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QUEEN MUM'S DRESS AND CHURCHILL'S CIGAR ARE STAR ATTRACTIONS

An exhibition has opened at Dover Museum and Dover Library to celebrate the history of the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports and the ancient ceremony of Installation to mark the Installation of Admiral Sir Michael Boyce GCB OBE on April 12th .

The exhibition by Dover Museum runs until the 5 June 2005 and is displayed in both the Museum and the Library at the Dover Discovery Centre.

It includes pictures and souvenirs of past Lords Warden and Installation Ceremonies. Highlights include Winston Churchill's signature of the Dover Freeman book, together with the cigar he smoked at the Town Hall dinner; the robes of Cinque Port Baron James A Johnson, former Town Clerk of Dover; and the original dress worn by HM Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, at her Installation as Lord Warden in 1979.

The position of Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports probably dates back to Saxon times and has been combined with the post of Constable of Dover Castle since 1226. The Lord Warden was originally in charge of the Cinque Ports, a group of five port towns o­n the south coast of England. Today, the role has ceremonial duties, but the title is still o­ne of the higher honours bestowed by the British monarch and the oldest. It has often been held my members of the British Royal family or prime ministers, especially those who have been influential in defending Britain at times of war, including Henry V and Henry VIII (as Princes), the Duke of Wellington and Winston Churchill.