RESIDENTS and visitors were allowed into one of York’s most historic buildings for a special event yesterday.

The Mansion House opened its doors to the public as part of the first Lord Mayor At Home event of this year.

Coun Julie Gunnell, the Lord Mayor of York, and members of the civic party were at the 18th Century Mansion House, along with representatives from the Lord Mayor and Sheriff’s charities, to speak with the public about the work they do in the local community.

Coun Gunnell said: “It was great to open the Mansion House to residents today for the ‘At Home’ event in support of the chosen charities for the civic year.

“Both the Independent Domestic Abuse Services and the Jack Raine Foundation do great work to help support a variety of people in the area, they are great causes that are close to my heart.

“Over 430 people attended the Mansion House and it was good to speak to so many residents and visitors throughout the day and see them make generous donations to the two charities.”

As part of the event, the official staff of office was handed over in a ceremony which has become a traditional part of the first “At Home” event of the year. The staff was passed from the Sheriff’s Lady to the Lord Mayor’s Consort, and will be presented to the Sheriff’s Lady on Lord Mayor’s Day.

The staff, a silver-tipped ebony cane, was originally presented by former Alderman Towne, in 1726, and was for the Sheriff’s Lady to use on the Sheriff to keep him in order.

This year, the Lord Mayor and Sheriff’s charities are IDAS York, an independent charity which helps victims of domestic abuse, and the Jack Raine Community Foundation, and representatives of both helped provide refreshments at the event.