Newbury mayor 'arrested' in town centre

The Sealed Knot recreated a historic scene to raise money for Help for Heroes

NEWBURY's new mayor was arrested in the town centre on Saturday (May 21) - but all in the name of charity.

Jeff Beck, who was sworn in as mayor on Sunday, May 15, was arrested outside the town hall by about 30 members of the Earl Rivers Regiment of Foote, The Sealed Knot, as part of a series of events leading up to the Bank Holiday weekend, when a re-enactment of the 1644 Battle of Newbury will take place at Newbury Showground.

The event on Saturday recreated a scene from 1645 when Royalist soldiers garrisoned at Donnington Castle entered the town and attempted to hold the mayor to ransom, demanding food and provisions from the townspeople in return for the mayor's safe release.

However, this time around it was donations for Help for Heroes that were being demanded, with £127 being raised for the charity, which supports wounded servicemen and women.

A member of the Earl Rivers Regiment of Foote, Jennie Currie, said the event was very successful, adding that many people gathered in the Market Place to see what was happening.

She said: “It was well received and I think most people in town stopped to watch or listen to what was going on.

“Some people seemed surprised and a little bemused about it, but the crowd definitely built up in the Market Place.”

Miss Currie added that a second parade in the town centre this Saturday (28) should feature more people.

The parade will go from the Royal British Legion at Pelican Lane through to the Market Place, before the soldiers return to their regiments ready for the battle at Newbury Showground.

She said: “We hope that we should attract strong crowds at Newbury Showground and hopefully it should be entertaining.

“We hope it will also remind people about the history of our town and the important part Newbury played in the Civil War.”