INDEX feature
The outgoing Mayor of Tonbridge
& Malling, Howard Rogers
OTHER CIVIC AND CEREMONIAL ROLES IN KENT ‘freedom of the city’ and is connected
Lord Lieutenant’s badge © Kent Lieutenancy
Beneath the lofty offi ces of Lord Lieutenant and High Sheriff, a network of local dignitaries and functionaries serve the people of Kent as they have done since the Middle Ages. • Town mayor – top dog in town councils and elected by their peers, although the role of mayor is largely ceremonial and has few or no offi cial duties. Both Tonbridge & Malling and Tunbridge Wells’ councils are chaired by elected town mayors and have been for centuries. • Chair of the council – sometimes a council is headed by an elected ‘chair of the council’, who is mayor in all but name. Although the post is formally recognised and might involve chairing several committees, it is more honorary than anything else. • Alderman – a high-ranking member of a municipal assembly or council. This honoured individual may be a council member chosen by the elected members themselves rather than by popular vote, or a council member elected by voters. The title is derived from the Old English title of ealdorman, literally meaning ‘elder man’, and for centuries was used by the chief nobles presiding over shires. • Freeman – this ancient term denotes someone who has been granted the
to the medieval concept of ‘free status’, when city and town charters drew a distinction between freemen and vassals of a feudal lord. This freedom meant that the recipient enjoyed privileges such as the right to trade and own property, and protection within the town. In modern society, the award of honorary freedom of the city or borough tends to be entirely ceremonial, given by the local government in many towns and cities on those who have served in some exceptional capacity, or they want to honour.
• Town crier – A town crier, or bellman, is an offi cer of the court who makes public pronouncements as required by the court. The crier can also be used to make public announcements in the streets. Criers often dress elaborately, following a tradition dating back to the 18th century. They carry a handbell to attract people’s attention, as they shout the words ‘Oyez, Oyez, Oyez!’ before making their
announcements.
together with a circuit judge to maintain this tradition, using the opportunity to raise awareness of healthier lifestyles and engaging with local schools along the way.” He concludes: “Serving as High Sheriff
is a great honour and I do hope that I can contribute in some small way to the county over the course of my year in offi ce.”
LIEUTENANTS LORDING IT
There have been Lord Lieutenants in many counties of England since the mid-16th century. The role was created by Henry VIII to help him prepare militarily those counties most at risk of invasion from France and Scotland. Kent being one of them, Sir Thomas Cheney was made the fi rst Lord Lieutenant of the county in 1551. The offi ce has existed ever since, the present incumbent being Philip Sidney, 2nd Viscount De L’Isle MBE, who was appointed in September 2011 and who resides at Penshurst Place. These days the Lord Lieutenant is not
some latter-day purveyor of tanks and guns to the Queen, but rather her representative in the county as a whole. This means that he arranges visits to the county of members
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of the royal family and escorts royal visitors. He also presents medals and awards on behalf of the sovereign and makes recommendations for Honours nominations. Additionally, the Lord Lieutenant participates in a variety of civic, voluntary and social activities across Kent, liaises with local units of the armed forces and their cadet corps and leads the local magistracy by acting as the head of the committee that advises local Justices of the Peace. On top of all that, this unpaid, extravagantly uniformed representative of the monarchy fi nds time to chair a local income tax tribunal that hears appeals against HM Revenues and Customs on a variety of tax-related matters. Given the number of different bodies and organisations the Lord Lieutenant deals with, it is not surprising to learn that the role is entirely non-political.
DEPUTIES AND DEBUTANTS
Clearly the role of Lord Lieutenant of Kent is large, busy and formidable – just as it was when it fi rst originated more than 450 years ago. For this reason, he or she (and yes, there are Lady Lieutenants in other counties), needs
plenty of assistance. This is provided by a Vice-Lord Lieutenant and various deputies appointed by the main man himself. In January of this year Lord Sackville, the Chairman of the Knole Estate in Sevenoaks, became the latest of these, joining the musician Jools Holland, among others, who was made a Deputy Lieutenant for Kent in 2006. Upon his appointment, Lord Sackville explained that his job is to “…help the Lord Lieutenant recognise good works, encourage royal visits and promote the interests of Kent and its people.” These words were endorsed by Viscount De L’Isle, the present Lord Lieutenant, who said: “These appointments are important because the lieutenancy plays a major role as an effective independent force for good in Kent. Our aim is to provide a focus for county identity and pride, recognise achievements and promote service to others.” Working alongside the newly-appointed
High Sheriff of Kent, the Lord Lieutenant of Kent and his new noble deputy continue to ensure that the royal family’s interests in the county are well served, as they have been for the last several hundred years.
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