Nork Residents' Association

The Conservative Group consisting of 39 of the 51 Councillors in Reigate and Banstead Borough Council asked Brian Stead to be the next Mayor. The first time a Residents’ Association Councillor had been offered the post. This was a definite honour and a privilege that Brian could not refuse.

What is a Mayor?
There are two types of Mayor. In London and some other major cities, the Mayor is elected by the public and their Mayor, such as Boris Johnson, is the overall boss. Elsewhere, the Mayor has no power but is a representative of the Council and is responsible, in a non-political way, for furthering the interests of the Borough whenever and wherever an appropriate occasion arises. In that role the Mayor is the first citizen of the Borough. This means that only Her Majesty the Queen, members of the Royal Family and the Lord Lieutenant take precedence over the Mayor at events in the Borough. Quite an honour!

The Mayor attends many different types of functions throughout the Borough, around 250 in total, such as formal dinners, official openings of events or new facilities, talking to clubs and societies and visiting schools. He acts as host to distinguished visitors to the Borough, including royalty, national representatives of various organizations and foreign visitors, especially those from our twin towns, Brunoy, on the outskirts of Paris, and Eschweiler in Germany close to Aachen.

The first Mayor of Reigate was Thomas Dann in 1863. He was a prime mover to join Reigate with Redhill into a unified scheme of local government. The Borough of Reigate was formed with Redhill from the old Manor of Reigate. The 49th Mayor, Ernest Crowe became the 53rd and the first Mayor of the new Reigate and Banstead Council in 1974.

On formal occasions, such as the annual meeting of the Council, Remembrance Day, Civic Sunday and Freedom of the Borough ceremonies, the Mayoral robes are worn. On these occasions, the chain of office and badge are also worn with the Mayoral red robes, which are edged with synthetic fur. The chain and badge can also be worn on their own for other important engagements in the Borough. When the robes are worn the Macebearer is in attendance. The badge is supported on a green ribbon. Up to now the Mayor’s badge has been supported by a blue or red ribbon signifying the political party of the Mayor.

The Council’s mace
The Council’s mace is 48 inches long and weighs 18lbs.and was presented by Alderman Barnes in 1900. The use of ceremonial maces has its precedence in the use of the mace as a weapon of war. Today’s ceremonial maces are a highly ornamental descendant of the prehistoric club or bludgeon. In the course of time, the mace became a symbol of authority and is carried upside down.

The Mayor is supported by a Chaplain who will be the new Vicar of St Paul’s, Warren Road, the Reverend Jane Cresswell. She will be attending civic functions, for example Remembrance Day or any occasions when the Mayor is robed. She will also say prayers before Council meetings and Grace at Civic Dinners.

The Mayor's term began with an enrobing ceremony on 19th May with engagements starting the next day. If not before, Brian hopes to see you all on 17th July at Music in Nork Park where he hopes you will also be able to meet Jane.