The Mace-Bearer Magazine - Guild of Mace-Bearers

AROUND THE SOUTH EAST REGION
Chris Hobbs East, Area Representative for the South East region has asked one of the members from the region to let
us know what he has been up to in the past year.
Hythe being an ancient town and Head Port within the
confederation of Cinque Port town, retains a
significant pride in supporting those events within the
Confederation and neighbouring towns and limbs. In
addition to these the Mayor of Hythe strives to
support local businesses, charities, schools and the
wider community. This has involved the attendance at
local schools for school productions and prize giving's.
Hythe Aqua is one of the largest swimming clubs in
the South East and earlier this year a delegation of
German swimmers were welcomed to the Town and
provided with a tour of the Town Hall. The residential
homes and retirement homes in the town have
garden parties, Easter bonnet parades and Christmas
shows which have been widely supported by the
Mayor and his wife. During the year the Mayor
supports a boot fair and quiz with the aim of raising
funds in support of his chosen charity which is
currently the Peoples Hospice.
Hythe invites Mayors from the neighbourhood to
attend our Mayor Making, Civic Sunday, Christmas
Carol Service and the very popular day out in Hythe
which takes in the crypt at St. Leonards church which
contains over 2000 skulls, the Romney Hythe and
Dymchurch light railway and a trip down the royal
Military Canal on the new electric boat. Local fish and
chips also figure during the day !
This year of course has seen the Jubilee celebrations
which took the form of a party in the park culminating
in the lighting of a Beacon.
Probably the biggest and best known event is the
biannual Venetian Fete which takes place on the canal
and the Mayors from all over the Confederation can
be seen on their pontoons floating down the canal
ably pulled by two sea cadets. Just as they set off the
skies opened and it became rather wetter than people
expected.
Hythe is also one of those towns looking forward to
the passing of the Olympic Torch and it is anticipated
that a full Civic delegation will wave it through.
Come on other regions. Let your Area Rep have your report. It could be featured in the next magazine.
FROM THE EDITOR’S WIFE
After several days complaining of aching muscles in his arm and shoulder the Editor came
home from work and announced that he had ‘Mace-bearer’s Shoulder’. Well, after picking
myself up off the floor I asked whether this was an official diagnosis or was he making things
up again? Apparently the pain had been subsiding but after carrying the City Mace the pain
had come back. Therefore, ‘Mace-bearer Shoulder’ it must be!
Terry Reene, Hythe
Coincidentally, a few days later I saw the following entry on Facebook from the South West
rep “New shoes + 14 hr shift = OWWWWWW”. Obviously, one would question whether
wearing new shoes for such a long shift was a particularly bright idea. However, it still goes
to show that Mace-bearers can suffer for their art.
Susan Spencer, Southampton
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