Wycombe's 'weigh-in the mayor' traditional ceremony took place this weekend in the town centre in front of an energetic crowd.
The tradition sees the mayor, MP, councillors, police and RAF representatives weighed annually on an ornate chair.
Calls are made of "and no more" met with cheers for those officials who have not gained weight, or "and some more" for those who have outside the Guildhall.
Wycombe's weigh-in of the mayor ceremony (Image: Ian Longthorne)
Cheers from the crowd were heard for "and no more" calls for the new Mayor of High Wycombe on Saturday (May 23) , Councillor Imran Hussain, along with other representatives, including his deputy, Councillor Arman Alam.
The tradition of “weighing the mayor” is believed to date back to the 1670s.
Hundreds gathered to watch the mayor-making unfold.
Speaking to the crowd, the mayor said: "To stand before you today, is the greatest honour of my life.
"To be elected, unanimously, by all of you, means more than I can say.
"But today, you have shown what Wycombe does best.
Wycombe's weigh-in of the mayor ceremony (Image: Ian Longthorne)
"When it matters, we come together."
Councillor Imran, who was born and raised in Wycombe, said his focus for his year as mayor will be on youth and mental health, adding that his two chosen charities are Wycombe Mind and Wycombe Youth Action.
He told the crowd: "I chose it because I see the pressure our young people are under.
"Exam stress, social media, waiting for help that doesn't come quick enough.
Wycombe's weigh-in of the mayor ceremony (Image: Ian Longthorne)
"I chose it because I've sat with parents who are worried sick about their children.
"And I've sat with young people themselves, who feel alone, even in a crowded room.
"We cannot fix everything in one year, but we can listen, we can show up and we can make sure no young person in Wycombe feels like they have nowhere to turn.
"Over the next 12 months, I will be asking you to support them through events, through donations and through your time.
"To our young people listening today, I see you.
"You are not invisible. This town cares about you and this Mayor cares about you."
Wycombe's weigh-in of the mayor ceremony (Image: Ian Longthorne)
Mayor Weigh-In Tradition
Although there are some suggestions that it may have started in the medieval period, some sources suggest that the mayor weigh-in may have been used as a way of demonstrating the Mayor’s wealth and status.
Another suggestion is that the weighing chair was a tool used to measure corruption as by weighing the mayor, the people of Wycombe could see if he was getting too fat on the back of the taxpayer.
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