Gavel Bashing

I went to the Town Council meeting on Tuesday evening (11 November) and was just dropping off, when I was woken by the Mayor frantically banging his gavel.

That’s gavel as in one of those little hammers that judges are supposed to use (although in fact in the UK they don’t!) rather than The Gavel as in the place.

Gavel

Perhaps the Mayor’s use of the gavel showed his displeasure! But about what? Answers on a postcard please.