POLICE are being urged to buy a 103-year-old ceremonial truncheon which once belonged to a Mayor of Oxford.

The wooden truncheon is believed to have been handed to a special constable by councillor Thomas Taphouse to celebrate the coronation of Edward VII in 1902.

Mr Taphouse went on to become Mayor of Oxford in 1904, although he only managed to preside over one council meeting before he fell ill and died in January 1905 at the age of 66.

The wooden truncheon, which bears his name and an image of the crown over the arms of Oxford, has been put up for sale for £150 by Warwick based auctioneers Bleasdales.

Last night Stephanie Jenkins, who wrote a biography of Mr Taphouse for her website headington.org.uk, said: “It would be nice if Thames Valley Police could be pressured to buy it so it could come back to Oxford.

“It’s a very reasonable price.

“I would like to see it hang at St Aldate’s police station – they could use it for emergencies.”

Born in Hampshire, Mr Taphouse’s family moved to Osney Mill, Oxford, in 1842 when he was four-years-old.

At the time of the 1851 census the family was living in St Ebbe’s.

He was a pupil at Oxford’s Wesleyan School, though he left at 14 to work with his father as a cabinet maker for four years. During that time he saved up 10 guineas to buy a harmonium.

At 18, he went to London to learn piano tuning before setting up a music shop in Magdalen Street, Oxford, which survived until 1982.

At the time of the 1861 census, Thomas, 23, was described as a “pianoforte tuner” who traveled around Oxford with a pony and trap.

Robert Bleasdale, valuer at the auctioneers, said he bought the 15-inch long truncheon at a sale 18 months ago.

He said it was likely to have been given to special constables in recognition of their public service.

His company’s research shows Mr Taphouse was among the city’s best known organists and was once referred to as “one of the most modest and kind-hearted of men” by a journalist from The Musical Times.

Mr Bleasdale added: “In view of this truncheon’s history it would be wonderful if it ended up back in Oxford.

“It is strange that something so utilitarian should be turned into something which is almost a work of art.”

Oxford’s current Lord Mayor Mary Clarkson said: “Items like this build up a sense of belonging and pride in a place.”

Thames Valley Police spokesman Chris Kearney said: “We will contact the curator of the force museum in Sulhamstead to see if this is something that he would be interested in acquiring for the museum.”

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