The Borough Mace

Two interesting items of regalia kept in the Town Hall are the Borough Mace and Miniature Mace.

The Borough Mace serves as a symbol of Civic Authority in the Borough and, at the start of each Council meeting, it is brought into the Council Chamber and placed before the Mayor. Provided by the Marquis of Londonderry (whose former seat was at Wynyard Hall near Stockton), it marks the Coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and is a symbol of delegated Royal authority to the civic head of the Borough.

One of its six panels records that 'This Mace was presented to the Town and Borough of Stockton-on-Tees by the Marquis of Londonderry, in commemoration of the Coronation at a special meeting of the Town Council held in the Town Hall on the Eighteenth day of February, One thousand nine hundred and fifty four'.

The Mace is wrought in silver-gilt on an ebony shaft and is 4 ft 6 in long and the craftsmanship is of the highest quality. Each of the panels on the head of the Mace is inscribed to represent an important aspect of the life and history of Stockton-on-Tees. In relief on one panel is a coloured enamel reproduction of the Coat of Arms granted to the Borough on 19th March 1951. On others appear reproductions of Locomotion No 1, a piece of Sheraton furniture, John Walker's mortar and pestle and a scene depicting industry. The words 'The Borough of Stockton-on-Tees' are inscribed in raised letters on the upper bevel of the bowl.

The foot knob also has six panels, the main feature being a panel bearing the arms of the Marquis of Londonderry in coloured enamel. On the boss, also in coloured enamel, is a reproduction of the arms of the Bishop of Durham to commemorate the long association of the succession of Bishops with Stockton-on-Tees.

The Miniature Mace: At the meeting of the Borough Council on 22nd March 1978 the Managing Director of the Teesside Division of the British Steel Corporation presented a miniature mace for the personal use of the Mayor, as the Corporation's contribution to the celebration of the Queen's Silver Jubilee in the Borough.

The miniature mace is of stainless steel, made by craftsmen from the Teesside Division of British Steel. It is in the form of a replica of the market cross standing on the south side of Stockton Town Hall. On it is inscribed the coat of arms.