A TOWN’S historic role of macebearer is up for grabs after its previous incumbent stepped down after 53 years.

The succesful candidate “should have a dignified bearing and a pride in the town of Monmouth,” says the job profile.

And it’s not the only town looking to add some ‘olde world charm’ to local events, with Ross-on-Wye Town Council also looking to appoint a town crier.

The new Monmouth macebearer will “attend all official engagements/civic functions with dignity, respect and in good time”.

He or she will be suppled with an official uniform and will carry the mace in support of the town mayor at around six official functions per year.

“Previous experience of acting as a macebearer or previous experience of carrying out similar duties or of acting formally on ceremonial/civic occasions,” will be an advantage to any applicant.

John Blake was one of the longest serving macebearers in the country when he stepped down last year after more than half a century in the role, which included serving 47 town mayors and meeting several members of the Royal family.

Perhaps his biggest honour came early in his career, and at the other end of Wales, when he led out the civic procession at the Prince of Wales’ investiture at Caernarfon Castle in 1969.

The picture showing the well known Monmouth scrap dealer leading the parade can still be seen at the North Wales castle today.

But when Monmouth Town Council said farewell to him last year, John admitted that the audition for the macebearing role in 1965 was somewhat more down to earth.

“The two macebearers at the time both stood down, and as I was working for the council, we were called up to the office to see who would fit into the uniforms,” he recalled.

“As I was the right size, I was told ‘you’re macebearer for the next month’, and I never left.”

He met the likes of Princess Diana when she visited the town’s Bridges centre, Princesses Margaret and Anne as well as the Prince of Wales and the Earl of Wessex, Prince Edward, who asked him “So you’re the mayor then?”, to which John replied, “She’s over there, sir.”

On another Royal visit, Prince Charles said to him: “You look alright in that uniform, I reckon they’ll bury you in that.”

The role of town macebearer, which is also currently undertaken by Caroline Bright, pays a small honorarium.

Meanwhile, Ross-on-Wye councillors have agreed that having a town crier could boost town tourism, and have set aside £300 for a costume aned bell.

Anyone wanting to apply for the macebearer role should contact Monmouth town clerk Dee Lovering at [email protected]

To inquire about the town crier role, email [email protected]