The Charter for the Incorporation of Bacup Borough was signed on August 22nd 1882 and preparations were commenced to elect a new Municipal council. The old Local Board put its house in order and held it's last meeting on October 30th 1882.  On November 1st the first Municipal elections took place. At the first meeting of the newly elected town council on November 9th 1882 Mr. Hargreaves was elected to be Bacup's first Mayor and Alderman of the Greens ward. In 1885 Councillor James Smith Sutcliffe J.P. presented the Mayoral chain to the borough and in the same year the Mayoral robe was presented by Councillor Miles Ashworth. A new mayors robe was presented in 1953  to replace the  old one. In 1919 the council decided to convert Stubylee Hall, the former home of the late Mr James Maden Holt, into municipal offices. By 1920 most of the municipal offices had been transferred to Stubylee.The Mayoral chain was a gift to the borough by Mr J.T.Hoyle J.P.C.C during his mayoralty in 1922. Two halberds for ceremonial use in Mayoral processions were presented by Local Freemasons to Alderman J.H.Maden J.P, during his mayoralty for himself and his predecessors. Other Mayors of the Bacup Borough were..... Stubylee Hall became the town hall. Mr Hodges, Mr James Heyworth 1882 - 1894. Mr James Heyworth was a printer and served his apprenticeship with Mr Brown. When the local board was formed he applied for and was accepted as the nuisance inspector. A few years later Mr Wright resigned his position as clerk to the board and Mr Heyworth again applied and was accepted as the new clerk.  Mr Heyworth died on April 9th 1894 aged 58 years. Mr R Hyde 1894 - 1899. Mr W L Brown 1899 - 1900. Mr A Blasdale Clarke 1900 - 1907. Mr Joseph Entwistle 1907 - 1920. Mr A. G. Broom 1920 - 1928. Mr H Isherwood 1928 - 1929. Mr P. J. Hodges 1929 - 1932 Mr G Hetherington 1932 Mr Heyworth. Hetherington Town Clerks Of The Borough. 1882 -  1932. Bacups Coat Of Arms. The armoural description is as follows: ARMS: Azure on a Fesse between two Bales of Cotton in chief Or and a Block of Stone with Lewis attached in base proper a Fleece Sable between two Bees volant of the third in the centre chief point a Squirrel sejant of the second. CREST: On a Wreath of the Colours in front of a Bale of Cotton Or a Stag [proper] gorged with a Collar Vair and resting the dexter forefoot on a Trefoil slipped Gold. Motto: HONOR ET INDUSTRIA - Honour and industry. Granted: 13th March 1883.