The Beverley Waits after 1700

extracted from the Beverley Minute Books by Alan Radford

19 December 1720
William Smith, James Loftus and John Weddlell, the new waits, to have the usual salary of 20/- p.a. each, a cloak of blue cloth (not to exceed 6/6 per yard) and the badges and chains, the cloth to be bought of Mr. Wride and Mr. Bowman equally and Mr. Lambert to see them taken of: 10/- to be paid for mending and cleaning the chains.

1 February 1762
Ordered that John Leavens be discharged from the office of wait for his insolent behaviour to the gentlemen of the Chamber.

15 February 1762
On asking pardon for his behaviour, John Leavens restored to his place as wait.

14 October 1765
Henry Ibbitson and Richard Hudson appointed Town Waits for the winter season at a salary of £2 10s p.a. to commence from September last.

4 March 1782
John Leavens to have 2/- per week for the rest of his life, he having served as a wait for upwards of fifty years.

7 March 1785
The three waits to be dismissed for neglect of duty.

5 September 1785
Matthew Gibson, William Rhodes, Edward Southern and Robert Whitehead chosen town waits at a yearly salary of 50/- each: they to go round the town in winter “as in manner and form formerly used”, attend the Mayor as necessary, and play at the Assembly when required, for the usual price.

1 August 1808
George Wells, John Watson, John Armstrong and John White to be employed as musicians to attend Corporation processions, at a yearly salary of two guineas each. Each to have a cloak at the expense of the Corporation, such cloaks, hats, and chains as they usually wear to be delivered to the C. C. at the conclusion of each procession.