Historic roots of new mayor Gerry

Retiring mayor Tommy O’Brien (left), and protocol consultant Roger Fielding (right) pass on the ceremonial chain of office to Gerry De Maine

ORGANISERS ensured the investiture of the new Mayor of Austerlands was a grand occasion after discovering his historical roots.

Springhead’s Gerry De Maine was appointed with the clog-iron chain of office during a special ceremony at the Red Lion pub to become the civic head of Oldham’s smallest municipality.

Because of his lineage — dating back to the time of William the Conqueror in 1066 as well as ancestors who mixed in royal circles — the organisers considered it essential that the ceremony to be conducted with the correct formal procedure.

So they recruited protocol consultant Roger Fielding — complete with red coat and white bow tie — from the neighbouring Hey village to conduct the proceedings with appropriate etiquette.

It added a touch of class as Mr De Maine became the 11th mayor since the quirky tradition was re-introduced in 1998 after the discovery of the clog-iron behind a beer barrel in the pub’s cellar.

Retiring mayor Tommy O’Brien (77) passed on the ceremonial chain while previous Austerlands mayors were also in attendance.

Gerry (59) is a HGV driver with TK Maxx and has lived in the area for many years.

The Mayor of Austerlands title is said to date back to the late 1940s.

The new mayor will lead the first band on to Dawson’s Field at the annual Whit Friday band contest.