Lord Mayor’s Day

RGS Newcastle has shared a rich history with the office of the Lord Mayor of Newcastle ever since its foundation. This connection dates back to Thomas Horsley (1462–c.1545), who established the school with a bequest in his 1525 will. Horsley was elected Mayor of the city five times - 1514, 1519, 1524, 1525, and 1533.

Delve into this fascinating aspect of our history.

Electing the Lord Mayor

During our time at the Westgate school (1607-1844), our ties with the Corporation and Office of the Mayor of Newcastle were strengthened. Each year, when the new mayor was elected, the ceremony took place in our building. The Mayor would receive the staff of office from the old oak table, which still holds pride of place in our Main Hall today. The table is believed to predate the school, crafted in a style popular during the reign of King Henry VI’s in the 15th century. 

RGS boys eagerly joined in the Mayor’s election day, dismissed from school early to help sweep the floors and prepare rooms for the ceremony. It was a general holiday for the town with lots of celebration and merriment. The boys paraded through the streets with their own ‘Mayor’, chosen from the students, hoisted high on a chair and wearing an imitation of the Mayor’s medal and chain!

After the election, bells rang out as the main procession made their way to Mansion House (which was in The Close, near the Quayside at the time). Following a grand dinner the Mayor was followed home by the lively crowd with music and torches aflame. 

Michaelmas Monday - Election of Mayor in the Olden Time, wood-cut engraving by Walker, from J. Collingwood Bruce, 'A Hand-book to Newcastle-on-Tyne' (1863) RGS Archives

Henry Bourne, The History of Newcastle upon Tyne (1736), extract relating to RGS, p.35. [RGS Archives, ref: C13/23]

Photograph of the Lord Mayor's visit, 1960s, by Philip Warren (ON) [RGS Archives, ref: 298]

RGS Visitors Book, page 27th May 1971. Illustrated by Cecil Marfitt-Smith (1929-1971) [RGS Archives, ref: 319]

Photograph of the Lord Mayor's visit, Spring 1982, taken by Nicholas Posner (ON) [RGS Archives, ref: RGS/ONS/42/055/07]

Lord Mayor's Holiday

We believe that these close ties with the Mayor explain our tradition of the RGS Mayor’s Holiday which continues today. Each year, the newly elected Lord Mayor of Newcastle’s first public duty is to visit RGS and speak to our students. The Head Prefects ask the Mayor for a day’s holiday – which is thankfully always granted!

Even during the Second World War, when the school was evacuated to Penrith, the tradition of the Lord Mayor’s visit continued, highlighting the lasting importance of this historic connection.

RGS Visitors Book, page 12th November 1931. Illustrated by Cecil Marfitt-Smith (1929-1971) [RGS Archives, ref: 319]

Old Novo Mayors of Newcastle

At least 21 Old Novocastrians have gone on to serve as Mayor (later Lord Mayor) of Newcastle, making significant contributions to the city's growth and development.

These include notable names such as: 

  1. Sir Alexander Davison 
  2. William Hall 
  3. Sir John Marley 
  4. Sir Lionel Maddison 
  5. Thomas Jenison 
  6. Robert Eden 
  7. Robert Sorsbie 
  8. Richard Chambers 
  9. Sir Mathew White-Ridley 
  10. Robert Clayton 
  11. William Clayton 
  12. Joseph Forster 
  13. Anthony Hood 
  14. Archibald Reed 
  15. Thomas Fenwicke-Clennell (formerly Fenwick) 
  16. Sir Thomas Burdon 
  17. Dr Thomas Emerson Headlam 
  18. Sir John Fife 
  19. Sir Arthur Munro Sutherland 
  20. Sir George Lunn 
  21. Sir Arthur Lambert 

Find out more about the office of the Lord Mayor of Newcastle, on the City Council website.