Mahfooz Hussain became Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen in May, Civic Sunday had to be postponed due to him needing urgent hospital treatment.
Led by the Mayor, accompanied by the Mayoress, his wife Hamida Begum, and son and Consort, Dr Adil Hussain, the Civic Sunday procession will leave the Town Hall at 10.30am. Heading along King Street the procession will arrive at the Cathedral where the service will begin at 11am.
The dedication ceremony will be attended by Blackburn with Darwen’s Chief Executive, Leader and Councillors, alongside the Deputy Lieutenant, Faith Leaders, Cadets and many other dignitaries, as well as the Mayor’s family and friends. Blackburn with Darwen Band will also form part of the procession.
Following the service, the procession will head back to the Town Hall for approximately 12.15pm where the Mayor will pause at the platform outside to give a speech.
Councillor Mahfooz Hussain, Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen, said:
I am delighted I will be able to attend the annual Civic Ceremony. It is an incredible honour to be the Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen and I was very disappointed to not have been able to attend mayor making in person at Blackburn Town Hall in May, so this ceremony will feel even more special.
I have been able to attend some events since officially being made Mayor and I am looking forward to representing the borough at many more once I am fully back on my feet.
The Mayor will be raising money throughout the year for his two chosen charities: Nightsafe, who support local young people in need and Derian House Hospice who provide a lifeline for many families from Blackburn with Darwen.
Read more about the Mayor and how as a business, group or community organisation you can invite the Mayor to events or work with him to raise money for his chosen charities in the article Mahfooz Hussain becomes Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen.