The Mace-Bearer Magazine - Guild of Mace-Bearers

BECOMING THE YOUNGEST TOWN SERGEANT/MACEBEARER
2010 was an important year for me as this was the
year I got my dream job. It all started when my friend
was made redundant but unfortunately the jobcentre
in Deal where we lived had closed so I was tasked with
taking him and his wife to the next nearest which was
in Dover. Well as he waited to be called forward we
thought we would have a quick look on the computers
to see what was about. There it was Dover Town
Council are looking for a new Town Sergeant/General
Assistant.
Now most people especially of my age (at the time 24
years young) would have no clue what a Town
Sergeant was but I was the lucky one as for many
years before I had been lucky enough to help the
Town Mayor of Ramsgate out with a few jobs.
One of these jobs was when I was 19 in 2005 and
Ramsgate Council had just appointed a new Town
Sergeant (still in post today) and the first week he
joined was Battle of Britain week. In Ramsgate they
have a big parade through the town. I had been
attending these parades for a number of years as my
father was and still is the Officer Commanding of
Ramsgate Air Cadet Unit and I was a Civilian
Instructor, so this was the parade (apart from
Remembrance Day) that the Air Cadets had to be at.
Well the council felt it would be unfair
to ask the new Town Sergeant to do
such a high profile event so they
asked me to step in as I knew the
layout of the day. As you can
see by the picture I was a
natural! Ha I wish as inside I
was panicking! Yes I knew the
layout of the day but I had no
idea how to macebear! Well it
all went smoothly and
apparently I did a good job and
the Mayor was happy.
So this all flashed through my mind
when I saw the words Town Sergeant on the job role.
Do you know of a younger Mace-Bearer? Let the Editor know.
Now I would have taken the job back in 2005 in
Ramsgate but I couldn't as by then I did not know how
to drive so I thought that was my last chance to
become a Town Sergeant.
So fast forward a few months I had attended my 2
interviews at Dover Town Council and as part of one
of these I had to attend that years Mayor Making. As I
said before this was not my first encounter with
Mayors but Dover definitely did Mayor Making on a
grander scale to others I had attended.
Well after much deliberation the council decided to go
with me instead of the other applicant. I was made
up! I couldn't believe my luck. But then came the hard
part, actually doing the job for 20 hours a week
instead of just stepping in.
My background within the RAF as my father is a Flt Lt
and also my brother is serving at RAF Marham has
helped a lot with the two years I have been in post.
But the people who have helped me the most are my
first two Mayors. I have been very lucky that Cllr Sue
Jones and Cllr Ronnie Philpott have been there for me
all the way. Now this could be trying to explain how to
get to certain places then realising we are completely
lost or by telling me quietly how I was going wrong.
We have had many a laugh and a tear over the two
years. I think the funniest has probably been when we
went to Belgium for the first time last year and people
thought Ronnie was my Nan and Sue was my Mum!
Well, theoretically, the age group we could be but it
did make us laugh. Also I’m glad to say I have stopped
being asked if I am the Mayors husband! It was fine
for the Cllrs as they looked like they had a toy boy!
Anyway, so my first two years has been an eye opener
but I wouldn’t change it for the world! I love the
history of the job and the history I have become part
of and I hope one day when I retire in 60 years’ time
my family can look back and be proud I was part of
this historical job which we all do.
Chris Hobbs-East, Dover Town Council
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