New Rye mayor appointed during traditional ceremony

The new Rye mayor was sworn in during the annual ceremony where hot pennies are thrown out of the town hall windows yesterday (Monday, May 3).
A packed Rye Town Hall for the mayor-making ceremony. Photo by Anthony KimberA packed Rye Town Hall for the mayor-making ceremony. Photo by Anthony Kimber
A packed Rye Town Hall for the mayor-making ceremony. Photo by Anthony Kimber

Johnathan Breeds was appointed as mayor with Michael Boyd made his deputy as they were the sole nominees from Rye Town Council.

The former deputy mayor Cllr Breeds takes over from Bernardine Fiddimore who served as the representative of the Antient Town for two years.

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The town hall was filled for the ceremony before children gathered on Market Street while the new mayor threw coins out of the window in a an age-old tradition.

New Rye mayor Johnathan Breeds with his new deputy Michael Boyd and clerk Richard Farhall. Photo by Anthony KimberNew Rye mayor Johnathan Breeds with his new deputy Michael Boyd and clerk Richard Farhall. Photo by Anthony Kimber
New Rye mayor Johnathan Breeds with his new deputy Michael Boyd and clerk Richard Farhall. Photo by Anthony Kimber

Both mayor and deputy mayor were sworn in and made the oath, as well town clerk Richard Farhall.

In his first speech as mayor, Cllr Breeds thanked Cllr Fiddimore for being a ‘wonderful’ ambassador for the town and was looking forward to the completion of the neighbourhood plan and realising the ambition to provide more affordable housing.

Kevin Barry was re-apponted to the office of mayor’s sergeant and mace bearer, David Paine was made second mace nearer, Reverend Canon David Frost was appointed as chaplain to the mayor and Elizabeth Emson and Nathan Halliday were named as the mayor’s cadets.

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Cllr Fiddimore took the opportunity opening the meeting to say how much she had enjoyed being mayor and meeting those who volunteer tirelessly -to improve the well-being of those needing support in their communities.

The mayor's party waiting to leave the town hall. Photo by Anthony KimberThe mayor's party waiting to leave the town hall. Photo by Anthony Kimber
The mayor's party waiting to leave the town hall. Photo by Anthony Kimber

The former mayor announced she would use the balance of her allowance to commission a spare key for the old lock on the double doors leading up from the Buttermarket and divide the rest between three charities: Ebony Horse, a local charity supporting the homeless and Women’s Aid.

Afterwards around 200 people came to the celebration event at Tilling Green Community Centre where there were stalls, a bouncy castle, refreshments and three bands playing until the event drew to a close at 5.30pm.

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New Rye mayor Johnathan Breeds with his new deputy Michael Boyd and clerk Richard Farhall. Photo by Anthony KimberNew Rye mayor Johnathan Breeds with his new deputy Michael Boyd and clerk Richard Farhall. Photo by Anthony Kimber
New Rye mayor Johnathan Breeds with his new deputy Michael Boyd and clerk Richard Farhall. Photo by Anthony Kimber

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