The (Vice) Chairman Writes

Essentially the Chairman is the foremost representative of the Freemen. To be sure, he or she (we have yet to have a woman in the chair, but she would be very welcome) presides over the Committee meetings held three or four times a year. But otherwise the Chairman can expect to speak on only two occasions in the year: when reading the lesson at the Civic Service and when welcoming guests to the Christmas dinner.

And what are the other occasions when the Chairman does not speak? Well, the Freemen need a representative on Remembrance Sunday to lay a wreath on our behalf. Invitations arrive from the Town Hall to attend the Mayor making in May and the Christmas party in December and I have been invited to one or two other isolated events held there. Attendance at these is not compulsory, but it is nice for us to be represented, and I have made and renewed many acquaintances at them.

Some readers will be familiar with the annual inspection of Port Meadow, conducted by the Sheriff and followed by the Aunt Sally match between the Sheriff’s team and that of the Freemen. The Sheriff also conducts an annual drive of the Meadow, when cattle are taken off to ensure they have been tested and that they belong to an authorised grazier. While this is very much the Sheriff’s matter, our Chairman is invited.

That is all. Some of these events are open to all Freemen, but a few are for the Chairman alone. A place is reserved for him or her at the Mayor making. Of course only one person can read the lesson and only one can lay the wreath – even though all are welcome at both those services.