A mayor making ceremony has been held for the new mayor of Carlisle, Chris Southward.
The Charter Trustees of the city of Carlisle appointed Mr Southward into the civic role and held the ceremony at Carlisle’s Civic Centre on Wednesday, May 22.
Chris Southward was born in Carlisle and has worked locally throughout his life – including for both Carlisle City Council and Cumbria County Council.
He was first elected as a local councillor in 1988 and has served on Carlisle City, Cumbria County and Cumberland councils.
For the last 17 years before his retirement, he also worked as a maths teacher and was a school governor in Denton Holme.
He has also been involved with the law centre as well as being an advocate and supporter of the local Scout movement.
Speaking about his new role, he said: “To be elected as mayor is a great privilege and honour. It is important that Carlisle remains a city, and that its historic importance is maintained and supported. I shall endeavour to represent and promote the city during my mayoral year.”
Mr Southward will be working alongside Janette Whalen, deputy mayor of Carlisle.
The position of mayor of Carlisle is believed to have been created in 1231, when the city was first officially granted independence to run itself.
The special status of the city was reaffirmed in various ancient charters including Edward III’s charter of 1353 which ‘consolidated all the aforesaid liberties and quittances belonging to the said Citie they have had from time whereof memory is not’.
Each year, the incoming mayor swears an oath dating back to 1558 when Elizabeth I was crowned queen by the Bishop of Carlisle.
Traditionally, the mayor was elected by ‘citizens of that city continually residing in the same’ – or the freemen.
After 1835, councillors elected to represent different wards of the city were the ones to choose the mayor.
In the past, the mayor was executive leader of the council – but the role is now an honorary position.
Since the abolition of Carlisle City Council, the mayor chairs the Charter Trustees of the City of Carlisle, a body created by legal order to preserve the historic traditions of the city and maintain the ancient charters and regalia, including the City Sword (1509), City Mace (1685) and the Mayoral Chain and Insignia (1850).
The Charter Trustees are made up of Robert Betton, Lisa Brown, Dr Helen Davison, Anne Glendinning, Abdul Harid, Lucy Patrick, Anne Quilter, Chris Southward, Brian Wernham, Jeanette Whalen and Chris Wills.
