The dos and don'ts of being Mayor

It is no straight forward matter to be Mayor - there is no actual training to prepare you for the position, so what do you do when suddenly confronted by a host of official duties, ceremonies and protocol?

Melanie Phillips found herself in just such a position when she became Pembroke's 633rd Mayor and has now written 'The New Mayor's Manual: handy information, tips, and guidance for new Mayors.'

"It all started with Jane Phillips, Deputy Mayor, of Pembroke Dock," Mel told me.

"I met her at the Scouts' annual general meeting in Haverfordwest; it was her first assignment and she had been sent there all by herself. She said to me: "I don't know whether to wear a chain or not - there is no written guide on being a Mayor." And she was right. If it hadn't been for advice from Clr. Trevor Hallet, Mayor of Tenby, and former Mayors of Pembroke, Clr. Aidan Brinn and Clr. Clive Collins, I just wouldn't have had a clue what to do. So it was about time somebody wrote a guide."

Robes

Mayors cut a colourful sight and bring a sense of occasion to civic events, but there is definite etiquette surrounding the wearing of robes. To robe or not to robe, that is a question any new Mayor needs to know the answer to.

Explained Mel: "The robe should only be worn on civic occasions such as Mayor Making, Remembrance Sunday, Pembroke Fair and Portfield Fair and the beating of the bounds. But not all Mayors have robes - Milford, Neyland, and Fishguard, are unrobed towns. However, I have to ask the unrobed Mayors if I can wear my robe in their towns. When I went to the Mayor of Milford's Mayor Making, the town clerk said to me 'I hope you don't mind me saying - you are supposed to ask permission from the Mayor to wear those robes.' In your own town, you can theoretically wear at your own discretion.

"The robe is red to stand out from the crowd and trimmed with fur. I was recently asked 'I hope that isn't real fur!' I can assure you that every mayoral robe has synthetic fur and it is made of really thick wool; if it gets wet is smells like an old sheep."

Protocol

"When you go into church in some places, as in Haverfordwest, pews are marked reserved for robed Mayors and sitting behind, like lesser beings, are the unrobed mayors. Bit snobbish I think. "

"So there's a pecking order?" I asked.

"Yes," Mel replied. "I found that out when I went to Tenby's Mayor Making which was amazing - full of tradition. The town clerk, wearing green velvet robes, knocks on the parlour door three times like Black Rod. Then he calls out first for Tenby (taking priority as the host), then Pembroke which comes first in the pecking order as it's the oldest town in Pembrokeshire and one of the oldest in Wales. Next comes Haverfordwest, continuing down the line in order of seniority with the youngest towns, Neyland, Milford and Pembroke Dock at the bottom."

(Just to add an historical note here - In medieval times, Pembroke was the county town giving its name to Pembrokeshire. It was thanks to Henry VIII and his Acts of Union in 1536, which united Wales with England, that Pembroke was replaced by Haverfordwest as its administrative centre. So good to know we are still first in some things!)

Regalia

"Learning about regalia is a must," continued Mel, "and I'll tell you why. Adults won't question you, but kids will - when I went to the diamond jubilee in the castle, straight away they wanted to know - how much is the chain worth? Is it solid gold? Children ask endless questions. The chain is the biggest and actually the oldest in Pembrokeshire, possibly one of oldest in Wales. It is made of gilt, but the most expensive part is the small portrait of Queen Victoria which is set in gold. This was given by the Victorian WI on the occasion of the Queen Victoria's golden jubilee. It is a double chain bearing shields of solid silver, each engraved with past Mayor's names. There are so many names that they are engraved on the backs as well. It is very impressive."

To complete the ceremonial dress, besides the robes and chain, the Mayor wears a frilly jabot, which was originally simply a bib to catch the bits of food and save the mayoral robe. White gloves are worn and these were originally worn in order that common people did not touch the mayor and to keep hands free from their germs. Each part of the dress has its story and to complete the picture there is the hat which Mel found particularly interesting.

"Lady Mayors wear the tricorn, whereas men wear the bicorn. The tricorn came first and is French for three horns; its purpose was to direct the rain down your back keeping it off the face so that you could see properly whilst firing a gun. Later came the bicorn, meaning two horns, and it was a better idea - you could turn it around to the side and see exactly what you are doing. The bicorn is also called the cocked hat or the fore and aft."

Gatherings of the Mayors

All Mayors are expected to go to each other's Mayor Makings and there are other important county wide events; Haverfordwest's 'Beating of the Bounds' being one of the most memorable for Mel.

"Robes are worn to this and I have to say I was fascinated by it. We all congregated on the quay at the Bristol Trader to the accompaniment of sea shanties, then boarded small boats in a flotilla with Haverfordwest's Mayor in leading the way along with the town crier, sword bearer and sergeant at arms. What a colourful sight they made! We slowly wound our way from the quay to Llangwm until we reached the boundary stone. The town crier then shouted 'are you satisfied with your boundaries your worship' and he replied 'that I am'. Then we returned to the quay where the Mayor was presented with traditional brawn and apples. What a great night that was - but lady Mayors be sure to wear sensible shoes!

Pembroke Events

I was also expected to wear a robe to the river rally which is a similar event really, asserting the right of passage up the Pembroke River. It is organised by the West Wales Maritime Heritage Society with the support of Pembroke Town Council. I really enjoyed that - I was in Mr. Allen Mirehouse's launch which led the way up the Pembroke River with a flotilla of small boats behind. It was a strange and wonderful sight to see that ugly barrage open up to let us through.

October is the month of fairs. Mayors are invited to Neath Fair, Portfield Fair and Pembroke's Michaelmas Fair which has to be one of the highlights of the year. Robes are worn and it is opened with great ceremony. I felt like a Queen that night - wherever I went I was followed by Abie Danter, chairman of the Showman's Guild, and the two mace bearers, whose traditional role was to protect the Mayor.

To conclude...

I asked Mel what she felt about being Mayor.

"There have been a few downs, as well as ups, but on the whole I am glad I did it. Even though the Mayor no longer wields political power, people don't realise how hard it is. There is a charity to take care of, all sorts of things to arrange, and literally from May to Christmas Day not a day passed without something happening. This year too with the Olympics and diamond jubilee, there was so much going on and many events to attend."

Thank you Mr. Mayor Madam - that is I am informed the correct address for a lady Mayor, although Madam Mayor would seem to be more widely used.

All this and more is contained in Mel's guide, sub titled 'An Idiot's Guide to Mayoral Etiquette'. It is simply arranged in five bite-sized chapters in the format of a DVD and is being sold to raise funds for the lifeboat, the Mayor's chosen charity, at £5

Contact

If you have any stories, photographs or feedback for this column, please contact me, Linda Asman, on 01646 622428, email [email protected]">[email protected] and visit our website http://www.pembrokeandmonkonhistory.org.uk">www.pembrokeandmonkonhistory.org.uk

Next

events

Two fundraising events for Monkton Priory Church in Monkton Church Hall this weekend: Tonight (Friday, March 1), 7.30 pm, Dewi Sant evening to celebrate St. David's Day. Supper of Welsh fare (bring a bottle if you wish) and there will be entertainment as well. Tickets £3.50

Followed by tomorrow (Saturday, March 2), 10.30 am, local history coffee morning with exhibition and film show. Free admission.

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