The invaluable service given by those who have held the office of mayoress has been officially recognised with the unveiling of a roll of honour in Douglas town hall.
The roll of honour lists every mayoress and mayor’s consort since the date of incorporation in 1896 and was unveiled by the Mayoress of Douglas Sylvia Ashford at a ceremony attended by a number of past mayoresses together with Councillor Stephen Pitts who served as mayor’s consort to his late wife Dot Pitts.
Joining the Mayoress was Douglas Mayor Councillor David Ashford who, in welcoming the guests, said the event was ‘a unique occasion’ bringing together many former holders of the office. He said: ‘The idea for the roll of honour came in 2008 from the leader of the council David Christian, as a list of mayoresses had never been compiled. I undertook to carry out the research, a task that took two and a half years to complete and required considerable investigative work. What we have today is a piece of civic history and a means through which we can publicly demonstrate our heartfelt gratitude to the mayoresses for all their hard work.
‘It can be extremely daunting to take on the role of mayoress. Along with supporting the mayor when carrying out civic duties, the mayoress works tirelessly to raise funds for the annual charity appeal and it would be fair to say that many local community causes would be worse off were it not for the sterling efforts of mayoresses down through the years.’
Among those attending the ceremony was Irene Ackary who served as mayoress 39 years ago (1973-74). She was joined by Helen Callow (1992-93), Glenda Corkish (1995-96), June Craine (1994-95 and 2006-07), Ruth Denning (2005-06), Dianne Flaherty (2002-03), Connie Kennish (1989-90), Patricia Kinrade (1999-2001), Eileen Morley (1999-99), Pat Talavera (1978-79), Muriel Waterson (1975-76), Shirley Wilson (2009-10) and Councillor Stephen Pitts (2008-09).
Designed by Colleen Corlett the mayoresses’ roll of honour has taken its place in the foyer of the town hall alongside that of the mayors of Douglas.
Photo caption - Douglas Mayor David Ashford with the Mayoress, Sylvia Ashford and former mayoresses. Picture Andrew Barton
