New Mayor holds ceremony in public (From Oxford Mail)

New Mayor holds ceremony in public

8:57pm Monday 25th May 2009

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CROWDS lined the streets to witness the first ever robing of Oxford’s Lord Mayor to be held in public.

About 100 tourists, shoppers and passers-by stopped at Oxford Castle to witness the official ceremony for Mary Clarkson, who replaced outgoing Lord Mayor Susanna Pressell today.

Councillors were then joined by representatives from German twin town Bonn as they paraded through the city, stopping off at Bonn Square for a traditional German music performance followed by a picnic at the Botanic Garden, in High Street.

Hundreds lined the roads to see the procession pass and enjoy music provided by Oxford University’s Brass Band.

Previously, the traditional robing of the new Lord Mayor took place at Oxford Town Hall.

Mrs Clarkson said: “Oxford has always been a big part of my life. I feel very privileged.”

Helmut Kollig, Burgermeister of Bonn, said: “It is a great idea to do this in front of people. The Lord Mayor stands for the first of citizens and this gives an open connection between councillors and the citizens of Oxford.”

At Bonn Square, on-lookers were treated to a performance by the Bonn Guard of Honour.

Katherine Powley, 42, of Oxford, said: “It think this a great idea. It was a lovely ceremony and I think it should be done every year now.”

Mother-of-two Esther Boehm, 42, of Oxford, but originally from Cologne in Germany, said: “It all seems a bit old-fashioned and as a German I found the performance by the Bonn people a little embarrassing.

“They could have done something more modern.”

Gerry Emmons, 59, of Perth, Australia, said: “I have no idea what is going on. It all seems a bit strange.”

Student Neil Rabinowitz, 26, said: “Anything like this is fun and great to see in the city. But I really don’t know who they are and I couldn’t tell you what my council does.”

Tourist Carla Giresse, 29, of Turin, Italy, said: “I do not know what it is but it’s a lot of fun.

“I liked the castle and we walked up here (Bonn Square) to watch the dancers and they were very funny.”

Mother-of-four Mrs Clarkson has chosen Contact a Family and Asylum Welcome as her Mayoral charities for the next 12 months.

Elise Benjamin was elected Sheriff and John Goddard Deputy Lord Mayor.

mwilkinson@oxfordmail.co.uk

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