Last updated 15:51, Wednesday, 23 April 2008

LAST month’s meeting of the Whitehaven Local History Group was held on March 17 at URC Hall, Market Place, Whitehaven.

Club president, Anne Dick, introduced two speakers, the, past mayor, Willis B Metherell, the 35th Mayor, and Dorothy Anne Faichney the 36th and present Mayor of Copeland Borough Council.

Mrs Metherell described the procedures involved in the election of mayors. She explained how she was nominated and the reasons why one would be put forward for this position i.e. hard work on behalf of the community.

Upon being robed she was then presented to the full Council.

She read out to our group a document “The powers of a Mayor,” which, in part, was quite amusing.

While Mrs Metherell was Mayor and Mrs Faichney was deputy mayor, they both attended a training course in Manchester to learn about the various aspects involved in being a Mayor, such as etiquette, how to address people etc.

Mrs Faichney had begun as a councillor in 1999. She is someone who has always wanted to help people and has fitted into the role of Mayor admirably.

She talked about the various duties and visits that she has made during her term; attending the Falklands Memorial Service, visiting Haverigg Prison, meeting the Japanese and Chinese, girl and boy scouts from far afield, planting trees, attending the Queen’s Garden Party and much more.

She was very proud to talk about Copeland’s twinning with the Bulgarians and meeting their Mayor.

They explained that being Mayor was a once in a lifetime experience, a great honour. Mayor Anne explained that she felt great to wake up in a morning, looking forward to learning something new each day and meeting people and that every day was a gift.

She asked whether any members of our group would be interested in visiting the Mayor’s Parlour for a cup of tea and to look at the Chain and Mace and also the Bainbridge Room where the full Council meet. If so a date would try to be fixed before the next Mayor Making in May.

She passed around a booklet that explained and illustrated the history of the Mace, Chain and various badges and allowed members to look at the splendid chain of office she was wearing.

Committee member Eva Elliot gave the vote of thanks for what she described as a most interesting and informative talk by both of the guest speakers.