A LONG-STANDING tradition is continuing for a 66th year as a new Mayor of Austerlands has taken office in a special ceremony.
David Buckley, 54, was appointed into the role at the inauguration at the Old Original Inn, Scouthead.
Retiring mayor David Needham passed on the ceremonial clog-iron chain of office while former mayor Roger Fielding conducted the formal proceedings.
And, as part of the proceedings, Mr Buckley was presented with the customary Yorkshire emblem tie by Michael Hall of Saddleworth’s White Rose Society.
In attendance were previous Austerlands mayors, wearing their miniature clog-iron replicas presented to them on retirement, along with friends and family.
Mr Buckley is the 16th Mayor of Austerlands since the tradition was reintroduced in 1998 after the discovery of a clog iron at the former Red Lion pub on Huddersfield Road.
In keeping with tradition, he will lead the first band at the Scouthead and Austerlands Whit Friday Brass Band contest onto Dawson’s Field.
Mr Buckley was raised in Greenfield and moved to Austerlands in 1984 with his wife Elaine.
He said: “It is a proud moment for me to become Mayor of Austerlands.
“I have always thought there was something a bit special about living up here but I just couldn’t put my finger on it. Now I think I know – it’s the friendship and community spirit from events like this that bring us together.”
Mr and Mrs Buckley are key members of the Scouthead and Austerlands Whit Friday Brass Band Contest Committee having joined 31 years ago.
Outgoing Mayor David Needham added: “This tradition is a quirky thing really for the area.
“Two years ago I thought it was going to disappear. But we were fortunate to get volunteers to take over and now things are really looking up.”
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