Published: Monday, 7th October 2019
The retirement of Sword Bearer, Don Bruce, attracted a multitude of mayors to the town hall in King’s Lynn, including the current Mayor of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk Cllr Geoff Hipperson.
Mr Bruce has been Sword Bearer for the mayor for 21 years and prior to this was one of the mayor’s mace bearing party. He is the longest serving member of the ceremonial team.
To mark the occasion former mayors were invited by the current one to see Don presented with an engraved glass tankard, and his wife, Joyce, given a bouquet of flowers.
Don gave a recollection of his memories about the town hall, including in 1947, when he worked as a plumber for the corporation. According to Don the council’s vehicle fleet at that time consisted of one electric dust cart and one post war truck. Don went on to say that things have changed over the decades but he was glad to see that King’s Lynn has maintained its traditions in respect of the mayor and the sword and mace bearing parties. He said it is the same now as it has been for the last 500 years and long may it last.
The evening concluded with a complete role reversal. All former mayors marching past Don and thanking him for his services.