Boos and cheers at mayor making (From This Is Local London)

News RSS Feed Send your news, pictures & videos

Public turn out for traditional High Wycombe mayor making ceremony

6:14pm Saturday 9th May 2009 in News By Oliver Evans

Outgoing Mayor Paul Lambourne is weighed out

THERE were boos and cheers in High Wycombe town centre today as councillors and public officials took part in the traditional mayor making ceremony.

Six were booed for putting on weight during the last year at the Frogmoor weighing ceremony, first held up in the 17th century to root out those dining at taxpayers’ expense.

And the town crier – who led the cheers and boos with cries of “no more” and “some more” – was himself was found to put on weight.

Most escaped the boos when taking to the seated scales.

These included outgoing Wycombe District Council mayor Councillor Paul Lambourne, authority chief executive Karen Satterford, leader Lesley Clarke and Thames Valley Police deputy Wycombe commander Chief Inspector Stuart Craik.

Yet honorary burgess Ron Gaffney and charter trustees Mohammad Yasin, Trevor Snaith, Valerie Razzaq, Arif Hussain and Joel Foley were booed for piling on the pounds.

And there were laughs as town crier Jon Taylor was found to be heavier than last year.

Earlier Councillor Julie Pritchard was sworn in as this year’s Mayor of High Wycombe, a ceremonial role. Muhammad Abdul-Karim will be her deputy.

Liverpool born Councillor Pritchard, a Conservative, told the Guildhall she was “intrigued” by the unique ceremony when she moved to the town 18 years ago.

She said: “Little did I knew that in the not too distant future I myself would be taking part in this public event.

“Far from feeling some curiosity and fear I had all those years ago at the idea of a public weighing-in, I cannot find words to express the pride I feel today of being offered the honour of being in this office.”

Daughter Alex, 22, will be her consort. Cllr Pritchard said: “She’s been my rock and my mainstay in the last year and I know her support will continue during the next.”

Cllr Lambourne said: “It has been a great honour and privilege to be able to represent the town of High Wycombe as town mayor.”

He said: “It has been a wonderful experience, an experience we will remember for many years to come.”

At the Mayor’s reception later in the day Cllr Lambourne honoured “unsung heroes” from the voluntary sector and talented young people he had met during his 255 engagements in the last year.

And he announced his Mayor’s Appeal had raised at least £17,500 for South Bucks Hospice.

Cllr Lambourne also paid tribute to council Labour leader Glyn Galbraith, who died in February, and honorary burgess David Fieldhouse, who died in March.

Cllr Pritchard announced her appeal would be split between the Thames Valley & Chiltern Air Ambulance Trust and The Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys.

This works to tackle poverty and improve education for all families, regardless of their Masonic connections, she said.

The Chilterns Shopping Centre manager Bill Pollard was made an honorary burgess at the reception. The honour is given to persons of merit and were formerly freedoms of the town.

Comments(26)

yog says...
7:53pm Sat 9 May 09

The Royal Masonic Trust for Girls & Boys???

For all families, regardless of their Masonic connections??

Not quite so clear according to their own mission statement!

MISSION STATEMENT
To continue to relieve poverty and provide an education and preparation for life for the children of the family of a Freemason and, where funds permit, for any children, as their fathers would have done had they been able so to do.

Is this appropriate when funds raised by Wycombe folk will only reach the masses once the freemasons have had their share?

Interested to know what everyone else thinks?