The Charter Trustees of the City of Carlisle, appointed Mr Southward into the Civic role and a ‘Mayor Making’ ceremony was held at Carlisle’s Civic Centre on Wednesday 22 May.
The Mayor of Carlisle, Chris Southward, said:
“To be elected as Mayor is a great privilege and honour. It is important that Carlisle remains a city, and that its historic importance is maintained and supported. I shall endeavour to represent and promote the city during my mayoral year.”
Janette Whalen is the Deputy Mayor of Carlisle.
The Charter Trustees is made up the following: Robert Betton, Lisa Brown, Dr Helen Davison, Anne Glendinning, Abdul Harid, Lucy Patrick, Anne Quilter, Chris Southward, Brian Wernham, Jeanette Whalen and Chris Wills.
The position of Mayor of Carlisle is believed to have been created in 1231, when the city was first officially granted independence to run itself. The special status of the City was reaffirmed in various ancient Charters including Edward III’s Charter of 1353 which ‘consolidated all the aforesaid liberties and quittances belonging to the said Citie they have had from time whereof memory is not’. Each year, the incoming Mayor swears an oath dating back to 1558 when Elizabeth I was crowned Queen by the Bishop of Carlisle.
Traditionally the Mayor was elected by "citizens of that city continually residing in the same" - that is, the Freemen. After 1835, Councillors who have been elected to represent different wards of the city have chosen the Mayor. Whereas in the past the Mayor was executive leader of the Council, it is latterly an honorary position. Since the abolition of Carlisle City Council, the Mayor chairs the Charter Trustees of the City of Carlisle, a body created by legal Order to preserve the historic traditions of the City and maintain the ancient charters and regalia, including the City Sword (1509), City Mace (1685) and the Mayoral Chain and Insignia (1850).
Find out more about the Charter Trustees of the City of Carlisle and the Mayor of Carlisle.