History made at Alcester’s Court Leet as first female gets elected as low bailiff
HISTORY was made again in Alcester last Thursday, 5th October at the annual Court Leet elections with the appointment of Tracy Parkes to the role of low bailiff.
Tracy is the first woman to hold the office in Alcester and was one of three women to stand last year following Lord Hertford’s decision to let women join the previously male-only organisation.
Mrs Parkes, who is the wife of the town crier, David, told the Herald: “I held the role of flesh and fish taster and have now taken the jump to become the new low bailiff. I have been involved with the Court Leet for the last 14 years, doing lots of things behind the scenes and I felt that this was a good time with regards to family life for me to help support [high bailiff] Martin this year and bring something to the court next year.
“As low bailiff I will be upholding the traditions and make sure all our events are well attended, supported by local people and make money for charity.”
For the first time in over a decade the proceedings at Alcester Town Hall were attended by the Marquis of Hertford, lord of the manor, alongside visiting high bailiffs from Henley, Warwick and Bromsgrove.
The evening saw another two women – Ania Arlie and Stella Round – elected, bringing the total number of females serving to five out of the 18 officers.
Last year’s low bailiff Martin Burden was installed as high bailiff.
There are thought to be about 20 courts still in operation in England among them Warwick, Henley and Bromsgrove. Alcester’s court leet plays a largely ceremonial role in the town, organising key events and raising money for good causes.
Other oficers elected were: Ian Whitehead, constable; Paul Stephens, marshall; Yvonne Hine, affearor; Mike Littler, affearor; Alex Shaylor, surveyor of highways; Faye Burden, bread weigher; Stella Round, bread weigher; Sharon Constable, fish and flesh taster, Ania Arlie, fish and flesh taster; Peter Neale, hayward; Ray Howells, brook looker; Tom Harding, searcher and sealer of leather; Ian Wyllie, ale taster; Nigel Noakes, ale taster along with past high bailiff, Marc Venable and town crier, David Parkes.
