The Speaker of Hackney, Cllr Faizullah Khan, joined church clergy in leading residents on the Palm Sunday Ecumenical march through the borough yesterday (16 March).

Around 150 local people joined the walk from St John at Hackney Church, Lower Clapton Road, to the Upper Clapton United Reformed Church, Upper Clapton Road, where a service was held.

Prayers were held along the route, stopping at shops on the Lower Clapton Road, at Clapton Pond and B6 College.

The Speaker was the first dignitary to give a speech to the church service congregation and encouraged everyone to become ambassadors of peace in Hackney.

He said: “I was honoured to be invited to lead the Palm Sunday Ecumenical march through Hackney and speak at the service. As a borough, we have achieved peace and harmony through tolerance and understanding, and we can all help to develop and expand this.”

Revd John Macaulay, minister of Upper Clapton United Reformed Church, and organiser of the march and service, said: “This was about all denominations, colours and ages coming together to work in partnership and promote peace for our communities. It was a great celebration of positivity, diversity and multi-culturalism – a true celebration of Hackney.”

The Palm Sunday Ecumenical march and service were organised by the borough deans of Hackney, who work in partnership with the Council for the welfare of the borough.