An important part of Ashburton's history is the Office of Portreeve, not least because this ancient Saxon office is still kept alive today. Dating back to 820 AD, the office is the only one now held by Act of Parliament although it exists in eight other towns in England.
The chief duty of a Saxon Portreeve was to represent the King in legal transactions and he was often the only person who could read and write, especially when all legal documents were in Latin.
Today's Portreeve is upholding an ancient tradition
and is still appointed with his Bailiff, Ale
Tasters, Bread Weighers and other ancient offices
each year in St
Lawrence Chapel on the fourth Tuesday in November
at 4.00pm.
The Court Leet elects the Portreeve, who is then sworn
in at this ceremony and makes presentments on matters
of local interest. This court is composed of freeholders
of the Town and also elects other offices, such as
Ale Tasters, Bread Weighers and lesser offices.
The Court Baron is made up of tenants of the town and elects the Viewers of the Market, Viewers of Water Courses, Tree Inspector, Searcher and Sealer of Leather, Scavengers and Pig Drovers.
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The new 1188th Portreeve Mr M Lowrey and the new Bailiff Mrs Jeanne Distin
(Left to right) Councillor Tony Pugh Town Mayor, Mrs Jeanne Distin Bailiff,
The 1188th Portreeve Mr M Lowrey, The retiring 1187th Portreeve John L Germon
and The Rev. Prebandary. Philip Darby Chaplain to The Portreeve
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