The Bath Quilt

Maurene contemplates becoming a Councillour

The Banqueting Hall set up for a concert

Ron and Maurene with The Right Worshipful Mayor of Bath

We visit the Mayor of Bath

The Mayor Bath, Cllr. Carol Paradise, invited Maurene and I to her parlour for afternoon tea and a chance to see some of historical items that are kept in the Guildhall. We had a lovely visit and she spent over an hour telling us not only about Bath but about her family and her interesting life. She is the 779th Mayor of Bath, and since each Mayor serves a one-year term you can tell they have been around for a while. The first woman Mayor was appointed in 1950, so women in that position are still in the ground-breaking mode.

The chain around her neck is valued at £90K ($180 USD) but her consort (her daughter) and the Master of Ceremonies each wear chains that are only valued at £45K. It was interesting to note that the Master of Ceremonies chain has only been around since 1777. Rumour has it that, Beau Nash, the most famous Master of Ceremonies sold off an earlier one to pay a gambling debt.

The two maces that always accompany the Mayor on her trips around the city are valued at £1mil ($2million USD). She explained that they were clubs that were used to ward off enemies of the Bishop. A picture of the sword and mace bearers can be seen in an earlier blog.

She was quite friendly and very down to earth. The photographs are some of the sites within the Guildhall.

By the way, if you are thinking about a jewelry heist, all of the items are delivered to the police station every evening. She was quick to inform us of that. I don't think she trusted us.