Welcome to the 788th Mayor!

On Wednesday 12 May 2010, two year 5 school councillors went to the Mayor Making Ceremony at the Guildhall in the city centre of Southampton.

The Mayor Making Ceremony is where people elect a new Mayor for the city of Southampton. The new Mayor is the 788th Mayor of the city and her name is Carol Cunio.

Local councillors nominate and second the Mayor. When the Mayor walks on to the stage soldiers line up on either sides of the seats. The Councillors and the new Mayor walk inbetween the soldiers and walk up to the stage.



When the Mayor is on the stage she goes behind the curtain to the right and changes from her blue Sheriff's robes into her red Mayoral robes. When she is seated, the Town Sergeants walk up to the table she has in front of her and put a gold sceptre on a stand on the table.

After that a school choir sings for everyone. This year, the school was from St Monica Junior School.

Afterwards, the Mayor gives her first speech. Before the Mayor speaks the Town Crier says "All stand!" When the Mayor has walked to the table and when she has sat down, she says "Please be seated."

After that she signs declaration of acceptance of office as requied by law.

As School Councillors, going to the Mayor Making Ceremony made us realise what a real Council works like. We would like to thank Mrs DiMaiolo for taking us to the ceremony.

By Navraj and Paige