Gavel & Block

This wooden gavel was presented to Witham Town Council at it's inaugural meeting by District Councillor D.R.H. Johnson, Chair of the District Council's Policy Committee. The presentation was made to the Chair of Witham Town Council, Councillor W.A. Marsh.

This meeting was held on 5th May 1982, and the presentation was recorded in the minutes at item 4, along with the presentation of 'The Official order and accompanying maps establishing the new parish, and also a commemorative scroll sent with the best wishes of the District Council'.

Witham Town Council was formed at this meeting in April 1982 after Witham Urban District Council was dissolved in 1974 and Braintree District Council was formed under the Local Government Act of 1972.

The gavel and block are made from wood from the mahogany family. The gavel and block is still used at council meetings today, over 40 years after it was presented to us.