It is customary for an outgoing Mayor to make a gift to the Borough. Youth Councils are a common feature of most schools now and we have even taken part in one school council meeting during our year in office. We have been fascinated, and very impressed, by our many meetings with children and young people and the quality of debates that we have hosted in the Council Chamber, involving not just schools, but also scout groups and others.
Our gold chain has always been a source of fascination to children and young people during our encounters. We therefore decided we would donate a replica of the Mayor’s chain, together with gavel and block, neatly held in a leather case, to the Borough. The junior chain will be available for borough schools and young people’s groups to use, for example, during their youth council meetings – it would be worn by the chair of the meeting, usually on special occasions, such as inaugural meetings or for a celebration event. It is intended to help them learn about local democracy and encourage involvement and gain confidence in debates and council meetings.
The youth chain is a shiny replica of the original, crafted by Jason Clarke of Evolution Jewellery, while the gavel and block was made as a gift by Rotarian Ted Trowsdale of the Solihull Rotary Club. This all shows that craftmanship is still very much alive in the West Midlands.
It is intended that the chain, when not out on loan, will be on display in the Civic Centre.
The photos show the chain being worn by the Mayor’s Sea Scout, William Salloway, and with Jason Clarke and with Rotarian Ted Trowsdale.
