Local business offers help for Westbury’s mayoral robes

FOLLOWING concerns about the price of Westbury Town Council’s proposed new mayoral robes, a local businessman has offered to step in and front the cost himself.

Matthew Rowe, director of local plant hire Hire Standards has offered to pay for the mayor’s new uniform.

In a letter to the town council Matthew said, “I agree that Westbury should have the robes as we are a growing town and traditions are being lost in modern society. If we are not careful all this type of thing will be gone before long. However, I also agree that £1,000 is a lot of money and surely it could be better spent on things the town really need.

“With that in mind I have come up with a solution.

“Hire Standards Ltd has been going for nearly eight years now and supply tools and equipment to many local trades and diy’ers in the area. I have also helped out with the town’s Christmas tree on a couple of occasions.

“I would be quite happy to pay for the robes in exchange for a sponsorship or advertising agreement.”

Westbury Town Council have confirmed they have been in contact with Matthew and plan to meet with him and discuss possible arrangements.

It was confirmed earlier this year that the council plan to buy robes to be used by future mayors. It will be the first time the mayor has had robes since the council was formed over 35 years ago.

The purchase continues to divide opinion in the town.

Local resident Dorian Jones said, “I really don’t understand the heated argument with regard to the mayoral gown. Many of our nationally-owned business wear  a uniform to announce their trade. A policeman, a nurse, a fireman to name but three, so why not a mayoral gown?

“I do think if the gown was purchased, it would allow the mayor to stand tall amongst his fellow man or woman.”

On the contrary, ex-deputy mayor Mike Cuthbert-Murray said, “The mayoral position does not carry any more power than that of other councillors, and the mayor is just a councillor who happens to represents the town.

“The idea that Westbury is disadvantaged to other towns through our lack or mayoral robes is absurd.

“During my time as deputy mayor and a Wiltshire unitary councillor, I attended many civic functions which where attended by many other mayors and dignitaries from across the county, and also HM the Queen’s jubilee in 2012. How many mayors had robes on? Not one, they had only the mayoral chains of office.

“Perhaps the town council should reconsider their priorities.”

Dorian and Mike’s full comments can be read on our Letters page.