AN ancient tradition was seen in Winchester when the Mayor Making Ceremony took place making Cllr David Mclean the 818th Mayor of Winchester.

There was a full audience in the Bapsy Hall and invited guests included the Lord Lieutenant and the new High Sheriff.

To begin the ceremony the ancient Moot Horn was sounded, thought to be the oldest surviving civic horn in the country.

Retiring Mayor Cllr Jane Rutter entered the hall in her robes leading the council. After speeches, a motion was held to elect the new Mayor which was done unanimously. The retiring mayor then left the hall, for the robing of the new mayor.

After a brief musical interlude the Moot Horn was again sounded and the new Mayor David McLean entered in his robes with the council preceded by the Mace Bearer.

The Hall heard that Mayor McLean from Bishops Waltham has had a career in sales and also in solar energy.

As part of the ceremony the retiring Mayor handed to the new mayor the Mayoral Jewel and Ring and the Keys to the city and to the new lady Mayoress she gave the ceremonial broach, bracelet and keys to Abbey House. The new Mayor then signed his oath and thanked Cllr Rutter for her term as mayor.

Mayor McLean said that his chosen charities for the year were Canine Partners, The Multiple Sclerosis Society and the Bishop's Waltham North Pond Conservation Group. The new mayor spoke movingly of why he had chosen the MS Society saying that his sister Sue had fought MS for many years and died of the condition.

There was a vote of thanks to the retiring mayor and the hall heard that Mayor Rutter had brought “Energy, passion and vibrancy to the role over the past year”, and her “heroic activities have raised much funds for charity.”

Retiring Mayor Rutter responded by saying: “It has been an amazing year, I feel privileged and proud.”

She spoke of her time as Mayor and said she could not choose one of her over 550 engagements as her favourite but that she always looked forward to visiting schools. Once she was asked by a pupil “Why do you dress like a pirate miss?”

Cllr Rutter said: “Thank you to those who commit their time and energies to all our wonderful charitable and community groups and organisations. Thank you all for inviting the Mayor to so many wonderful events. Duncan and I have loved our year, and have loved representing our wonderful City and District.”

“Thank you to the Hampshire Chronicle for all the coverage. It has been fun counting all the photos. Please keep it up. People do love a good news story.”

She added: “To the new Mayor my message is ‘go for it’. You will find it’s well worth it – no other position in life will offer you such a variety of challenges, such a great opportunity to make a difference, or such a rich array of cultural events. Embrace all that the City and District have to offer – I know that you and Di will have a wonderful year.”

Mayor McLean said to the Chronicle: “It’s going to be a lot of fun. Meeting the people of Winchester district is the most important thing. Following Jane as mayor is going to be extremely difficult. I’m not jumping off any buildings but I have plans to be revealed soon.”

The most senior surviving former Mayor David Sermon who was Mayor from 1972-73 said: “I wish him a happy and successful year. It’s extraordinary to be the mayor of a city as ancient as Winchester. We have the second oldest mayoralty in the country. Only London’s is older.”