KERR: Local government, English style

BY DAVID S. KERR
FOR THE STAFFORD COUNTY SUN
Published: August 21, 2008

Local governments, the world over, have a lot in common. They worry about school budgets, zoning, tax rates, and attracting new business. This is certainly the case in one of my favorite parts of England, the High Peak. The High Peak is just what the name implies. It’s a mountain, a lovely part of the English countryside, and visitors going back to the Romans have commented on it.

This lovely natural landmark, just 23 miles from Manchester, England, is also the center of a thriving community. It spans the city of Buxton, the town of Glossop (complete with its medieval town cross), and the Norman-named little oasis of English rural life, Chapel-en-le-Frith. The Peak District, as the region is known, also includes part of our namesake, Staffordshire. 

But as I found out a few weeks ago, when it comes to ceremony, and handing over responsibility, while the issues may be similar, the English do it all up with a bit of style. I guess that’s to be expected in a country where some local governments trace their histories back a thousand years.
How I came to know this little bit of England is a long story. So I’ll keep it short. In the 1970s I was a student at the University of Edinburgh and was good friends with a man who would eventually represent the Peak District in the House of Commons. I even went over to help him campaign for the seat in 1992. He won. Later, in 1997 I went over again, but this time the Conservatives went down to defeat and Charlie went with them. He is back in politics representing a constituency in West Sussex. Nonetheless, my relationship with the Peak District continued well past Charlie’s tenure as its Member of Parliament.

I have been back to visit several times, but recently I had the joy of watching a good friend of mine, Robin Baldry, become the Mayor of High Peak. Here in the States, even in tradition-minded Virginia, being sworn into local office isn’t that exciting—the oath of office, a small reception, and then it’s off to board meetings and public hearings. However, for the High Peak Borough Council, a community whose legacy goes back a millennium or more, there is a lot more tradition involved. 

Robin, whose career has included life as a professional football player, communications technician, and full-time party organizer, is very much a part of modern Britain. However, his invocation was like nothing I have ever seen here in Virginia.

The Mayor, whose duties resemble those of our Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, formally entered St. John’s church in a fur-trimmed robe and a tri-cornered hat. He was also wearing his official seal of office, a jeweled, gold medallion. That was a gift from the Duke of Derbyshire, a century or so ago, and by law Robin has to wear it every time he carries out his mayoral duties. 

Sitting in the front row was the Sheriff of Derbyshire. And yes, there is still a Sheriff of Nottingham. For this ceremony, as required by tradition, the Sheriff’s attire included buckled shoes, an 18th century tunic and a sword. He was cordial, funny, and thoughtful, but given that the sword was real, and not ceremonial,
I wasn’t anxious to make him angry. Needless to say, I didn’t make any Robin Hood jokes.

The pastor gave a stirring sermon about public service, and the notion of community, avoiding the arrogance that sometimes comes with power. The hymns were some of my favorites. It was fun being transported back in time a couple of centuries, but as a good American, while tempted to join in for the singing of “God Save the Queen,” I decided it was best to stand and listen. Somewhere, I thought, the ghosts of Thomas Jefferson and John Adams might be watching.

Robin is off and running in his duties as Mayor. He is anxious to get more private sector involvement in social services and wants a smaller and more efficient county government. In many ways, his goals in office don’t sound that different than they might if he were leading a county or city here in America. While the transition of power is a no-nonsense affair, the way we like it, in England they don’t like to forget that their history, and there connection to it, is a part of the job
as well. 

David S. Kerr is an Aquia resident and a former member of the Stafford County School Board. Contact him at info@stafford countysun.com.