WISBECH town mace s 100th birthday was marked by a spectacular procession through the town that included 17 maces from other East Anglian towns and cities. The mace bearers and civic visitors had accepted an invitation from town mayor, Councillor David Ol

WISBECH town mace's 100th birthday was marked by a spectacular procession through the town that included 17 maces from other East Anglian towns and cities.

The mace bearers and civic visitors had accepted an invitation from town mayor, Councillor David Oliver, to commemorate the day in 1907 when Lord Peckover presented the mace to the people of Wisbech.

The gift was his appreciation of the civic reception following Lord Peckover's elevation to the peerage.

Cllr Oliver felt the occasion should not pass unnoticed, so he set about bringing other civic leaders - and their maces - to Wisbech for a procession and service at St Peter's Church on Saturday.

After a service that included the moment of rededication, guests went to the town hall for lunch.

"We had maces from as far afield as Dagenham and Daventry as well as local towns such as King's Lynn, Kettering and Thetford," said Cllr Oliver.

"I don't think it's an event you are likely ever to see repeated anywhere."

Cllr Oliver's civic amenities committee organised the day, which included extra security to ensure the valuable regalia remained intact.

"Everyone I spoke to afterwards said they had never seen so many maces together in one place at the same time," he said.

The Army Cadets Corps of Drums led the official parade.