Each year, the Mayor of Cambridge selects a small number of local charities to champion during their tenure. For 2026/27, we were honoured to become a mayoral charity under the current Mayor, Councillor Maria Cleminson.
This honour includes an invitation to the Chevin Sermon, a civic service held twice yearly in observance of the charitable wishes of Richard Chevin. In his will dated 20 June 1559, Chevin bequeathed a house in the parish of St. Clement to the Corporation, with the condition that £6 per annum from its income be distributed to the town's poorest residents. He further directed that the Mayor appoint a person to preach a sermon twice yearly – on the Sunday before Candlemas and the Sunday before Michaelmas Day – one event in the Great St Mary’s, the other usually the church of the parish where the Mayor resides.
Mayor of Cambridge, Cllr Maria Cleminson with representatives from her 2026/2027 mayoral charities. L to R: Deptuy Mayor Amana Taylor, trustees from Abbey People, Mayor Maria Cleminson, Vincent Mak (CMT Chair of Trustees), and Joanne Hamilton (CMT Communties and Visitor Engagment Officer).
The 2026 Michaelmas Chevin Sermon was preached by the Mayor's Chaplain, Reverend Nell Whiscombe at Great St MAry’s church. Vincent Mak, Chair of the Trustees, and Joanne Hamilton, Communities and Visitor Engagement Officer, attended on behalf of the Museum, alongside representatives from the other 2026/27 mayoral charities: Abbey People and Museum of Cambridge.
The Mayor's party also included Deputy Mayor Cllr Amanda Taylor, His Majesty's Deputy Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire Mr Jonathan Spence, The High Sheriff of Cambridgeshire Mr Francis Burkitt DL, The Chair of Cambridgeshire County Council Mr Peter McDonald, and Bailiffs, Councillors and Honorary Councillors of Cambridge City Council.
We are deeply honoured to have been selected as a mayoral charity for 2026/27. This recognition reflects the Mayor’s commitment to serving the Cambridge community and sharing the history and heritage of Cambridge with audiences of all ages. We are grateful to Cllr Maria Cleminson for championing our work during her time as Mayor, and for the opportunity to participate in this historic and meaningful tradition. Her support underscores the importance of preserving and celebrating our shared heritage.