| The Mayor and Corporation of Winchelsea | |
![]() 2010 Mayor Mike Melvin, with the Town Chamberlain and Sargeant-at-mace ![]() Members of the Corporation, 2009-10 |
There has been a mayor of Winchelsea for over
700 years, with records dating back to 1295.
The mayoring ceremony takes place annually on
Easter Monday, and since 1665 this has been
held in the Upper Court Hall. The ceremony
recognises the continuing existence of the last
surviving unreformed Corporation of England and
Wales and comprises an Assembly of the Freemen
of Winchelsea followed by the "Annual Sitting
of the Hundred" the principal business of which
is the installation of the Major for the coming
year. The new Mayor is attended by twelve Jurats of the Town, selected annually at the Mayoring. The Mayor is assisted by the Town Clerk, the Chamberlain and the Sergeant-at-Mace. The ceremony is open to the public and takes place at 11 a.m.
The new Mayor elected for 2010 is Mr Mike
Melvin, with Mr Steve Turner as his deputy. Mr
Malcolm Pratt remains as Clerk to the
Corporation. No new freeman were elected in
2010. |