The Mace-Bearer Magazine - Guild of Mace-Bearers

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TAKING STOCK! 24 A LITTLE RELIEF FROM THE TAX MAN Are you aware that if you have to wear a uniform at work and are responsible for the washing and repair of it then you could claim tax relief? Do you wear a recognisable uniform that shows you have got a certain job? Does your employer require you to wear it while you're working? Do you have to pay to clean, repair or replace it yourself? Have you paid income tax in the year you are claiming for? If you can answer yes to all these questions then you may be able to claim. You simply need to send a letter to your local tax office. For further details check out http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/reclaim/uniform -tax-rebate. Peter Townsend demonstrates what becomes of outgoing Prime Wardens (we did let him out when he promised to continue as Guild Clerk!)
THE ART OF THE CHAUFFEUR In the current difficult economic times it is hardly surprising that many civic offices are looking closely at their transport arrangements and the ongoing debate about in-house cars and chauffeurs verses external private hire cars or the civic driving themselves seems set to rage for years to come so let’s have a look at the issues. First, let me declare my interests. I was a private hire driver for a chauffeur car company before becoming a Mayoral Officer/ chauffeur for 12 years, and three years ago I left the authority to go freelance again. Now some of my biggest customers are civic offices where the civic heads are often expected to drive themselves but can hire a chauffeur driven car if required. In driving for a wide range of Mayors, Chairmen, Lord Mayors, High Sheriffs and Lord Lieutenants in both authority owned vehicles and my own limousine it becomes apparent that the requirement to use a chauffeur seems dependent on what the authority expect from their civic head. If the role is chiefly that of chairing the council meetings and an incidental side effect is that the chairman might occasionally be asked to attend a local function then it does not seem unreasonable for the civic to drive themselves to many events, however if the civic head is a high profile representative of the council and its people who has a prominent role attending hundreds of functions both in the area and on a wider platform then there are likely to be more occasions when the use of a chauffeur is a necessary requirement. Make no mistake, whatever the size of the authority the civic head when out in public is “playing a part” and whether it’s a one-man show at a small village school or as the starring role in a massive production in which there might be a part for a chauffeur, it is all about giving the public the performance they want and expect. Most event organisers will have invited their civic head with the thought that it will raise the profile of their event, and lend it some formality and prestige. Matching their expectations is vital and having a self-drive civic turn up late because they have struggled to park then seeing them root around in the boot of the car for their chain, sling it over their shoulders and enter the venue unannounced will do nothing to increase the public demand for the service and the number of invitations a year they receive. The alternative, of having the civic driven up to the door on time, well briefed and introduced and accompanied by a well turned out chauffeur can have a dramatic effect on the dignity and gravitas of the whole event and the way the authority is viewed by the community. So if you are fortunate enough to work as civic chauffeur, whether employed by an authority or freelance, what can you do to ensure your civic doesn’t become a victim of the economic cuts and become self-driven? The answer is to make yourself as indispensable as possible! 1. Make sure you know exactly where you are going. Not just the address of the venue but which door do you need to arrive at? If you are not sure then go and find out in advance, and if the venue is too far away to justify a recce make use of the internet. Does the venue/organisation have a web-site? Can you see the venue on Google Earth/Maps/Streetview? 2. Remember that if you do nothing more than deliver the civic to the door then take them home again they might just as well drive themselves or book a taxi. 3. Make sure you know who is meeting the civic so you can introduce them on arrival. If you arrive at the venue and there is no-one waiting to meet your civic, leave them in the car while you go and locate the host, bring them out to the door and make your introductions there. 4. If you can’t remember the hosts name or you have to introduce the civic to someone you don’t know then just reverse the introduction. Instead of saying “Mr Mayor, may I introduce Mrs Xxxxx” try starting with “May I introduce the Worshipful the Mayor of Xxxxxx and wait for the host to (hopefully) to say “Hello Mr Mayor, I am Mrs Xxxxxx” 25
Page 1: The Mace-Bearer [Type text] 1 www.c
Page 4 and 5: THE OBJECTS, IDEAL & MOTTO OF THE G
Page 6 and 7: FROM THE EDITOR Dear All, I am plea
Page 8 and 9: SCOTLAND I am 54 years old, married
Page 10 and 11: FROM THE TRAINING OFFICER 10 In Feb
Page 12 and 13: ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2012 On Thursday
Page 14 and 15: MACE-BEARERS OF THE CITY AND THE WA
Page 16 and 17: SOCIAL SCENE 16 Prime Warden Joe Ca
Page 19 and 20: AROUND THE SOUTH EAST REGION Chris
Page 21 and 22: THE COMMONWEALTH MACE If you were w
Page 23: the citizens first chose their own
Page 27 and 28: A VISIT TO BUCKINGHAM PALACE Firstl
Page 29 and 30: THE CITY OF RIPON BELLMAN To those
Page 31 and 32: THE CEREMONY OF THE WHITE GLOVES On
Page 33 and 34: There was some reluctance on the pa
Page 35 and 36: The appointment received a small am
Page 37 and 38: Since 2002 there have only been 3 h
Page 39 and 40: AN OLYMPIC YEAR 2012, as well as be
Page 41 and 42: Further Information about Key Event
Page 43 and 44: CONFERENCE 2013 For members who are
Page 45 and 46: RECIPE CORNER As well as the ceremo
Page 47 and 48: PUZZLE PAGE 2 Find all the words li
Page 49 and 50: The Guild of Mace-Bearers Member’
Page 51 and 52: PATRONS AND PAST PRIME WARDENS JOIN

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