SCENES AT BROTHERHOOD AND GUESTLING, AT HASTINGS, ON WEDNESDAY, 8th SEPTEMBER, 1920.
[From the " Hastings and St. Leonards Observer " of September 11th 1920.]
Two snapshots of Wednesday's procession at the gathering of the Ancient Brotherhood and Guestling at Hastings. (1) Rev. H. B. Cole (Mayor's chaplain) and the Rural Dean, Rev. Canon T. W. Cook. Alderman R. W. Mitchell, J. P., and Mr. G. M. Freeman, K.C., are each side of the Bishop of Lewes and are dressed in their coronation robes. (2) The head of the procession, Earl Beauchamp, K.G., Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, and the Speaker and Mayor of Hastings, Councillor W. Perrins, behind are Mr. Percy Idle, Town Clerk of Hastings, Mr. Walter Dawes and Mr. E. R. Knocker, solicitors to the Ports, in the next row are Earl Beauchamp's aide-de-camp and the Earl's eldest son.
As I have written much in another part of this volume of the history of the Cinque Ports, it is most fitting that the scenes at Hastings on the occasion of the meeting in this the Premier Cinque Port, of the Courts of Brotherhood and Guestling for the first time in the long period of 260 years or in the days when Charles II. was King. The Monarchy having been re-established on May the 29th, 1660, after the resignation of Richard Cromwell, the Protector. It has fallen to the lot of Councillor William Perrins, J. P., the Mayor of Hastings and Speaker of the Cinque Ports, of taking part in more than one Royal function, for during his mayoralty he had the honour of receiving King George V., who visited Hastings on August 30th, 1918, to see his son and to inspect the Cadets of the R.A.F., who were stationed here in large numbers, and was quartered here with his regiment. On this occasion the Mayor mentioned to His Majesty that he (the Mayor) had the honour of receiving the only reigning Monarch who had visited Hastings since King John (1199-1215), which interested His Majesty. Again, on July 7th, 1920, the Mayor had the honour of receiving Princess Marie Louise at Hastings, the occasion being the opening of Quarry House, St. Leonards, which is established as a House of Rest for Soldiers and Sailors on furlough. On 21st of May, 1920, the Mayor was elected Speaker of the Brotherhood and Guestling, and on July 1 8th, 1920, he received Lord Beauchamp, the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, at Hastings, who joined with him in paying an official visit to the Church of the Holy Trinity. These striking events during his term of office have been consummated by arranging a meeting of the Courts Brotherhood and Guestling in this Ancient Cinque Port. This scene was one to be remembered. Besides the Brethren, there were twenty-two Mayors (and Mayoresses) in their picturesque robes, accompanied by the Mace Bearers of the respective towns, there were also many Councillors and several of the Barons of the Cinque Ports in their -
