Monday 1st August 2011
This year marks the centenary of the 9th Duke of Devonshire being Mayor of Chesterfield, and to celebrate the occasion, the current Duke joined many civic dignitaries and charity officials for a ceremony at the Town Hall last week.
Victor Christian William Cavendish succeeded his uncle in 1908 and held many public roles, including Chancellor of Leeds University and Governor General of Canada (1916-21), returning to take up a role as Secretary of State for the Colonies in 1922. He was pivotal in issuing the Devonshire Declaration which secured the rights of native African Kenyans over those of European settlers - a move seen to be highly important in British Colonial policy.
 The current Duke (pictured left), Victor's great grandson spoke to The Chesterfield Post at the event and declared himself proud to have the occasion marked, "It's really kind of them! The Mayor himself was looking through the records and he found that in 1911 my great granddad had been Mayor, so he arranged this reception. We have close relationships between Chesterfield and Chatsworth which are usually informal so, to have it marked in this way is lovely."
The 11th Duke is thoroughly committed to the area, saying, "Chesterfield really is the front door - you see the Spire from the train window and you know you're home - I have to spend time in London but go as little as possible. I always travel by train and coming back, you see the spire and it's good.
"We're lucky to live at Chatsworth, very priviledged that most of the things that happen there we're passionate about, we have wonderful people there who we're proud of - they look after visitors. If it wasn't for the visitors, then we wouldn't be able to look after the house."
So, what was it like growing up in Chatsworth? He has very clear memories of that time, "I was 13 when we moved in after living at Edensor, so I got to know It quite well as I trailed round after my mother who was redecorating and looking at paint samples. Two shades of red looked exactly the same to me! But ... it taught me where the light switches were! It's wonderful to live there and every morning you think how lucky you are."
Of course over the last few years the stately home has enjoyed somewhat of a renaissance as a film set and His Grace says that it's been a welcome development, "We've had a few films and hope there'll be more. It's quite disconcerting - they turn everything upside down but it takes Chesterfield and Derbyshire to a wider audience - tourism is so important to Derbyshire."
Just before the General Election last year, the Duke had given an interview to a national newspaper in which he stated that he may give up his peerage in certain circumstances, we asked him if that was still the case.
"It's the hereditary peers that are no longer part of the House Of Lords or the Government quite rightly and I think there is an argument for giving them up - I would think about it seriously if all hereditary peers think about giving it up - but what do you replace them with?
"Lib Dems are keen to get rid, so possibly there'll be that debate. Aristocracy is a meaningless word these days - it will happen, but more slowly than we first thought. It is however important as Chatsworth and The Dukes of Devonshire have been around for a long time, so it needs to be a balanced discussion."
The Mayor admitted he was proud to be hosting the event, "It's a one off event - 100 years since the Duke's Great Grandad had been Mayor. The Duke was pleased we did it - it's been a nice Civic event. For 100 years we have had the Devonshire's and their influence in the town, even into the street names.
"Chatsworth Road, Cavendish Street and Burlington all related. Lots of charities locally are proud of their association. I reminded him of the anniversary and his response was immediate. It's good that all the civic heads and Mayors have come along too - and we'll feature in the BBC programme which is being filmed about him - we'll watch with interest!"
It is customary on occasions like this to give a gift to the Duke to mark the occasion. However, the Mayor revealed that the Duke had asked for a donation to be given to the Mayor's Appeal instead saying, "He has cleared a lot of things from Chatsworth. He doesn't want to start collecting again!"
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