South Wales Evening Post - 15 April 2006
Hard-up Swansea Council is preparing to splash out £40,000 on giving its mayoral chain a 2006 makeover. The glitzy chain, worn by the city's political figurehead to official functions, are in desperate need of attention after 130 year of use.
It is not yet clear exactly what the money is going on, although the chain will be cleaned as part of the renovation.
But the bill is expected to top £40,000.
Swansea Council announced an inflation-busting council tax increase this year, and made a string of budget cuts to help balance the books.
But it is now planning a full restoration and is looking for quotes from jewellers.
Council leader Chris Holley, who is next in line to be the city's Lord Mayor, said conserving the chain for future generations was important.
"The chains have served Swansea mayors and lord mayors of our community for generations, and their age is catching up with them," he said.
"With some tender, loving care the council hopes they can go on to be worn by generations of lord mayors.
"The current chains are priceless because of what they represent. They are part of the heritage of Swansea and it would not be right if they were lost to the city."
The chain was commissioned 131 years ago by former mayor Frank Ash Yeo, at a cost of around £80,000.
The gold, silver and platinum chain weighs in at around 4kg and is set with rubies and emeralds.
The chain has been worn by every serving mayor and lord mayor of Swansea since 1875.
However, Plaid Cymru's group leader Darren Price has questioned whether the £40,000 will be money well spent. He said: "I believe that the cost of repairing the mayor's chain is extortionate.
"£40,000 is a significant sum of money and I am calling on the administration to put the plans on hold.
"I appreciate that the chain has been a part of Swansea's civic history for over 130 years, but I would propose that the chain be placed in a glass cabinet to be on show in either the Guildhall or County Hall."
However, he did concede that the public should have a say on the chain's future.
"I am not calling for an expensive consultation such as we had with the Slip Bridge. The council could hold an informal poll in order to measure the level of support or opposition to the plans."
Spencer Morgan, who owns a busy city centre jewellers in Oxford Street, said he hoped any restoration work would be offered locally.
"I have not been contacted about carrying out repairs, even though we are on the doorstep," said Mr Morgan.
"I have a workshop in the city centre and expert staff who have all qualified from the School of Jewellery in Birmingham.
"The chains have a lot of local importance and so it would be nice if they could use local craftsmen to do the job."
A full history of the chains of office can be found at http://www.swansea.gov.uk/
