An historic ceremony was held in which the Freemen of a town gathered to choose their deputy.
Traditional march - outgoing deputy Michael Hindey, third left, takes part in the procession with the Freeman of Brightlingsea. Inset, new deputy Charles Herbert. Picture: TERRY WEEDEN (46550-3)
The first Monday of December is known as Choosing Day in Brightlingsea and a special ceremony took place at the town's All Saints' Church.
It is unique to the town and has its roots back in the days when the ships of the Cinque Ports provided the only means of defence against invasion from the continent.
Brightlingsea is the only town with a Cinque Port connection outside Kent and East Sussex and is known as a Limb of Sandwich - one of the original head ports.
In the past, the deputy would have acted as the Mayor of Sandwich's representative in Brightlingsea and would have been responsible for maintaining law and order in the town and for raising the ship money required by the head port.
The ceremony started with a procession into the church, led by the Town Sergeant of Sandwich carrying the Great Mace, followed by the Mayor of Sandwich, the Deputies of Fordwich and Sarre - the other two Limbs of Sandwich.
The new deputy is Charles Herbert.
More in today's Evening Gazette
Published Tuesday, December 6, 2005
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