Mayor Malcolm John Clarke with High Constable Arthur C Ogden, Newcastle-under-Lyme

Description:Councillor Malcolm John Clarke stood as Mayor of the Borough of Newcastle-under-Lyme, May 1974-1975.
This photograph also shows a 'High Constable'; the office of High Constable dates back to medieval times the first reference to the existence of a High Constable in Newcastle appears in the borough records in the 15th century although it is known that prior to that time the High Sheriff made appointments to that position.

Nowadays the Mayor appoints the High Constable at the Annual Council meeting and the incumbent serves in office for twelve months.

It is believed that Newcastle is one of only two towns to appoint a High Constable, Devizes in Wiltshire being the other. On ceremonial occasions the High Constable carries an oak staff (which you can see in the photograph), which has been in use since 1732. The staff is 6ft 3inches long and is emblazoned with a gold representation of the common seal surmounted by the Crown. Underneath is “G R”, the cypher of George II and the date 1732.

On the occasion of the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria the staff was re-varnished and mounted with three ornaments.

In olden days the High Constable was the only official who could arrest the Mayor and detain him in the Town Hall.

Each year a Mayor is elected by Members of the Borough Council at its Annual Meeting, which is held towards the end of May. The Annual Council is referred to as the "Mayor Making" and takes place in the Council Chamber.
The Mayor represents the Borough at Civic functions both locally and nationally and fulfils all the traditional ceremonial functions of the Mayor of this "Loyal and Ancient Borough".
In any year it is usual for the Mayor to attend in the region of 350 engagements.

The role of Mayor in the Borough has a long and important place in the history of Newcastle-under-Lyme.
Newcastle-under-Lyme would have first elected a Mayor in 1251, however we don't have records as to who this would have been.
William son of T Swanile was the first recorded Mayor in 1318.