IT WAS all change in Alcester last Thursday when the first female high bailiff in the court leet’s 700-year history was elected.
As protocol dictated, Tracy Parkes formally took on the top job after spending the last 12 months in the role of low bailiff.
She is joined in the leadership roles by Sharon Constable, the new low bailiff following her tenure as fish and flesh taster.
Both joined the traditionally male-only organization in 2022 when it opted to change the rules to admit women after a two-year campaign for gender equality by campaigners, backed by the Standard.
Alcester’s new high bailiff Tracy Parkes and low bailiff Sharon Constable in their brand new robes on election night at Alcester Town Hall.
Tracy said: “I am honoured and feel very privileged to be able to hold the position of high bailiff.
“As the first lady high bailiff of Alcester I am looking forward to upholding the traditions of the court leet whilst raising money along the way for our town’s charities.
“I am also looking forward to working with a group of officers who all contribute in many different ways, giving their time and skills to all that we do. We are all looking forward to the year ahead.”
High bailiff Tracy Parkes getting sworn in by steward of the manor David Henderson.
Kathrin Foster, founding member of the campaign group Equa-Leety, said she was incredibly proud of how the court leet has embraced the change brought on by Lord Hertford‘s decision in 2021 to allow the election of jurors and officers irrespective of gender.
This took effect in 2022 when three female Alcestrians became officers for the first time and women were also given the right to vote in the court’s elections.
Kathrin said: “I’m thrilled that the court has not looked back and gone from strength-to-strength with Alcester’s first female high bailiff being elected this year.
“My congratulations go to both Tracy and Sharon and I wish them all the best and an enjoyable year in their roles.
“I think the change has been in keeping with the spirit of the town, which has shown true strength of character in making Alcester the best community to live in.”
Alcester Court Leet – one of around 20 still remaining in England – has been in existence since at least the late 13th Century. Its role is now largely ceremonial, but in medieval times it had responsibilities which included keeping law and order in the town.
Ladies in red. Alcester’s new high and low bailiff with the Henley-in-Arden high bailiff Elaine Field and low bailiff Sharon Jones.
It is headed by the high bailiff while other roles include constable, bread-weigher, fish and flesh taster and brook looker. The charitable organisation also raises cash for good causes and the high bailiff automatically gets a seat on various other charitable boards in the town.
More than 70 people attended the event on October 3 which was officiated by the steward of the manor, David Henderson, in the Town Hall, Henley Street.
These included Henry Seymour, 9th Marquess of Hertford, Alcester Mayor Councillor Mike Bowe and officers from Henley and Warwick court leets.
