New mayor steps into clog-iron role

CHEERS . . . the new Mayor of Austerlands Gerry De Maine enjoys a pint in his clog-iron chain

A LORRY driver will haul a 60-year-old tradition back into the spotlight on Sunday.

Springhead’s Gerry De Maine will be appointed as the new Mayor of Austerlands during a special ceremony at the Red Lion.

With a clog-iron as a chain of office he will become the civic head of Oldham’s smallest municipality.

The installation will take place at around 9pm when the retiring mayor, former demolition and building contractor Tommy O’Brien (77) will pass on the ceremonial chain.

Previous Austerlands mayors will also be in attendance, wearing the miniature clog-irons presented to them on their retirement.

Gerry (59) is a HGV driver with TK Maxx and has lived in the area for many years. His family hail from Woodbrook and his uncle, Nathan De Maine, was licensee of the Spinners Arms from 1954 until 1966.

Mr De Maine also has an interesting ancestory that dates back to 1066 and the time of William the Conqueror, with his surname being of French origin.

It’s said he had an ancestor who defended Skipton Castle in the 14th or 15th century and that there is a plaque on the castle wall to commemorate this.

Organiser David Needham said: “Gerry will be the 11th mayor since the tradition was re-introduced in 1998 after the discovery of the clog-iron behind a beer barrel in the pub’s cellar.”

The investiture always takes place shortly before the annual Whit Friday band contests when the new mayor will be asked to lead the first band on to Dawson’s Field.