By Matt Smith

THE High Bailiff has apologised for making a "mistake" over the date for this year's Alcester Mop.

The Chronicle reported last month how David Insull arranged for the mop's date to be changed from the first to the second Tuesday in October to allow for the Showmen's Guild, seemingly breaking with a 710-year-old tradition.

But now the date has been changed back to September 30 and October 1.

Mr Insull said: "It's one of those few occasions where my naivety has been a disadvantage.

''I didn't fully understand the implications when accepting the dates from the Showmen's Guild and I'm more than happy to hold my hand up and admit the mistake."

The mop, as it was planned for October 7 and 8, would have also fallen outside Mr Insull's year of office as High Bailiff as the Court Leet elections take place on Thursday, October 3.

Mr Insull said: "As a result, in order to comply with the majority of townsfolk's wishes, we're reverting to the traditional date, meaning the mop will take place on September 30 and October 1.

"The traditional activities of walking the mop, bread weighing, fish and flesh and ale tasting will take place on the Tuesday.

"I'm grateful to the fairground proprietors for accommodating the change and apologise for any confusion created, particularly to any organisations which had started to make arrangements following the original announcement."

But an Alcester historian has backed the High Bailiff's original decision.

"Alcester Mop would not have been breaking with tradition this year," said Alan Godfrey, of the Alcester and District Local History Society.

"The rule, which has been in force for many years, is that Alcester Mop falls on the Tuesday following the first Monday in October, which this year is Tuesday, October 8."