Twelve-year-old is latest holder of historic one-day mayoral tradition

THEY are normally mature figures with decades of experience resting beneath their chains of office.

But in Rotherham there is a tradition of a Little Mayor being sworn in too – and yesterday one lucky pupil from Broom Valley Community School got a chance to shine.

Twelve-year-old Sohail Hussain, experienced the life of Rotherham’s highest dignitary as he, along with the Mayor of Rotherham, Councillor Rose McNeely, visited Manor Motor Sports and Clifton Park Museum.

The Little Mayor for the Day event, which was resurrected 20 years ago by Rotherham Council, began when, in his will, Archbishop Thomas Rotherham left church vestments for the use of a “child Bishop” at the college named after him.

Since then, his benevolent request has evolved – so the name of one local pupil is pulled out of a hat to become the town’s most important dignitary for a day.

Little Mayor Sohail’s official duties at the Town Hall included a robing ceremony and signing official documents.

Event organiser Janet Fletcher said: “It’s a real honour to be involved with something that stretches so far back in time. I’m sure Thomas Rotherham would be proud that we’re still carrying the baton for him.”