Colchester: History made at Town Hall

8:47am Saturday 3rd May 2008

Comments (1)   Have your say »

HISTORY has been made at Colchester Town Hall - while at the same time striking a blow for women's rights.

For the first time, a board listing Colchester's mayoresses has been mounted on the wall of the Mayor's Parlour.

It sits alongside the two boards listing Colchester mayors which date back to 1635.

The board, which is made of oak, has been donated by Frank and Audrey Shaw, the parents of Colchester mayoress Jenny Gamble.

Sadly Mrs Shaw died recently, but Mr Shaw, who lives on the St John's estate, was at the Town Hall for the official unveiling.

Colchester mayor Ray Gamble said: "We feel the mayoresses thoroughly deserve to be honoured in this way because of the work they do and the support they give."

The board lists the mayoresses and escorts who have served the borough since 1974.

And the mayor and mayoresses from that date were invited to the ceremony to mark the occasion.

Mr Gamble said: "About 40 people attended which was marvellous. We toasted the mayoresses with Champagne. It was a true celebration."