THE outgoing Mayor of High Wycombe said she is expecting a few jeers from the public today as she steps on to the scale for the town's traditional weighing ceremony.
The town's mayors are weighed when they take up office and when they leave in a tradition dating back to the 13th century.
It is said to have started to ensure the mayor and other officials did not "live off the fat of the land" at the expense of ratepayers.
If they have put on weight then townsfolk gathered in the High Street jeer - and outgoing Val Razzaq said she is bracing herself for the worst.
She joked: "I am not looking forward to the weighing in as I have probably put on a few pounds. It is not very nice being booed."
Cllr Razzaq - a member of Wycombe District Council - said she was still looking forward to the day.
"It's a wonderful thing. It is a great day because the Roundheads are all dressed up in their medieval costumes and the crowds love it.
"It is really unique. I do not think it is done anywhere else in the world."
The councillor, who was born in the town, said: "I have enjoyed the time immensely but I am looking forward to a well-earned rest."
Cllr Paul Lambourne will be sworn in as High Wycombe's new mayor at the ceremony, which begins at 11.45am.
The Conservative councillor for Sands is familiar with the ceremony having been responsible for the weighing in over previous years in his role as the Town Beadle.
See Midweek>/i> on Tuesday for a full report on the ceremony.
