Alan Ribchester - The Bodyguard

The speaker today, Alan Ribchester, appeared along with a "Chain Gang" of ex Mayors of Durham as visual aids for his talk about the Mayor's Bodyguard. As he said, they must have been doing a good job in that 5 mayors were still around and able to attend !

He referred to Bishop Pudsey's Charter for the City granted by Pope Alexander III in 1179.

After some 'discussion' of the collective noun for a group of Mayors - chain-gang, a murder of, a corruption of,a corporation of, etc. - Alan went on to explain the origins and duties of the Mayor's bodyguard including their regalia which he wore with pride today and his halberd, which could have proved useful in quelling a rowdy wedding party next door!

The 15 volunteer guards were accompanied by a sword and mace bearer, the sword being presented by the Earl of Durham in 1913, and the mace being the only one in the uk to bear a bishop's mitre instead of a royal crown [from the days of the County Palatine of Durham and its rule by the Bishop]

Alan expressed his great pride in his membership of this august and ancient body and in conclusion promised that they would soon learn to walk in step and parade round corners in an orderly fashion !

Thanks to President Martin for this report - I was tucked up safely in hospital! -- EC

Read about the occasion when Alan joined the bodyguard - A New Slant on Community Service - back in 2012.