A Beverley election steeped in ancient tradition will soon take place at the Guildhall, when 12 new Pasture Masters and two Auditors will be chosen by the Pasture Freemen. The election will take place between 9am and 4pm on TUESDAY, 1 MARCH 2011.
As written in the Beverley Pasture Act of 1836, both the electors and elected must have their names entered in the Pasture Freemen’s Roll. Nominations forms can now be obtained from the clerk to the Pasture Masters at 114 Poplars Way, Beverley, HU17 8PU, Telephone 01482 882140. Completed forms must be returned to the clerk, at the same address, no later than noon on THURSDAY, 17 FEBRUARY 2011. Voting papers will then be prepared, listing the names of all those who have been nominated.
Those whose names are entered on the roll are entitled to vote for up to 12 Pasture Masters and up to two Auditors by completing, signing and delivering a voting paper that can only be obtained from the town mayor of Beverley or presiding officer at the Guildhall, Beverley, on the day of the election.
This procedure has been arranged for the convenience of all Pasture Freemen, but it will not prevent a Freeman from exercising their traditional right to vote at the election for any other Freeman, whether or not that person has been nominated or appears on the voting paper. The town mayor or presiding officer has the power to close the poll at any time before 4pm if twenty minutes elapse during which no voting has taken place.
Those newly appointed freemen who reside in the parishes of Beverley, Molescroft and Woodmansey are eligible to stand for election as a Pasture Master and vote at these elections.
Since March last year, the number of Pasture Freemen has increased from around 100 to 210 with 75 of those being women. Due to the changes to the Freemen Act and Beverley Freemen Act 2010, for the first time this year women are eligible to stand and vote at this election.
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