The Mayor and Corporation of Winchelsea
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.
For detailed information on The Winchelsea Corporation and Act of Parliament that defined its current role, please click here.
Annual Mayoring Ceremony
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 2011/12 is Mr Mike Melvin, with Mrs P Cameron-Clarke as his deputy. Mr Malcolm Pratt remains as Clerk to the Corporation. Two new freeman were elected in 2011 - Mr Stephen Rumsey was elected as only the 3rd Honorary Freeman in the history of the Town. Cmdr John Rodley was elected to the position of Freeman. He is a former senior Naval Officer and currently in charge of the government body dealing with Judicial Appointments
At the 2009 Mayoring ceremony the Mayor and Corporation were delighted to acknowledge the unique service and selfless contribution Malcolm Pratt has given to the Town of Winchelsea as its Clerk over the past 25 years. A special presentation was made to Malcolm in recognition of his services. In 2010 his work was recognised by the Crown with the award of the MBE. Not only is Malcolm our eminent Town Clerk but he is also a distinguished historian and has written two authoritative historical books on Winchelsea. In 1998 he published ‘Winchelsea, a Port of Stranded Pride’. His second book about the town ‘Winchelsea - The Tale of a Medieval Town’ was the sequel and was published in 2005. These exceptional books have contributed significantly to the history of our Town. This was acknowledged by the eminent historian Lord Asa Briggs who generously prefaced both publications. Both are available in bookshops and via this web site - here
The Seal of Winchelsea
The Seal of the Corporation is as ancient as the corporate seal of any port. It dates from the early part of the reign of Edward I (1272-1307). The Obverse of the seal shows an ancient ship with a poop and embattled forecastle and the royal arms three lions passant. The translation of the legend is "The seal of the Barons of our Lord the King of England of Winchelsea". The Counter Seal (lost in the 18th century and recovered in 1907) shows parts of three public buildings of the town. On the left the church of St. Giles and a representation of St. Giles caressing his hind. In the centre a tower, possibly the Town Hall and a warden holding a lantern and representations of the Annunciation and the Virgin Mary. On the right the church of St. Thomas and a representation of the martyrdom of St. Thomas. At the base are representations of the religious houses of the town and of the sea. The surrounding legend is an invocation to Saint Giles and Saint Thomas for their protection although the precise meaning is not clear.
