Young singing star meets Mayor of Dudley after anthem performance

A talented local singer has met the Mayor of Dudley after inspiring his decision to introduce the regular playing of the national anthem before council meetings.

Ocean Hemmings, 16, sang a stirring rendition of God Save the King prior to the annual full council meeting on 15 May, the first time the anthem had been performed live in the council chamber.

The playing of the national anthem will now become a custom before council meetings, sung live where possible.

It is part of moves to bring back traditions at the council led by the Mayor during his year in office, including a reading of the Lord’s Prayer by Dudley’s first citizen before meetings begin.

Councillor Pete Lee welcomed Ocean and her mum Alison for a cup of tea in the Mayor’s parlour at the Council House, where they chatted about her passion for music and performance.

Councillor Pete Lee, the Mayor of Dudley, said: "One of the first things I wanted to do as Mayor was to introduce the playing of the national anthem before our council meetings.

"It’s a wonderful tradition and reminds us all of the country and people we’re proud to serve as elected members.

"Ocean’s performance was fantastic and I’m very happy she’s agreed to sing for us again. We have some incredibly talented young people in our borough and it’s great to be able to give them a chance to shine."

It was the latest highlight of a promising career for the Stourbridge singer, who has been a member of Dudley Performing Arts since she was just seven years old.

Her biggest achievement so far is singing solo at Birmingham Symphony Hall. In her spare time, she also enjoys playing the piano.

Ocean said: "Singing in the council chamber was so exciting! It was a lot more formal than my usual performances, so it was great to do something different.

"I’m very grateful to have been invited to perform and it was really nice to meet the Mayor and Mayoress."

Ocean will continue to pursue her passion for singing in September, when she begins studying Music at the BOA Creative, Digital & Performing Arts Academy in Birmingham.

She has been invited to return to future council meetings to perform the anthem, working around her studies.