OXFORD Lord Mayor Susanna Pressel has made history by choosing a female as her first childe — a childe with an ‘e’ that is.

As Lord Mayor she is allowed to nominate a Childe during her term of office to recognise someone deserving of being a Freeman of Oxford.

And this week she bestowed the honour on Alison Cobb, of Binsey, who was delighted to become a Childe at the age of 74.

Until this autumn, the city’s Lord Mayors were not allowed to nominate women as a childe.

But in October the Privy Council at Westminster changed the law to permit the Lord Mayor’s Childe to be a woman, as well as agreeing to allow daughters to become Freemen of Oxford.

The Lord Mayor said: “I’m proud to be the first in Oxford to choose a female Childe and I’m very pleased that Alison has agreed to accept the role. She will be a great asset to the Freemen.”

Ms Cobb has been a prominent campaigner for better flood defences in West Oxford and against development plans in Binsey.

But the honour recognised her work to protect Port Meadow as common land. Mrs Cobb swore the Freeman’s oath along with eight other women on Tuesday.

Mrs Cobb said: “We congratulate the Freemen for changing the rule of 1,000 years and allowing us in too. Of course we hope that a second sex will double your prestige and power.

“Nearly 20 years ago our then city council was about to grant planning permission for a boat station on Port Meadow. The owner would have unlimited moorings up the whole Meadow, from Medley to Wolvercote, unlimited car parking on the Meadow, a lease of 125 years, and all for £5 a year.

“With Bill Burroughs of the Freemen, a group of us living round the Meadow fought the City Council for three years, and won. I feel that the honour given to me today belongs, in part, to all those who fought.”

The previous qualifications for admission to the freedom of the City of Oxford were being the son of a hereditary freeman or having served a two-year apprenticeship to a freeman.

reg.little@nqo.com