Mayor Choosing

About

The outgoing mayor gives thanks and a proposer commends the incoming mayor (chosen previously by the council) who gives a speech about their intentions for the year. Following the civic ceremony, the Loving Cup (presented by Sir Francis Bassett in 1640) is taken outside the Guildhall where local school children queue to drink from it with the mayor and mayor’s consort. The cup was originally to show that there was no discourse between councillors; today the symbolism is more of the council serving the community. Saffron buns are also given to the children by the councillors. The mayor of St Ives is always addressed as Mr Mayor regardless of sex – a tradition vigorously upheld by the lady mayors!