On the blustery morning of Monday, April 13, in the garden of Winchelsea Court Hall the mayoralty of Winchelsea passed from John Rodley to David Page. Richard Feast leaned out of his gable window next door to make sure there was a photo to record the event.
The mayor making has taken place each Easter Monday since time out of mind and traditionally it has taken place in the Upper Court Hall. The plan was that, from 2020, the bulk of the ceremony should be transferred to Winchelsea church so that as many people as wanted to attend could do so. Then came coronavirus and things turned out differently.
Nonetheless, David was able to take the oath as Mayor of Winchelsea for the coming year, and as Speaker of the Cinque Ports for the remaining weeks of Winchelsea’s tenure until that office passes to Rye in late May.
Taking on the role, David said, “One thing I very much regret that it hasn’t been possible publicly to thank my predecessor John Rodley for his achievement as mayor and speaker, and to thank Deborah for the support she has given him, and I know that, as soon as we can, the town will want to remedy that omission.
“In the meantime, the main task for all of us is to keep an eye out for our neighbours, and to make sure that the teams at Winchelsea Farm Kitchen, The New Inn and The Lodge at Winchelsea know how grateful we are to all of them for going out of their way to make sure that everybody has the food and medicines that they need.”
Two new honorary freemen were named at the mayoring: Neil Clephane-Cameron, the town chamberlain, in recognition of the service he has given over the past twenty-five years; and Councillor Peter Turner, Chair of Icklesham Parish Council who has done so much over a long period to help the corporation carry out its responsibilities.
Four new freemen will join the corporation this year: Stephen King, Rosemarie Roberts, Jo Turner and Deborah Upton. They will take their place at corporation meetings alongside the town jurats: Tony Moore, Mike Melvin, John Spencer, John Rodley, Robert Holland, David Merrifield, Carol Scoines, Berni Scott and Peter Cosstick. David Merrifield becomes deputy mayor.
Winchelsea Corporation has no local government responsibilities or fund raising powers of its own. The mayor and jurats run the museum, have custody of the medieval gates and Court Hall and represent the ancient town in the affairs of the Cinque Ports Confederation. There’s more information here: https://www.winchelsea.com/corporation/
Source: Winchelsea Corporation
Image Credits: Richard Feast .