Regalia
In front of the mayor on civic occasions are two wardens each carrying a silver mace. The oldest dates from around 1660 and is made of silver around a wooden core. It was presented by the owner of Vale Royal Abbey mansion during this time, although it is unclear exactly by whom and when. It shows the arms of Cheshire and the arms of the Cholmondeley family below the crown. There is also a Tudor rose and a fleur-de-lys, emblems of England and France. There may have been an earlier mace, which was destroyed at the time of Oliver Cromwell, when maces were considered a sign of loyalty to Charles I. It is still in the possession of Winsford Town Council.
The second mace was given in 1910 by Sir John Brunner the local MP.
The original mace was taken to Kenya by Lord Delamere who was responsible in the 19th century for opening Kenya to white settlers. It was his property and he approved each mayor by presenting the mace. In 1946 his son, who had settled in Kenya, returned the old mace to Winsford when he sold the remaining family land.
The mayor wears the red robe and hat made by the London robe makers to Queen Victoria and the gold chain of Office that was presented in 1894 to the former Urban District of Winsford. For many years an additional link was added to record the names of each Chairman and then Mayor. However, it eventually became so heavy that it was difficult to wear and the silver links were detached and put on display in the Town Council Chamber, which is furnished with heavy committee tables given by Sir John Brunner.
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