Visiting the Mayor

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Hello again. Can't believe the last week went by so fast! I haven't even finished telling you about the week before! But, I was back at work and the week flew by in a flash.

Nathan still hasn't received his toys - I mean PRIZES from his win last week. However - to keep us amused he features in the winners video. Have a look here: http://appgenerator.creativebloq.com/#video

I am very proud :-) He has been asked if he'll be interviewed for one of their magazines too - next week.

Our week of excitement didn't end in London though - oh no! On the Friday evening when we got back - we were invited to the Mayor's Parlour in Newcastle. Oh yes - we do move in exalted circles :-)



Interesting Night Out :-)

The Mayor was entertaining the parish councils - a couple at a time I think. So Silverdale PC was asked to go for "drinks and nibbles" at the Civic Offices. Not all members could attend to N and I decided to go along to make sure we were well represented. You were allowed to take your other half.

When we first arrived our coats were hung up and two gentlemen in white glove handed us drinks.





We had a look round his parlour, signed the guest book and peered into his cabinets full of glinting silver and gold. I was fascinated by the Mayoral Mace - and was running my fingers over its fine engraving when one of the gentlemen in white gloves closed the cabinet up with a polite cough.



What's behind the Door?

We were invited to go to the ante-room and enjoy the snacks prepared for us. There was a very fine large pork pie - that we wee assured was made locally and didn't contain horse.  Some very tasty sausage rolls as well and prawn crackers crisps and nuts. Went very nicely with the white wine.



Some of the Ceremonial Jewellery

While we were eating, the Mayor Mr David Becket  (who sports a very fine set of mutton chop whiskers) gave us all an A4 sheet of paper that had the Newcastle-under-Lyme coat of arms on it. He explained what all the different parts of it represented - including the tree on top with the two young goats next to it. That was put there when Kidsgrove  joined the Borough. It was interesting - and he was helped by his wife Anne who also told us something of the duties of a mayor. It seems that they are only Mayor/Mayoress until May. They have enjoyed it although at one point Anne did say that they did attend a LOT of carol concerts!!

He showed us the Mace - which no-one else is allowed to touch only the High Constable of the Borough. (Ooops - that's why the chap closed the cabinet up so quickly when I was playing with it!)
He said that there was a lot of valuable chains of office and other ceremonial jewellery around and we were free to wander the corridors and have a good look.



Some Previous Incumbents

The Untouchable Mace :-)

We had another drink and some more nibbles and enjoyed looking around and chatting to the other people from Kidsgrove PC. One of their councillors and his wife turned out to be the parents of someone who went to school with Nathan. he caught up a bit with them! Then when the Mayoress came over to chat it turns out she used to be the head of the Maths department at his school too. So he didn't feel out of place at all! In fact I think we were the last to leave!

Small world?




It had been a really good night - different - but good!


On Saturday we went to The Queen's Arms in Freehay to celebrate my parents wedding anniversary. Can you believe they have been married for 56 years?

We had a very nice lunch with my brother Dom and his wife Sharon and Sarah their daughter. The Queen's Arms is one of my dad's favourite places to eat - and we have to say the food is very good.

Okay - next week we are on a diet!