High Wycombe is a town located in Buckinghamshire just 29 miles west-north-west of London with a population of around 120,256. Wycombe is an industrial city and has also been a market town since medieval times with buildings dating back to the 18th and 19th century. High Wycombe is the only place in the world where it is custom to weigh its majors; which is a traditional ceremony of the town since the medieval period. The mayor is weighed at the beginning and end of their serving year. This is a public event in order to see whether or not they have gained weight at the taxpayers’ expense.
Wycombe used to be known for furniture making and today even the town’s football team is nicknamed the ‘Chairbosys’. However the town is now known for industries including the production of paper and clothing. Companies such as the tobacco papers and filters company, Swan and the office furniture provider, Verco, are also situated in the industrial area of the Cressex district (south west of the town centre).
