Malta Day UK celebrated in London

On 14 September 2013, Malta Day UK was once again celebrated in London. This event is a leading feature in the calendar of Maltese communities and individuals in the UK and is held around the feast of Our Lady of Victory. Hundreds of Maltese, and their families and friends, travel from all over the UK to attend the day’s varied events. The programme is annually put together by the Malta Day UK Organising Committee under the auspices of the Malta High Commission and with the support of the various Maltese sponsors. The recently appointed High Commissioner of Malta, Mr Norman Hamilton, officially opened a Maltese Fair held in the morning at Westminster Cathedral Hall - where a number of stalls were selling Maltese food and beverages. St Sebastian Wokingham Brass Band entertained the crowds which packed Westminster Cathedral Hall. The Very Reverend Monsignor Anton Gouder, Pro-Vicar of the Archbishop of Malta, was the principal concelebrant at Holy Mass at Westminster Cathedral in the afternoon, to which hundreds congregated. St Joseph’s Choir of Kalkara, directed by Mro Josanne Zammit performed psalms and hymns during this service. The Right Worshipful The Lord Mayor of Westminster Councillor Sarah Richardson, the Parliamentary Secretary for Justice Hon. Owen Bonnici, the Attorney General Dr Peter Grech, members of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, members of the clergy, Maltese in the UK and Friends of Malta amongst the congregation. The Marian anthem was played by the Saint Sebastian Wokingham Brass Band and a fireworks salute was given to the Statue of ‘Il-Bambina’ as it exited the Cathedral to commence a procession through the streets of Westminster. As the procession reached the Sacred Heart Chapel of Ease on Westferry Road, there was a concluding ceremony where the Maltese and UK national anthems were played. The day’s events came to a close with a Gala Dinner at the Millennium Hotel in Mayfair.