The Right Worshipful the Town Mayor of Dover and Speaker of the Cinque Ports Councillor Neil Rix will host Admiral of the Fleet, the Lord Boyce, Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, representatives from all other towns of the Cinque Ports Confederation and distinguished guests at the Annual Speaker’s Day Event in Dover on Saturday 1 October.
King Henry III granted the Confederation of the Cinque Ports its first known Charter in 1260 bringing together the key coastal Towns in south-east England in a defensive alliance. The Confederation maintains the links to the historic heritage and works to promote the value of naval and seafaring skills in the community today. The Speaker of the Cinque Ports acts as Chairman and principal representative of the Confederation in a role that goes back continuously over 600 years until at least 1357. The Mayor of Dover holds the Office of Speaker every seven years in rotation with the six other principal members of the Confederation.
The Procession will leave from Dover Town Council offices at 11am; the Admiralty Sergeant bearing the silver Ceremonial Oar of the Confederation will lead the Lord Warden, the Speaker, Dover Town Honorary Freemen and Councillors, Confederation Mayors and Officers, and Distinguished Guests to St Mary’s Church. The Band of the Brigade of Ghurkha’s will accompany the procession and the recently returned Dover Burghmote Horn will be blown in the Town for the first time since 1969 marking a return to the role it has filled in the Civic life of the Town since at least 1588.
Following a Service of Worship and Thanksgiving led by the Right Reverend Trevor Willmott, Bishop of Dover and the Honorary Chaplain to the Mayor the Reverend Dr John Walker the procession returns to Maison Dieu House.
On this Saturday 1st October. There is a Tudor Festival. I do not know if any other members here can post up more about this. Details are hard to find
