| Where: | High Wycombe, Bucks at the Guildhall on the High Street and the Scales on Frogmoor |
| When: | 3rd Saturday in May (usually) |
| Time: | 10.30 (ish) Procession, Weighing 11.45 |
The Mayor of High Wycombe is weighed upon taking up office, and again a year later when the next incumbent takes on the annual role. The Mayor will be seated on special brass scales – if weight loss has occured during their term of office the crowd will cheer as it’s assumed they have been working hard but if weight has been gained expect good-humoured booing. The custom dates from at least the nineteenth century and has plenty of ceremony including a Town Crier; all the officials and dignitaries are weighed, not just the Mayor. The Scales are now set up a short distance away from the Guildhall rather than right outside as on Saturdays a market is held in town.
Helpful Hints
In 2024 it was on Saturday May 25th, a week later than usual- 2025 date is yet to be confirmed but likely to be 17th.
Don’t be misled by sources giving the out-of-date info that it’s held on Thursdays.
Click here for the Mayor’s website: https://www.mayorofhighwycombe.co.uk
and Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Mayor-of-High-Wycombe-104375671955950/
I went to see this event last Saturday. It was the first time I’d been there. High Wycombe is a very pleasant market town, and I liked the pedestrianised centre. The town was celebrating the day – parking in the multi storey was free, and the parish church, All Saints, was giving out free tea and cakes.
There was meant to be a Medieval Fair on as well, but apart from three musicians and a knight in armour riding a horse apparently made from a mobility scooter, I couldn’t see it. There was an historical re-enactement society, but they were dressed for the 17th century.
The Weighing began with a procession from the Guildhall to nearby Frogmore. It was lead by the Beadle, the Mace-bearer and the Town Crier, who was ringing a bell. There were also drum beats. The Mayor, in his regalia, was followed by other Council Officials, including the Honorary Trustees who wear wearing black robes.
I thought the whole thing would only take about five minutes – how long can it take to put a Mayor on and off the scales? But in the end it began at about 11.30 and lasted for nearly an hour. But the Beadle, Mace-bearer and Town Crier, who did the weighing and acted as Masters of Ceremonies, weighed everyone they could think of.
First the Mayor -“and no more!” (cheers.) Then his wife gallantly clambered up and took her place on the scales. There must be some desperate dieting going on in local government circles in High Wycombe in April/May.
They then weighed the main officials, deputy, etc, plus spouses. After this they weighed the council. There were burgesses, in their sashes; followed by the trustees and councillors. The woman behind me explained that they did this because those people were paid. The original idea was to see who had been working so hard that they had lost weight in the service of the community, and who had been pigging out on the rates and taxes. The town wanted to see what it was getting for it’s money.
But then they went on to weigh just about everyone else. The local MP, a representative of the Police, people from ther town’s cadet services, the editor of the local newspaper… When they ran out of local dignitaries they borrowed them from elsewhere. They weighed the rather glamorous woman who is Mayor of neighbouring Amersham; “Evan with the bling – no more!”
They finished with “The outgoing Mayor’s grand daughter”, who was about 8 and whose best shoes did not touch the ground. Finally the outgoing Mayor had a family photograph taken on the platform, surrounded with his family.
It was a very good natured event, and great fun.
Thanks Paula – sounds like a good event to visit. It’s on my “to-do list”!
Averil
It’s well worth a visit. I’ve noticed before how the official robes of civic officials look marvellous when used for ceremonies. I was told different things about the event by onlookers, and all the accounts I read only mentioned weighing the Mayor, missing out the rest of the council. I didn’t see any booklets etc being sold. Maybe if it was written down people would all say the same thing; the variety of information was very interesting.
I also see that Bulmer’s Cider is planning to weigh the Mayor at their Cider Museum. As far as I can see they want to get his weight in cider. The value of the cider will be given to a charity. As far as I can see the Museum is in Hereford, and so presumably they are doing this to the Mayor of that town. It looks as if it will be done on the 9th and 10th of June this year. They claim it is an old tradition that they are reviving. The link is http://www.herefordtimes.com/news/local/hereford/9662057.Bulmers_to_celebrate_125th_Anniversary_at_Cider_Museum/
Thanks,
Paula.
Thanks again, Paula!
If the Bulmers event isn’t a one-off, it’ll be worth having a page on the site for it so I shall keep an eye on it. I guess if it’s held next year as well, it might just carry on happening….with any luck!
Averil
I think, because of local Elections, the date is being changed for next year to the following week.
Many thanks for this, Paul – I’ve just emailed the Mayor’s office to check it out. It’s always really helpful to have advance warning of changes so thanks again,
Best Wishes,
Averil
Hi Paul,
I’ve just heard back from the Mayor’s office and you’re quite right, they will be late in 2015 so I’ve updated the entry on the website. Thanks again for the advance warning!
Best wishes,
Averil