PLYMOUTH |
The Encyclopaedia of Plymouth History |
||
 |
|||
|
~ The King, on the recommendation of the Home Secretary, has been graciously pleased to command that in commemoration of His Majesty's Silver Jubilee, the Chief Magistrate, now and for the time being, of the City of Plymouth, shall bear the style and title Lord Mayor. ~ This was the announcement made on May 6th 1935, the date of King George V's Silver Jubilee. It took effect immediately. On May 9th, in a crowded Guildhall Square, the then Mayor of Plymouth, Alderman J E Pillar, listened while the Town Clerk, Mr R J Fittall, read out the proclamation that had been received from London that morning, and the first Lord Mayor of Plymouth accompanied by his Deputy, Lieutenant-Commander E W Rogers, and their wives then proceeded into the Council Chamber for a special Council meeting. Credit for achieving this status was due to Mr Leslie Hore-Belisha, Member of Parliament and Minister of Transport, and the Town Clerk, Mr R J Fittall, with the support of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, in his capacity as Lord High Steward of Plymouth. The Last Lord Mayor? The Lord Mayor of Plymouth has been a traditionally non-political role representing the people of the City at all manner of events irrespective of politics, race, or religion and on both a national or a local level. For decades the Lord Mayor's Fund has raised money for charities at Christmas time. In an interview with the Political Reporter of The Herald, published on Thursday November 24th 2011, the Lord Mayor of Plymouth, Councillor Peter Brookshaw, drew attention to the diminishing role of the Lord Mayor in modern Plymouth. He was declined entry to the America's Cup village when it visited the City during the summer of 2011, and he was no longer permitted to wear the Lord Mayor's ancient and official regalia, be driven to events or be escorted by the mace bearer. [1] Could the Lord Mayor of Plymouth become the latest victim of Vanishing Plymouth. Sources:
|
|||