Sid Hawke received warm applause from fellow councillors, civic dignitaries and family and friends when he received Ripon’s ornate and historic chain of office this week.
The newly-installed Right Worshipful The Mayor of Ripon, was born and bred in the city.
He previously served as mayor from 2008-2009, meaning his name now appears for the second time on a roll of honour dating back to 1604, when Hugh Ripley became Ripon’s first mayor.
The celebrated rollcall of former first citizens. includes George Frederick Samuel Robinson, the First Marquess of Ripon and Viceroy of India from 1880 to 1884 , who was born at 10 Downing Street on October 24, 1827 when his father, Viscount Goderich, was briefly resident there as Prime Minister.
After serving as mayor in 1895-1896 he presented Ripon Town Hall to the municipality in 1897 — just one of his many acts as a major benefactor in the city, that also saw fittings from St Mary’s Church on the Studley Royal estate where he had lived, bequeathed to St Wilfrid’s Catholic Church on Coltsgate Hill, following his death in July 1909.
In a city steeped in history, the stately Regency period town house that became Ripon Town Hall, has been a fitting setting for the mayor making ceremony since it was first used as the location for council meetings,
Following age-old tradition, Cllr Hawke was ‘dragged’ into the elegant council chamber before accepting his place in the hot seat, with the unanimous approval of his fellow councillors.
Councillor Sid Hawke was ‘dragged’ into the council chamber by fellow councillors Andrew Williams and Peter Horton.
Cllr Andrew Williams who also received unanimous support when he was re-elected as leader ‘strong-armed’ the ‘reluctant recipient’ of Ripon’s highest office into the chamber, with assistance from Cllr Peter Horton.
He quipped:
“I don’t think Sid will be winning any acting awards.
“Cllr Hawke’s heart and soul is in this city and I am delighted to propose him as mayor, sure in the knowledge that he and his wife Linda as mayoress, will represent Ripon with dignity in this year of the Queen’s platinum jubilee.”
Councillors voted unanimously to install Sid Hawke as the Mayor of Ripon.
There were equally warm words for Cllr Eamon Parkin who, from May 2019 to May 2022, made history by becoming the first mayor of Ripon to serve in three consecutive years.
Civic duties in much of his period in office were severely curtailed by covid lockdowns and Cllr Williams said:
“You and your consort Nigel have represented Ripon through a most difficult time and done so in a most gracious way. We thank you for all that you have done for this council and for the city.”
Cllr Parkin, who has accepted the post of deputy mayor, thanked the many volunteers and unsung heroes that supported the community during his term of office and also thanked those who supported his charity appeal, raising £14,000 to be shared between Vision Support Ripon and the city’s Christmas Lights fund.
The chain of office continues in the hands of newly-installed mayor Cllr Hawke, who said:
“The last few years have been hard for everyone because of covid, but I’m not going to look back and instead, Linda and I are looking forward to representing Ripon and seeing our city go from strength to strength.”
Picture: Ripon’s newly-installed Mayor and Mayoress of Ripon, Councillor Hawke and his wife Linda, are pictured with their Chaplain, The Rt. Revd Bishop of Ripon Dr Helen-Ann Hartley, the city’s serjeant at mace Jonathan Owens (left) and city councillors.
