A dozen past mayors gathered at Great Yarmouth Town Hall in April to be honoured for their contribution to the Borough.

The High Steward of Great Yarmouth, Michael Falcon, presented the mayors with a medal to wear on civic occasions to mark their role in the Borough’s history.

"Apart from their name on the role of honour in the Town Hall, past mayors have never had anything to denote the time they spent in office," said Mayor’s Secretary Laura Goodman, the person behind the scheme.

"From now on when they attend a civic ceremony or function they will be marked out as someone who was chosen to represent the Borough for a year.

"In the future medals will be presented at the mayor-making ceremony."

The past-mayors attending the ceremony in the Assembly Rooms represented a time-span from 1964 to the present day.

The mayor elected in 1964 was Henry McGee, who also served in 1984/5.

Four former mayors were unable to attend the ceremony either through ill health, or in the case of Brenda Mills because she now lives in Australia. Their medals were collected by a family member or will be sent to them.

"The event was a great success," added Laura. "To hear some of the mayors reminiscing about their year in office was a real education.

"Mr and Mrs McGee could remember visiting every hospital and residential home (and that included children’s homes in those days) in the Borough on Christmas Eve to be greeted with mince pies at every one!"

The Mayor’s honoured were:

From 1973 to 1983 the Borough did not elect a mayor.

For further information contact Mayor’s Secretary Laura Goodman on 01493 846125 or e-mail lauragoodman@great-yarmouth.gov.uk.