The Lord Mayor of York, Councillor Shan Braund, treated the public to an unusual ceremony at the Mansion House, York.
Councillor Braund opened her doors to all for her second "At Home" event, this time marking one of the quaintest ceremonies of the year.
The city's Sheriff, Barrie Ferguson, was returning the Staff of Office to the Lord Mayor's consort, Martin Braund, having been kept in line by it for almost a year.
This little-known piece of civic regalia gives York's Sheriff and Lord Mayor unconditional support from their respective spouses and is traditionally handed to the Sheriff's Lady in May at the start of the civic year.
The present Staff of Office was a gift from Alderman Richard Towne in 1726 and was a replacement for an older version.
It is made of Indian ebony, tipped with silver at each end, and is said to have been carried into battle in India.
It may since have been used in disagreements away from the office by the Sheriff's Lady who is told she may use it as she sees fit, on the Sheriff or otherwise.
Updated: 10:49 Thursday, January 11, 2001
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