Published
Video length: 2 min.
Article written by
A very special custom in a small town in West London, the mayor’s weight is checked each year against the previous year, if he has lost any the crowd applauds him, if not the crowd boos him. A 300 year old tradition.
AT High Wycombea small town in West London (United Kingdom), a procession passes through the streets every year. The mayor, followed by his municipal councilicipal, is escorted to be weighed under the eyes of the inhabitants in order to verify if he has not gained weight at the expense of the taxpayer.
The whole city council passes on the balance and the reactions of the public diverge. If the person has not gained weight, they are applauded. If she took any, she’s alor copiously hoot. “It’s a tradition unique to the city, it must be preserved”says a resident.
A 17th century tradition
The tradition of the weighing of elected officials dates back to the 17th century. Queen Elizabeth I introduced this measure because she felt that the notables of the village had gained weight thanks to the taxes paid by the inhabitants. For 300 years, there is always the same pride on the part of elected municipal officials to submit to this weighing.
View comments