Alderman and Freeman of the Borough of Weymouth & Portland Roy Gainey has been honoured by Honorary Court Highclere No. 1 Weymouth of the Ancient Order of Foresters for his unique record of 40 years membership, playing a major part in the success of the Order. Roy Gainey joined in April 1974, after his first term as Mayor of Weymouth & Melcombe Regis. It was the custom of those times for the Mayor to be elected to join the court, but because the maximum 100 brethren had already been reached, Roy Gainey had to wait two years for a vacancy.
The Honorary Court has met in Weymouth four times a year since 17 October 1887, when it was founded by Pelly Hooper, Town Clerk of Weymouth & Melcombe Regis for over 20 years.
At a meeting of Honorary Court Highclere No. 1 Weymouth of the Ancient Order of Foresters at Pilgrim House, Court Co-ordinator Alderman Peter Rendall spoke of Roy Gainey’s loyal 40 years service. He revealed it had been decided at the last meeting- when Alderman Gainey had unusually not been present because it was his diamond wedding anniversary- to award him Honorary Life Membership in recognition of his long service. Alderman Rendall went on to refer to Alderman Gainey’s distinguished service on the Borough Council of nearly 50 years and how he had been Chief Ranger of the court in 1987, his second mayoral year.
Current Chief Ranger Tony Williams presented Alderman Gainey with a special silver badge to wear on his Foresters collar, commemorating 40 years membership. The Chief Ranger said: “today we honour Roy Gainey for a remarkable record of four decades in which he has played a major part in our organisation. While Chief Ranger, he introduced members’ ladies to social functions- a landmark decision that has enriched our functions ever since.”
Alderman Roy Gainey thanked the brethren for marking this milestone, “I am delighted and overwhelmed by the honour. When I joined the court in 1974, we met at the then brand new Municipal Offices on North Quay- soon to be demolished.”
Robin Barrett of West Stafford is Sub Chief Ranger and takes over the presidency in October. Munro Ross, formerly General Manager of the Crown Hotel, has been the Court’s Secretary since 1996 and the Treasurer is Tom Savage. Meeting at the Guildhall since 1887 and from 1974 at the new Council offices, the Court was “evicted” by the Borough Council in January 2010, who claimed it was not their business to rent rooms to local organisations! The Court then met at Holy Trinity School for over two years, but in 2012 moved to the Grade II listed Pilgrim House in Hope Square, owned by Weymouth Rotary Club.
The Honorary Court is today an altruistic organisation that raises funds for local charities, this year for the Dorset Air Ambulance. Enquiries about joining the Honorary Court should be made to Secretary Munro Ross at 01305 784320.
Michel Hooper-Immins
