13. John Marshall - Bench Talk with Jo Hilditch

John Marshall is the Mayor of Hereford’s Officer, City Marshal, driver and general factotum to the current mayor.  But more than this he is an historian, a brilliant raconteur and with the best knowledge of the city that you will ever find.  Although still with a Glasgow lilt, John has lived in Hereford for 50 years where he has done a number of jobs and had a number of different businesses. He and his wife suffered a very sad loss of their only son Dan to cancer five years ago which is always very present for John, but despite this he remains cheerful and positive – and is loved by many!

The history of Hereford is much of his subject, the civic museum, and its history, the story of the Hereford Mayfair, the Siege of Hereford and the legend of Owen Tudor.  As you will hear Hereford is a truly ancient city, with an historic coat of arms and we even hear about the ghost that John encountered in the Civic Museum.

Our bench today is in the mayor’s parlour in front of a ceremonial sword and four silver maces with one of the livery outfits being modelled behind.

References:

Hereford Civic Museum - https://herefordcitycouncil.gov.uk/hereford-citys-heritage-suite/ 

More about Owen Tudor - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Owen_Tudor 

More about the Siege of Hereford  - https://htt.herefordshire.gov.uk/herefordshires-past/the-post-medieval-period/the-english-civil-war/hereford-under-siege/ 

Hereford Coat of Arms – https://herefordcitycouncil.gov.uk/coat-of-arms/ 

Hereford Cathedral – https://www.herefordcathedral.org 

The Left Bank - https://theleftbankvillage.co.uk 

Hereford Cider Museum - https://www.cidermuseum.co.uk 

Hereford Museum - https://www.visitherefordshire.co.uk/discover/hereford-museum-and-art-gallery