This filing series, created by the Mayors' Office, relates to the ceremonial functions and responsibilities of the Mayors of Bath and covers a very wide variety of different topics. Matters dealt with include (among other things) the engagements of the Mayors, their appeals for relief funds, presentations to individuals and groups, visits to Bath by dignitaries, relationships with royalty and hospitality. In addition, as the Mayor was seen as having the power to intervene in matters on personal basis (especially in the first half of the twentieth century), the files contain information on a wide range of individual cases. There is a considerable amount of material relating to the Second World War and the early post-war period. Some files relating to the First World War originally formed part of the series, but became separated; these have been kept as a separate series (BC/9/7).
We have kept the original filing system and numbering sequence, although the system changed over time and has a number of internal inconsistencies. The series includes large sub-series of files relating to general correspondence, functions, engagements, funds, presentations and some other matters, but there are also sub-series which consist of only one file dealing with a single issue.
There are a number of gaps in the numbering sequence. These occur either because files were not received by the Record Office or because the number was not used. The following series were not received, and are presumed destroyed: 7 ('Misce llaneous', consisting of two files, no dates given); 18 (Mayors' Visits to local firms) 1952; 30 (Forms relating to engagements); 35 (Mayor's Chaplain); 51 (persons rendered homeless by enemy action 1941) ; 72 (new entrants to the Local Government Service). The numbers 22-23, 37-40, 42-45, 47 and 50 do not appear to have been used in the filing scheme.
Within each sub-series of files there are also gaps in the numbering sequence, caused for the most part by files up to about 1938 being sent for paper salvage (recycling) during or immediately after World War II. Gaps are noted in the descriptions of each sub-series.
Additions to the series are received regularly. The original file numbering system is no longer used by the Mayors' Office, and files are simply given titles. On receipt, they are added into the series at the appropriate point and given a relevant reference number.
Access to some files may be restricted under UK Data Protection Law
