A question has been bothering me for two years now. What is the correct way of bearing the mace?
A mace bearer is commonly found in academic processions. He (or, in theory, she) walks at the front, carrying the official mace, a large metal object distantly descended from the knightly weapon of the same name, or, if you prefer, a stick with an ornate lump on the end.
I was first recruited as the bearer two years ago. This is an honour, but not the accolade it used to be when we had one degree ceremony.
There are now presumably seven of us. I suppose we are all big. Our local mace is a tribute to the founders' generosity, and is very heavy.
The task is simply to lead the procession up to the stage, plant the thing in a hole provided for the purpose, and then reverse the procedure at the end of the festivities.
But how does the well-briefed bearer actually carry it? When first recruited I assumed, without really thinking about it, that the mace would be carried in the flagpole position, straight up and down in front of me. Nobody complained about this. On the other hand, I also noticed that I was not supplied with the little piece of tackle, known as a 'bucket' round parade grounds, which allows you to hold a heavy flagpole painlessly.