WITH devolution leading to the amalgamation of local authorities and directly elected mayors in some areas of the country, the question is being asked: “Do we still need ceremonial mayors?”

Well, mayors go back a long way. They are descended from the feudal post of lord’s bailiff or “reeve” which had its origins in Anglo Saxon times as a chief official with local responsibilities to the Crown.

But, in these days of austerity, can we still justify ceremonial mayors being chauffeured to various engagements, with their bling round their necks?

Judging by at least two examples in this part of the world over the festive period, I’d suggest that mayors are worth their weight in gold chains.

Firstly, we had the Mayor of Redcar and Cleveland, Councillor Barry Hunt, who spent Christmas Eve and Christmas night sleeping in a doorway in Redcar High Street to highlight the plight of the the homeless.

Be honest, how many of us would volunteer to leave the warmth of our homes and families at Christmas to brave freezing temperatures with only a sleeping bag for comfort? The Mayor of Redcar and Cleveland did just that, at the age of 68.

In doing so, Councillor Hunt raised £3,500 for local charities, including Coatham House, which provides safe accommodation for young people in Redcar.

But even more importantly, he raised awareness of the tragedy of homelessness and made us think.

“I only experienced it for 22 hours; some people have to face those long, cold nights every day,” he said.

Well said, and good on you, Mister Mayor.

Then there was the Mayor of Darlington, Councillor Brian Jones, who chose to spend Boxing Day throwing himself into the North Sea at Seaton Carew, alongside 500 or so other intrepid “dippers”.

So persuasive and likeable is Councillor Jones that he talked the likes of the new Chief Fire Officer for Durham and Darlington, Stuart Errington, and his deputy, Colin Bage, into taking the plunge too. Fellow Darlington councillor Sue Richmond and even yours truly, in a Santa Claus outfit, followed the mayoral lead into the icy waves.

By the time he’d dried off, Councillor Jones had raised £1,000 for his chosen charities so well done to him too.

On May 4, 2017, the people of the Tees Valley – encompassing the local councils in Darlington, Stockton, Middlesbrough, Redcar, and Hartlepool – will vote for their first elected mayor. He or she will have huge financial and political responsibilities across the sub-region.

But the ceremonial mayors – chosen on seniority rather than politics in Darlington’s case – will, hopefully, continue to be figureheads, adding dignity to a non-stop round of community events, and raising money for local good causes.

Time will tell how effective the politically elected mayors will be.

But, in my book, ceremonial mayors still have their place – especially if they are going to be warm-hearted folk like Barry Hunt and Brian Jones.

AS we paraded from the Staincliffe Hotel, along the promenade, to the sea for our Boxing Day dip at Seaton Carew, the crowds were out in force.

As they clapped and cheered and slapped our backs, it felt a bit like they’d turned out to watch condemned prisoners being marched towards their terrible fate.

But when we arrived at our point of entry into the freezing North Sea, there was the reassuring sight of a row of men already waist-deep in the waves.

They were the volunteers of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), forming a human safety net to make sure no Santas, angels, footballers, elves, dogs, kangaroos or penguins got into difficulties.

The heroes of the RNLI deserve our thanks, not just for giving up their Boxing Day morning, but for being ready to save lives every day and night of the year.

AS 2017 dawns, I was delighted to receive my Mackenzie Thorpe calendar as a gift from the great man himself.

I was even more thrilled when I saw the picture chosen for November by the world-famous Middlesbrough-born artist.

“Remembrance” was generously and brilliantly produced by Mackenzie for The Northern Echo’s Remembrance Sunday edition in 2014, marking 100 years since the outbreak of the First World War.

It will always be a favourite memory of my time at the paper.

HERE’S wishing you a happy, warm and peaceful New Year.