AS age is beginning to take its toll on the medallion traditionally worn by the Mayor of Okehampton, town councillors last week considered the possibility of buying a replica to protect it from further wear and tear. The medallion is worn at the end of the mayor's chain on special occasions. At a meeting of the council's policy and resources committee, town clerk Don Bent informed councillors that he had sought estimates to create a replica. The medallion is more than 100 years old and made of gold with an enamel insert, on which is inscribed Ockment Burgh Council and the outline of the town castle. However, the new designs of the medallion put forward by a reputable jeweller were not acceptable to the council. It would also cost the town several hundreds of pounds. Cllr Christine Marsh, a previous Mayor of Okehampton, said the damage to the medallion was caused when the mayor sat down and the medallion constantly banged against the table and came off its clasp. Over the years this had taken its toll. The committee considered buying a replica or just putting the medallion on a ribbon so it would not knock against objects. Cllr Sheila Gregory said: 'When we look at the age and history of the original, it would be a shame to damage it further.' Cllr Marsh proposed that the council continued with the present medallion while they sought other options. The chairman of the committee, Cllr Charles Letchford, proposed the committee reject the designs and that it looked in the budget for 2008 for an acceptable substitute.
