From Edward Hurdman to Jo Hodges - The 400th Anniversary of the Worcester Mayoralty

Today Tourists pause on Worcester High Street to watch a Civic Procession, today the Mayor’s Charity Banquets at the Guildhall puts thousands of pounds to good causes and the Mayor has the casting vote during important City Council meetings.

However if we turn back the clock to the Middle Ages, Worcester had no Mayor. Instead the City relied on the powerful Guild that was created by the 1189 Charter from Richard the Lionheart. This had evolved to become two Chambers known as the 48 and the 24. These were made up of important men who made decisions about the City. They were led by the High Bailiff (a forerunner of the Mayor’s post).

In 1621 Worcester was gifted another important Charter to create a Mayor. This was a Charter given by King James I (VI). It transferred the power from the High Bailiff to the Mayor, and created Worcester City and County. This autumn marks the 400th Anniversary of the first Mayor of the City of Worcester. It would, however, be over 200 years later when a Mayor would first wear the Chain of Office still in use today.

Edward Hurdman, the first Mayor, was the second son of Thomas Hurdman of Napleton, Kempsey. We do not know much about Edward’s early life, but records show he married twice. His first wife died very early on and he then met Joan Colley, the wealthy widow of Thomas Colley, Brewer of the City. Edward and Joan married in 1595 at St Andrews Church, just behind the original Guildhall overlooking the busy sprawl of South Quay.

After the Marriage they moved to the nearby Parish of All Saints in 1618 and lived in a house within the shadow of the church. Sadly their house was demolished to make way for wider roads in the 19th and 20th Centuries. As the 17th Century dawned Edward became a well-known citizen and this put him in line for official duties.

Church records show that he was buried on the 13th December 1635, his wife 2 years later. His Will declared that £5 should be used to purchase a Silver Communion Cup for All Saint’s Church (still in use today), £5 for the Parish poor and £4 for St Andrew’s Church and the church in Kempsey. A further 30 Shillings were also passed to St Clement’s Church.

Money was also given to the Corporation to purchase two silver bowls engraved with the City Coat of Arms. Descriptions say they were very nice pieces, but they disappeared during the looting of the City during the turbulent English Civil Wars!

Since Edward Hurdman, Worcester has had many Mayors including William Shakespeare in 1930 and the first female Mayor - Mrs Ogilvy a year later.

The current Mayor is Councillor Jo Hodges who became the Mayor during the outbreak of the Covid-19 Pandemic in 2020. Arthur Calton was Mayor at the start of the Spanish Flu outbreak in 1918!

Today some of these people have paintings hanging in the Guildhall. There are also streets named after them. These include Padmore Street (Richard Padmore - 1848-49) Sherriff Street (Alexander Clunes Sherriff - 1862-64) and in more recent times Layland Walk (Mike Layland - 2010-11). Some of these people were mayors more than once.

In 1864 Alexander Clunes Sherriff was Mayor and was gifted a gold Chain of Office during his time as Mayor. The back of the main pendant is 14 Carat Gold and shows a fine enamelled Coat of Arms. The back is engraved with the following words - ‘This chain was given to Alex Clunes Sherriff Esq, Mayor of Worcester, by many friends.’

The chain has 35 very unusual links with a clasp holding 7 rose cut diamonds. The chain is 18 Carat Gold and resembles railway couplings. This was specifically designed for Alexander, because of his associations with the Railway.

At the end of his Mayoral year on March 1st 1864, the chain was presented to the City, to be worn by all Mayors in the future. An extremely kind gift from one of the long list of people who have been Right Worshipful Mayors over the years.

Look out for news on how the City will mark this anniversary later in the year. The celebrations may be online depending on Restrictions due to Covid-19. n