The Lady Mayoress' Evening Jewel will be restored after the Lord Mayor broke a tied vote. Repairs to three civic silver candelabra were turned down as too costly.

An 18th-century jewel worn at Chester’s civic events will be fully restored after the Lord Mayor used her casting vote to save it.

The City of Chester Charter Trustees, the councillors who look after the city’s mayoralty, split evenly on the Lady Mayoress’ Evening Jewel at their meeting on 29 October. The minutes were published on Wednesday 11 November (printed minutes).

A fragile jewel

Trustees were told the jewel dates from the 18th century and “had become increasingly fragile following numerous repairs over many years”. Some wanted it restored so it can still be worn. Others suggested keeping it as it is and putting it on display.

The vote was tied. The Lord Mayor, Councillor Margaret Parker, who chairs the trustees, cast the deciding vote for full restoration. The minutes do not give the cost.

A temporary repair had already been made so the jewel could be used at upcoming events, according to the trustees’ advisory panel in September (reports pack).

Three civic silver candelabra did not fare as well. Trustees agreed the cost of repairing them “was excessive for their use” and left them for now. They will look again when they set next year’s budget and precept.

The other decisions

The same meeting:

  • welcomed His Honour Judge Ian Unsworth KC as the new Honorary Recorder of Chester, after the retirement of His Honour Judge Steven Everett, and agreed a small civic reception to mark it
  • decided not to create a Civic Community Recognition Awards Scheme, because so many recognition schemes already run across the borough; community champions could be invited to existing events such as the Lord Mayor’s Banquet instead
  • put off deciding who should cover about £800 of extra finance and audit work caused by fundraising in the last civic year, and asked for a breakdown of the costs first
  • asked the Lord Mayor to consider where the Chester Lions’ share of the fireworks money should go, now that the Lions are no longer operating

Fireworks and fundraising

Proceeds from the Lord Mayor’s fireworks have traditionally been split equally three ways: the Lord Mayor’s charities, Chester Racecourse’s chosen charities and Chester Lions.

One trustee proposed giving the Lions’ third to the borough council’s Chairman’s Trust Fund, which helps disadvantaged children and young people. Councillor Parker said she supported its aims but noted the fireworks are a city event and the fund covers the whole borough. She will bring her recommendation to the trustees’ advisory panel.

Trustees also heard that Chester Racecourse had raised concerns about ticket sales for this year’s display, because the date coincided with Halloween.

The extra £800 comes from the previous civic year’s fundraising, which raised almost £30,000 for charity, according to the advisory panel’s minutes. Because that passed the Charity Commission’s £25,000 threshold, full accounts and an annual report had to be filed. The cost was not in the budget, so it would have to come from reserves if the trustees pay it.

What it means for you

The Charter Trustees are paid for through a precept, an extra charge collected with council tax in the city. Their 2027-28 budget and precept is where the candelabra repairs will come back.

The trustees also confirmed that the external audit of their 2025-26 accounts was completed with no matters of concern raised.