Mayors, Councillors, Chief Executive Robes

As worn by Mayors.

The cloth used in the making of a Mayor’s robe is of the finest quality wool and although it is optional as to the colour, the most generally accepted colour is scarlet trimmed with full-length broad facings of sable or other fur. The sleeves are also trimmed with the fur together with a band of rich velvet. In most cases black velvet is used. Owing to the shape of the sleeves a fair proportion of the inside is shown when the robe is worn and these are lined with white silk.

 

These robes, as with the Mayor’s, are constructed of the finest quality woollen cloth and although the colour is optional, scarlet is perhaps most generally used. In this case the fur trimming is not so heavy as on the Mayor'’ robe and the black velvet is on both fronts and sleeves. The sleeves are lined with black silk.

As worn by Councillors.

It is usual to make these gowns of a corded material although in some cases woollen cloth is used. Fur and velvet trimmings to a slightly lesser degree are incorporated in this type of gown and sometimes the fur is omitted.

As worn by Chief Executives

It is usual to make these gowns of a corded material although in some cases woollen cloth is used. Velvet trimmings to a slightly lesser degree are incorporated in this type of gown.

As worn by Town Clerks

The Town Clerk’s robe is very befitting to his/her office and the richness and picturesque ensemble are greatly enhanced by the numerous small silk tufts that are attached to the rich black silk of the gown. There is also a trimming of black velvet and robe lace of a special design.

As worn by Mace-Bearers

The Mace-Bearer has rather more scope in as much as he/she is privileged to wear either robe or uniform or both as the occasion demands. The robe may be of any colour in a superfine woollen cloth and usually has a trimming of either gold or silver lace.

On formal occasions such as Mayor-Making, Civic services, Remembrance Sunday the Council usually wear robes. The Mayor’s robe is primarily made of finest quality scarlet wool material with decoration in black velvet, facings of musquash or sable fur and white silk lining. A lace jabot (from French: crop of bird) is worn over the robe round the neck. Lace-trimmed sleeves are worn under the robe. White gloves can also be worn.

 

When out-of-doors hats are usually worn. Males wear bicorn's that are worn front to back. Females wear tricorn's. The Mayor’s black hat is trimmed with gold, the Deputy Mayor’s with silver and councillors have black trim.