ANCIENT ceremonial maces, hidden away since 1824, have been returned to their proper use by this year’s Mayor’s Scouts.

The maces, first mentioned in council minutes in 1578, have only recently been returned to Weymouth and Portland Borough Council after 30 years spent hidden away in a museum. The Scouts, Explorers Catherine Midona and Jon Shaw, and the mayor, Councillor Paul Kimber, said that it was a great honour to be involved in such an occasion. Catherine, a 15-year-old member of the Houlding Explorer Group from Preston, Weymouth, is the first female ever to carry the mace.

Jon is an Explorer with the Gauntlett Explorer Unit, based in Rylands Lane, Weymouth. He is also a young leader with Weymouth South Scout Group.

It is hoped the maces, with their associated customs, will become features of day-to-day council business. Coun Kimber said it is a project he is keen to develop, as is the tradition of having Mayor’s Scouts. Jon said: “It’s great being able to see a bit more of what the mayor actually does – and we get to ride in his chauffeur driven car too!” This is the second year of the mayor having dedicated Scouts.

The Scout Association is the largest uniformed youth organisation in the UK with over 7,000 members in Dorset. Young people get to take part in a huge range of adventurous activities from abseiling to zorbing and just occasionally becoming a part of history.

The pair of silver maces that belong to the borough are the only pair outside the Houses of Parliament. Their condition is currently not good, but it is hoped they will be restored.