Buckingham TownMatters Summer issue 2019 Mayor • royal charters • sponsoring town events upcoming events what has your local council achieved in 2018/2019 • 1 A MESSAGE FROM YOUR NEW MAYOR It is a great honour to have been elected by my fellow councillors to be the 254th Mayor of Buckingham since 1684, particularly as our town has a long, honourable and loyal history to the Crown. More than 2000 years old, ‘Bucca’s Place’ saw Belgae, Romans, Anglo-Saxons and Danes settle here over the millennia; it was already a Borough by the time of the Domesday Book in 1086. As a Borough, it later had the right to hold Tuesday and Saturday weekly markets and two annual fairs. Today it remains a thriving market town, with not one but two Royal Charters, from Queen Mary I and King Charles II. The first in 1554 created an elected Bailiff – who was also the Justice of the Peace - and 12 Burgesses to run the Borough; the second in 1664 made the Bailiff the Mayor, and the Burgesses Aldermen. Buckingham remained ‘a loyal and ancient borough’ until local government reorganisation of 1974, when it merged with Buckingham and Wing Rural District Councils to become part of the Vale of Aylesbury District, which itself is about to disappear. As a North Bucks resident and local paper reporter I sat through those boundary change hearings in the late 1960s, and as a Buckingham Town Councillor and chairman of the Planning Committee, I have done the same in the 2010s. And like our first Bailiff 465 years ago, I too was a Buckinghamshire Justice of the Peace. I become Mayor at another momentous time in our history, as the county’s four District Councils and the County Council disappear next April, replaced by one Buckinghamshire Council unitary authority. We are also threatened from all sides: by HS2 construction traffic, by the proposed one-million homes along the East-West Expressway, and by the new Vale of Aylesbury Plan, which will force developments which are not necessarily where we want them. But Buckingham Town Council itself remains untouched, and we will continue to protect the markets, its open spaces, its cemeteries, its community assets – among them the Cornwall’s Meadow and Lace Hill centres – tourism and the wellbeing of our town, and to continue working with the University of Buckingham in promoting ‘Town and Gown’. For this, I welcome the support of Cllr Geraldine Collins as my Deputy Mayor, and of my wife Alexandra, who is our new Mayoress. I am proud to serve with both of them. Cllr. Mark Cole JP Mayor of Buckingham, May 2019 2 NEW DEPUTY MAYOR Having been chosen to serve as Deputy Buckingham Mayor this year I would like to introduce community myself to you. I have served as a Town centre and as Councillor since 2011, presently as councillor trustee with for Fishers Field, and have always sought to Buckingham protect and preserve our active community Almshouses here in Buckingham so that it remains a great association. place to live, work and enjoy the many things I will we have to offer. endeavour to do my My personal background is in nursing, having best when been a registered nurse for many years with representing experience in adult and children’s nursing. our town in I continue to work part time which enables this term of office. me to devote time to Buckingham Town as a councillor and other positions as Chairman of Cllr Geraldine Collins NEW STAFF Buckingham Town Council welcomes two new members to our green spaces team: Robin Taylor-Durr and Michael Spooner. Expanding this team has relieved pressure on our present staff. The team has a wide area of responsibility from looking after Town Council property, open spaces in the Town, Bourton Park and Chandos Park and community facilities like the cemetery and play areas. Even hedges, trees, benches, gritting, footpath signs and more can make up their working day. Michael Spooner Robin Taylor-Durr 3 BUCKINGHAM’S ROYAL CHARTERS Buckingham has two Royal Charters, the first being granted by Queen Mary (Bloody Mary) in 1554; and the second by King Charles II in 1684, during the post-Civil War Restoration period when he ruled without Parliament. Queen Mary’s Charter of Incorporation was awarded in return for Buckingham’s avowed loyalty during the rebellion against her by the Duke of Northumberland. It made the town a Free Borough corporate, with its own seal, a bailiff and twelve burgesses. Together, these formed a ‘common council’ who also had the right to elect two members be unchanged. It confirmed that of Parliament (although the the corporation could continue small size of the electorate to make its own bye-laws, there would be a gave rise to considerable corruption). The market and cattle market, and (again) two fairs Charter also allowed a market every Tuesday, but on different days to the earlier Charter. and two fairs per year which, at that time, A three-weekly court would be held for included a ‘beast market’. cases of debt not exceeding £40.00 (£5.00 in The Charter also fixed the boundaries of the the earlier Charter), and a new privilege to parish, allowed a prison or gaol, and assize receive tithes and other returns not exceeding (court), and allowed the borough to make £100.00 per annum. This meant, in effect, that its own bye-laws providing these did not the Mayor and Aldermen would, in general, conflict with the laws of the kingdom. be wealthier than the bailiff and burgesses had been – and therefore might be expected The second, King Charles Charter, was to elect fewer Whigs and more Tory MPs, as reported to have been a joyful event as Charles had planned. crowds in the streets heard Sir Richard Temple declare the great honour and A facsimile of Queen Mary’s Charter can advantages it conveyed to the Mayor and be seen in the Town Council Chamber. Aldermen of the loyal borough and parish. Buckingham’s current weekly street markets Very similar to Queen Mary’s Charter, it and twice-annual Charter Fairs are both indicated how the Mayor (formerly bailiff) directly linked to these Royal Charters. The would be elected, that Aldermen (formerly Privy Council confirms that no Royal Charters burgesses) would continue to be elected for have been revoked since the time of King life, and that selection of the two MPs would Charles II. 4 BUCKINGHAM’S ROYAL CHARTERS DEVELOPING TOURISM Buckingham Town Council receives funding has been used each year from Aylesbury Vale District Council to create the to help develop and promote Buckingham first of a series as a tourist destination. Projects this year of walking have included replacing and updating the guides. The lamppost banners around the town, and first guide is improving the finger posts in the town. for the Circular Look out soon for the new finger post in the Walk. This is Cattle Pens and new maps on the notice available in boards in the town. the Tourist Information The Town Council has also used some of the Office or funding to commission a new map, which can be downloaded by using the QR Code opposite. The new guides have been produced in response to feedback given to the Tourist Information Centre. Economic A422 P DevelopmentLOWER WARF STRATFORDWorking RD Group Chair STOWE AVE A413 OVERN CRESCENT Councillor Mark Cole said ‘Many visitors OAK P WITTMILLS P come into the Centre asking for advice on HEARTLANDS WESTERN AVE WESTERN nice walks in the Town and surroundingA413 area. VERNEY CL RIVER GREAT OUSE BURLEIGH TheseMOORHEN WAY guides are interesting and easy to read. PIECE SCHOOL LN CASTLE ST 1 I know they will be very popular.’ #lovebuckingham ELM ST TREEFIELDS FISHERS FIELD FORD ST RIVER GREAT OUSE BOURTON PARK NELSON ST BRIDGE ST TINGEWICK RD WESTFIELDS BOURTON RD BURLEIGH PIECE MILL LN BATH LN OUSE 6 4 GREAT 2 | Various images taken Lauren by Hutton of RIVER HUNTER ST BOURTONVILLE 3 CHANDOS RD OTTERS BR CHANDOS PARK MITRE ST BOURTON RD CHANDOS CL goodink.uk 4 WAY BROOKFIELD LN LONDON RD OTTERS BROOK BADGERS LENBOROUGH RD WILLOW DR EMBLETON WAY RAILWAY WALK 5 DOVE CL LIME AVE HARE CL Designed and Illustrated Goodger Steve by at SWAN CL PLOVER CL MEADWAY ARIS WAY GAWCOTT ROAD = The Old Gaol (Start / Finish) DOWNLOAD THIS MAP Grab your FREE download of this map. = Point of Interest / Car Park Scan the QR barcode above with your phone or tablet. Alternatively, visit the link below. = Main Walk CIRCULAR WALK 40 to 60 mins 2.5 miles = Alternative Route buckinghamuk.info/walks #buckinghamwalks 01280 823 020 | [email protected] 5 SPONSOR A TOWN COUNCIL EVENT Did you know that it Town Council is a is possible to sponsor pleasure. The team one of Buckingham is very pro-active Town Council’s in promoting flagship events? the town as a destination by Throughout the year organising events Buckingham Town and activities for Council arranges a the community. As number of exciting a local business it is events such as the important to support Fringe Week, River these events.’ Rinses, Bonfire and Fireworks and the The Council has Christmas Light published a new Switch-On. These sponsorship pack events are enjoyed which has options by thousands of to suit businesses of people. all sizes and sectors. From small enterprises To make these without a large events even better, marketing budget Buckingham to large industries, Town Council we can find mutually wants to work with beneficial ways to local businesses who are looking to raise work together.