Leicester Clock Tower
Number 65
November 2013 1
Leicester Freemen Christmas Cards available in packs of 6
Bill Hargrave, Chairman of the Board of Deputies, presenting cheque for the Lord Mayor’e Charity to Cllr. Ted Cassidy, High Bailiff 2
Number 65
November 2013
Patron: Colonel Robert Martin MBE DL President: The Lord Mayor of Leicester OFFICERS 2013 - 2014 Master: A. Chettle Deputy Master: M.E. Ayres Clerk: L.A. Roffee Chamberlain: M.B. Hill WARDENS L. Kirk, J.D. Lewitt, A. Marriott , B.W. Mudford, J.E. Tolton
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GILDHALL NEWS November 2013
Contents Editor’s comments
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Report by Tony Chettle, Master of the Gild
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Overdue subscriptions, Maurice Hill, Chamberlain of the Gild
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Report by Bill Hargrave, Chairman of the Board of Deputies
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Report on the FEW by Michael Ayres
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Future programme - dates for your diary Sunday 10th November, Remembrance Day Service at Victoria Park Friday 13th December, Visit to The Little Theatre to see Cinderella Friday 28th February 2014, Long-alley Skittles Night at the Coach & Horses Wednesday 16th April 2014, Common Hall (AGM) at Leicester Town Hall Saturday 14th June 2014, Annual Gild Banquet at Devonshire Place. Sunday 15th June 2014, Annual Freemen’s Service at the Leicester Cathedral
Contributions to the Gildhall News The History of the Freemen of Leicester - part 8 by John Tolton
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Leicester Freemen - WW1 Project by Lynn Roffee
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Searching for those who served in WW1 by Brian Mudford
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King Richard III visitor’s centre by Eileen Greenwood
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For Amusement Only Best true Lawyer story
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THe Zoo Keeper
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A few marriage jokes
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Have you changed your address?
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Forms included with the Newsletter Booking form for Long-alley Skittles Night on 28th February 2014 Renewal form for annual subscriptions Standing Order form for Annual Subscriptions Application for Membership & Associate Membership of the Gild Gild products order form 4
Editor’s Comments This year appears to be going very quick, the older you get the quicker it goes. As I am writing these comments Halloween is just around the corner and Bonfire night will soon be upon us. If you are thinking about Christmas presents then the new ladies Gild scarf and a set of Gild cuff-links for a gentleman family member could be a good start. In the last issue I asked what you thought the future of the Gildhall News should be. I was overwhelmed with your response, I received only one reply. May I thank the lady who replied, a couple of important points that she raised were that she looks forward to receiving her copy and hopes it will continue, and that she has no access to the website. I have made a note of the possible articles that she thinks will be of interest to the Freemen and will try to include them in future issues. If you have a story that would be of interest to other members, please put pen to paper, or finger to e-mail. We don’t need a book, only a short article, possibly one or two pages long. It could be longer if it’s enthralling!! Preferably I would like to receive them as an attachment to an e-mail if possible, but pen and ink is acceptable. And finally I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year.
Brian Mudford
Report by Tony Chettle, Master of the Gild Hello Everyone, Now the clocks have been altered we know that Autumn is well and truly here, and we can look forward to other events. The Gild has been invited by the Lord Mayor’s Office to be present at the Remembrance Day Service on November 10th as usual on Victoria Park. I will be laying a wreath on behalf of the Gild. Since my last report I have attended a Freemen’s Court (August 5th) at 5
the Town Hall, This took place in the Mayor’s Parlour because just two ladies were made free, there should have been two more Freedom Courts this year but these were cancelled due to lack of resources, the next Freedom Court is scheduled for January 2014. On August 22nd Freemen from the Gild attended a Choral Evensong to mark the death of King Richard 3rd at the Leicester Cathedral. I couldn’t attend this service as I was at a Three Guilds dinner in York, however Michael Ayres arranged for several Freemen to attend the Service and all went very well. On September 1st several Freemen and Partners, including myself, attended the Lord Mayor of Leicester’s Civic Service at the Leicester Cathedral, we managed a good turnout for a good service. On September 5th the High Sheriff of Leicestershire invited the Master of the Gild to a reception at her home, The Grange,East Langton. I was unable to attend and the Deputy Master, Michael Ayres, represented the Gild. September 6th (My Birthday) The Gild were invited to a skittles evening at Barnacle Village Hall, this was an invitation from the Coventry Freemen, eight Freemen and partners went along, and, as ever it was a very good night out. On September 13th I was the sole representative from the Leicester Gild at the FEW.AGM, this year held at Oxford. It was a very well organised weekend and enjoyed by all. It is always good to meet old and new friends from other Guilds. Michael Ayres and Jean also came over on the Saturday for the all important meetings and voting, he holds the block vote for the Leicester Gild. The Chester Freemen’s Banquet Weekend this year was held on October 11th to 15th. Four Leicester Gild Freemen and partners attended this year. It was good to see the Chester Guild getting back to normal, it turned out to be a very good weekend. My next report is due in January and so with my usual aplomb, it is too early for the usual seasonal pleasantries so I will wish you all that you wish yourselves and may it all come about to you and to yours. Best Wishes and Kind Regards to you all
Tony Chettle 6
Overdue Subscriptions I would like to thank all the Gild members who have brought their subscriptions up to date during the last few weeks because not only has this provided vital funds for the Gild but just as importantly in quite a few cases enabled me to enhance the membership records. There are a very small number of members who have not yet responded to my appeal and over the next few days I will be contacting them so that eventually I will be able to consider the task complete. Regarding the Membership records, please advise me if you have any change in circumstances such as change of address, telephone number, marital status (one lady member had got married and changed her surname with her records under her previous surname she had dropped off of our radar), if you are paying for both a member and an associate member please ensure that I have details of both. Finally if you have an Email address please send me an Email to mozjune@talktalk.net giving just your name and address and I will put your Email address into the records and also make sure the other details are correct.
Maurice Hill
Report by Chairman of the Board - Bill Hargrave On 11th August the Chairman’s Trophy was held at Freemen’s Holt. This is a patio garden competition and barbecue to recognise the floral achievements of residents. They participate in this annual celebration with prizes available for the best front garden, back garden, hanging basket, patio tub and allotment. The Chairman’s Trophy is awarded to the best overall display for both front and back patio gardens and everyone enjoys the barbecue afterwards. I was also pleased to welcome High Bailiff Councillor Ted Cassidy who attended the event in an informal capacity. He was presented with a cheque for £200 from the Board of Deputies for the Lord Mayor’s Charity. (See photo inside front cover) Eric Critchlow was the winner of the Chairman’s Trophy for 2013 making this a third successive award. The residents are hatching a plot 7
for a new winner for 2014 although no-one would deny that Eric’s patio garden was outstanding. Congratulations go to all our residents for their flower displays which have been a picture again this year. It makes the walk around the estate a real treat. Some photographs of the patio gardens and winners of various categories for the Chairman’s Trophy can be viewed on our website at www.leicesterfreemen.com and follow the link to Facebook. Work has started on the bungalow extension at No 27 and this will be ready for a new couple in the New Year. We do know of some people who are interested in this property but the bungalow will be allocated to the couple in most need at the time of appointment. If you are interested in moving into Freemen’s Holt please contact Lynda Bramley in the office on 0116 283 4017, email leicester.freemen@talktalkbusiness.net to request an application form for yourself or a family member. We have a schedule of entertainment planned through the winter with Freemen’s Flicks showing popular films alternating with Freemen’s Funtime which is a mixture of activities including a quiz, word games, bingo and a raffle. The emphasis is on fun with small prizes for the winners but everyone enjoys these afternoons which are held on Wednesday afternoons starting at 2pm in the community centre. Everyone is welcome to attend just call the office for more information or check the website for details. Southfields Brass Band is booked for the evening of Thursday 12th December. If you would like to hear some Christmas carols you are invited to come to Freemen’s Holt for around 7.30pm to start getting into the Christmas spirit. We are investigating the possibility of producing the next register of Freemen from the information held in the registers at the Town Hall. Maintaining the family names is of primary importance now the Ladies can also receive their Freedom. This is a project for 2014. The Making Free ceremonies may move towards being held just once a year so, if you’re thinking of applying for your Freedom of the City then get your application in quickly otherwise it could be several years before your big day comes around. The Gildhall News is for all Freemen and their families and should contain things of interest. What would you like to see in future editions? 8
Send us your inputs via email, traditional letter if you wish or via the “Contact Us” page of the website at www.leicesterfreemen.com. Don’t forget that there is now the option to receive your Gildhall News via email. Again please contact Lynda on leicester.freemen@talktalkbusiness.net to provide your email address. And finally I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year.
Bill Hargrave
Report on the FEW (Freemen of England and Wales) by Michael Ayres This year the Freemen of England and Wales AGM was hosted by the Freemen of the City of Oxford and held over the weekend of Friday 13th September, Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th. The Leicester Gild being represented by Tony Chettle, Master of the Gild, for the complete weekend and Michael Ayres attended for the meetings on Saturday. All the weekend events were held in St Catherine’s College. Commencing on the Friday afternoon at 2:00 pm for the checking in of the delegates. The Friday evening dinner served at 7:00 pm followed at 8:45 pm in the Lecture Theatre for a talk on the City of Oxford. Saturday morning started at 9:45 am with an Open Forum when all those tricky questions were asked which may have been of benefit to other Guilds. The AGM began at 11:00 am with the Lord Mayor of Oxford, Councillor Delia Sinclair opening the meeting. After the Lord Mayor retired from the meeting, the proceedings continued with the main point on the agenda, the Installation of the New President Gordon Vardell. (On behalf of the Leicester Gild we would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Gordon on his appointment as the New President.) The meeting closed at 12 30 pm. Lunch was then served at 1 00 pm. After lunch at 2:45 pm there was a most informative guided tour of the Colleges of Oxford. Saturday evening began at 7:30 pm with a pre Banquet Drinks Reception, before the four course Banquet at 8 00 pm. After the Loyal Toast and speeches the Banquet concluded at 10:30 pm. The Lounge 9
Bar remained open until 1:00 am with time to chat to old and new friends. After breakfast on Sunday morning, the delegates assembled for the robed procession to Balliol College for the FEW Church service. On the conclusion of the service the Procession reassembled and processed to the Town Hall for a Civic Reception. At 2:00 pm presentations were made to the Lord Mayor and to Oxford Freemen for hosting the weekend. The Chairman of Oxford Freemen then handed the baton to John Edwards, Freemen of Stafford, in preparation for the 2014 AGM in Stafford. The Deputy President Ronald Leek then gave the closing address to end the weekend meeting. The full report of the AGM weekend will be published in the FEW Journal no 176. If anyone requires a copy please contact myself on mickayres31@virginmedia.com Or the FEW Website: http://www.freemen-few.org.uk Individual Membership to the FEW is available to all Leicester Freemen by contacting the Membership Secretary Eileen Forth. At 88 Whitethorn Close. Huntington. York. YO3 9EU Michael Ayres
What to buy for Christmas? Are you having difficulty in deciding what to buy for Christmas presents? Why not consider one or some of the Gild products. We have quite a range in stock from pens to ties. We now have stocks of the new ladies scarves as illustrated in the last issue of the Gildhall News and elsewhere in this issue is a picture of our new Christmas Cards which are now available in packs of six. Don’t miss out on our very smart gent’s cufflinks and key rings or why not purchase a copy of the Freemen’s Register and discover if your ancestors are in it. Prices of all the products and how to order are in this issue. So do have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year Maurice Hill 10
Programme of Future Events Cinderella pantomime 13th December 2013 the Little Theatre Dover Street, Leicester Unfortunately we have no tickets available. Any spare tickets had to be returned to to the theatre by 1st November. If further tickets are required then interested parties should contact the Little Theatre directly on 0116 255 1302. Brian Mudford
Long-alley Skittles Night Friday 28th February 2014, arriving at 7.00pm Coach & Horses, Field Head, Markfield LE67 9RF Our Long-alley Skittles Night this year is again being held at The Coach and Horses, an Everards pub on the A50. Traditional skittles food will be served, there is a selection: Faggots, chips and peas, Steak & Ale Pie, chips and peas, and a Vegetable Lasagne, mixed salad and chips. Please indicate your selection on the booking form. The evening will be very relaxed as usual, there is a maximum capacity of 45, so don’t miss out and book without delay. The cost is only £8.00 each. Brian Mudford
Contributions to the Gildhall News ***************************** History of Freemen – Part 8 Leicester and its Government It has been previously mentioned that in the 12th century there were in Leicester two governing bodies, the Portmanmoot with its civil function and the Merchant Gild overseeing trade and commerce in Leicester. There was a gradual coalescing of their governmental power over a period of time and the merging of their differences into one united body was well advanced by the beginning of the reign of Edward III in 1327. 11
The bulk of the business of the portmanmoot had by the reign of Edward III transferred to the Mayor’s Sessions with only business of a minor nature retained. Recording conveyances and acting as a court for the recovery of small debts and as a court in which people who have suffered small injuries estimated at 40s or less obtain their compensation. The arrangement of market stalls was also considered the business of portmanmoot in the 14th century. There is a gap in the records of the borough between 1380 and 1457 and after that date there is no longer any reference to the portmanmoot. The Hall of the Gild of Merchants in which the ‘morning-speech’ had been held had been called variously Gildhall, Mayor’s Hall, Moot Hall and finally Common Hall. Such phrases as town council or councilors had not yet come into use and terms such as ‘Mayor and his Brethren’ or ‘Brethren of the Bench’ were frequently used. What was known as the ‘Jurats’ in the 14th century became the Brethren of the Bench’ in the 15th century, although the number (24) remained the same. Evidence of supremacy of the Gild over the portmanmoot can be found in a local rule which refers to the unfranchised being excluded from common hall meetings. That is a reference to inhabitants of Leicester who had not bought or inherited membership of the Gild who had previously been permitted to attend meetings of the portmanmoot, or indeed the common hall before the date of the new rule. Prior to this ruling non members would turn up in large numbers at common hall when the debate was about the election of Mayor and the borough officers and when the question of the borough rate was in debate. The argument used by the burgesses to justify exclusion of non freemen meetings included ‘headiness’, little intelligence and a small stake in the interests of the borough which made the unfranchised unfit to take a share of the government of the town. This exclusion was later extended to include all gild members except those that be of the forty eight.
The Twenty Four and the Forty Eight As far back as the 13th century records go there has been a council consisting of a Mayor and 24 Jurats or Brethren, but in neither the 14th or 15th century is there any hint that the 24 owes its existence to an election. There are lists of the elected officers but not the brethren. Even allowing for the number of excluded non gildsmen from attending meetings there were a number of burgesses and other gild members 12
enjoying the privilege of attending meetings as observers and shouting out their disapproval at decisions made. In 1489 the mass of the burgesses in their turn lost the power to attend meetings. By order from Henry VII the powers of the gildsmen to attend and voice their opinions at meetings were removed and transferred to 48 of their number. This body of 48 was not to be elected by the gildsmen at large but by the existing government of the Mayor and 24 Burgesses and any vacancy arising in the 48 was filled by a burgess of the 24’s choice. The lack of democracy was exacerbated by the restriction of filling vacancies in the 24 from only the 48 and not from the burgesses at large. This meant that the whole government of Leicester was in the hands of just 72 burgesses including the election of members of parliament with no voting powers what so ever for the remaining gild members in Leicester. The alleged purpose of the change which excluded the common burgesses was to avoid the disturbances that had occurred in the past at the election of Mayor and members of parliament and at meetings to carry out the business of governing Leicester. This change was intended to restore ‘good rule and substantial order’. It would seem that the twenty four were left with the vaguest of instructions as to how they should use the forty eight and on what occasions it was necessary to obtain the consent of the larger body before acting in the name of the whole community. As happens in today’s local government the 24 and 48 formed committees for specific function and the committee members were from both groups. But as it was in the power of the 24 to replace any troublesome member of the 48 without reference to anyone else it is easy to imagine that the power of government remained with the Mayor and his 24 brethren. In the early years of local government in Leicester the town was divided into four quarters named after the four gates for the purpose of borough rate and policing but in 1484 twelve wards were created under twelve aldermen. Only those sitting on the bench of 24 could be elected as alderman and each had the power to punish those who disturbed the peace in their ward and to punish householders who did not repair and keep clean the pavement before their houses. The aldermen could work independently and would only refer offences to the Mayor and the brethren if the offender did not resist the punishment. 13
The system of local government by the brethren of 24 and 48 continued up to the reign of Elizabeth I when great changes took place, but more of that in the next Gildhall News.
John Tolton
Leicester Freemen - WW1 project You will be aware from the previous Gild Hall News, and the Leicester Freemen’s Website, that we have a project that aims to compile as much detail about Leicester Freemen who served during WW1. There is no list of Leicester Freemen that shows who these men were, other than if a man was serving when he took the Freedom. This is shown in the Freedom Rolls and this has been used as a starting point. To date we have over 30 names of men who served and we want to increase that to 100 by next July. We have some way to go and need your help. If you have the name/s of any Leicester Freemen who served, we will try our best to find out medal record details at the very least. A lot of service records were destroyed during the blitz in WW2, so there is no guarantee we can find their attestation and/or pension records. What we would like is stories of your ancestors so that we have more personal information to add to what records may be available and accessible to the public. If you have undertaken your own research and want to let us have the details, so much the better. I’m sure you may have seen the Freemen’s website (see Tracing) which shows three names that have been provided by two Freemen – John Tolton and Paul Ross. Both John and Paul have generously given permission for us to share letters, notes and information etc. Small snippets of information have been taken from these letters and notes and give a small insight into a moment of time in the men’s lives. Further details will be displayed next August. It is hoped that this will give you all encouragement to participate in any way that you can. This can include: ·
Providing the names of your ancestors (plus any other information, service number, regiment, photograph, letters, diaries memorabilia etc. or writing a story about what information has been passed down about your ancestor.
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Help us with researching or checking the information we have found to ensure accuracy 14
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Researching for photos of the regimental badges and or details of the regiments in which the men served, in particular the location of these regiments.
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Helping us plot, on a map, where the men were serving France, Belgium etc.
For this to be a success we need your help, and in addition to providing us with names of your ancestors, you can also practically get involved. By pooling our information, knowledge and time, we can ensure that this information is available for future generations.
Frequently asked questions ! I’d like to be involved but I have never done anything like this before. Answer: Not a problem, neither have we. What’s more important is that you want to help and get involved. We can discuss and agree with you what you can do.
! I don’t really know much about WW1 so I won’t be much help. Answer: You don’t need to know that much, more importantly a willingness to help with various tasks is needed during the next few months.
! I would like to get involved but I don’t live local. Answer: Not a problem, you don’t need to live local or indeed in the UK to participate. It would help if you have IT access, but then again, it depends on what you can do and want to do. Please give Lynda Bramley a call/email and discuss.
! My great grandfather served but I don’t have his details. Answer: No problem. If you have his name and where he lived e.g. Leicester or that he served in the Dorset Regiment we can still have a look and see what we can find. Obviously, the more information the better. Please give Lynda Bramley a call/or email to discuss.
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! I work so don’t have much free time Answer: No problem. Please give Lynda Bramley/or email a call to discuss.
! I have a great aunt who was a nurse in WW1; her father/brother was a Freeman though. Answer: Not a problem. We want to know about anyone involved in the war work especially women, if they were families of Leicester Freemen.
! I have some ideas about how to display and set up the information. Answer: Great, please get in touch.
! I can cook and sew, any use? Answer: Yes absolutely, we are planning a couple of events to display the information we have obtained, one for 5th August 2014 and possibly the Saturday before or after and want to provide a few sandwiches, cake and tea etc. As for sewing please get in touch. What next? Please look through your photos, papers documents, jog memories and call/email Lynda Bramley. We need and want your support! Thank you Lynn Roffee
Searching for those who served in WW1 When I was looking through my Family History records to see if any relative had served in WW1 I came upon the following: Harry Thomas Mudford, my g.grandfather, married Lucy Stretton at St. Luke’s church in Leicester on the 3rd August 1879. On the marriage certificate it was stated that he was a 20 year old Tin plate worker living at 152A Humberstone Road, and Lucy was 19 years old living at 29 Providence Place. Lucy’s father Thomas Stretton was listed as a Sock manufacturer. Henry Thomas Mudford was made free on 13th February 1891. 16
The second son of Harry Thomas and Lucy was born on 21st May 1883 and was named Walter Mudford, he was baptised the following month on the 13th June at St. Luke’s church, when his parents were living at 98 Wheat Street in Leicester. As Walter was born before his father became free he was unable to become a Leicester Freeman. Harry Thomas did not have any further sons that lived to adulthood. In 1909, when he was 26 years old, Walter married 27 year old Ada Lycett on the 2nd August at St. Stephen’s church in Leicester. On their marriage certificate they were both listed as living at 53 Green Lane Road,Leicester, Walter being shown as an Assistant Warden. In the 1911 census Walter and Ada Mudford had moved to Magdala Street, Ladywood, Birmingham, Warwickshire, where Walter was working as a Warder grade 2 - Prison Dept. They now had a 9 months old daughter named Ada Olive Mudford. Unfortunately Walter was killed in action at the start of the first World War age 31. He was a Bombardier in the Royal Marine Artillery serving on HMS Good Hope which was sunk by gunfire of German cruisers SCHARNHORST and GNEISENAU, off Coronel, Chile on Sunday 1st November 1914. HMS Good Hope was built in 1901, at a cost of just over one million pounds. It was a 14,100 tons Cruiser with a complement of 900. It had two 9.2” guns, sixteen 6” guns, a dozen 12 pounders, HMS Good Hope and three 3 pounders. His widow Ada re-married four years later, at the end of 1918, to Luther Hawley in West Bromich.
Brian Mudford
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King Richard III Visitor Centre by Eileen Greenwood On the 12 October 2013 I attended the Annual School Reunion Lunch for Ex-Newtonienne’s at Devonshire Place. in Leicester This was really a special occasion as Sarah Levitt Head of the Arts and Museums Service gave a short talk about the new King Richard III visitor centre. Last year, Leicester City Council bought the 150-year-old former Alderman Newton School building, which is right next to the Greyfriars grave site, with a view to breathing new life into the building as a King Richard III visitor experience. We were informed that the Leicester petition to have King Richard III buried in Leicester had more signatures than the one in York. So hopefully the Centre will encourage people to go into the Cathedral to see the grave. If King Richard is not buried in Leicester it was felt that the visitor centre would still be of interest as there are plans to include the excavated grave site as part of the exhibition. The plans include a function room which will accommodate groups of people such as school groups. The plans for the centre so far (for those of you who are familiar with the building) are for a glass linked building and ticketing from the double gates in the playground leading into the original classrooms on the ground floor. There will be a display of modern Leicester and also what it looked like in 1485. The first floor will display information on the scientific aspect i.e. the D.N.A testing. There will also be a cafeteria on the site. There are plans for the playground to be a grassy courtyard and also to give a cloister effect. The building itself is of interest. The School hall was built first and is in the style of Gothic revival. They have excavated the tracery of the Church and it is the same as the school. You should be able to see the layout of the old Friary on the site of the exhibition. The playgrounds were on the site of Alderman Herrick’s garden and history tells us that there was a monument to Richard III in the garden and the remains of
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the monument have been found. The classrooms were on the site of the old Chancel. There are plans to open the centre in May 2014. It has been suggested that pupils from both the Boys and Girls schools will be able to view the centre before it is open to the general public.
Eileen Greenwood Editor’s note: The e-petition ‘Keep Richard III remains in Leicester’ signed recently reached 34,435 signatures and a response has been made to it. As this e-petition has received more than 10 000 signatures, the relevant Government department have provided the following response: The Secretary of State grants licences to exhume buried human remains under Section 25 of the Burial Act 1857. Around 200 licences are issued each year for archaeological purposes. On 3 September 2012 the Ministry of Justice granted a licence to Leicester University to exhume human remains found during the excavation of a Leicester car park. The excavation was primarily to investigate a Franciscan friary but also to locate the remains of King Richard III who, evidence suggested, was buried there in 1485. The University carried out a series of tests on the remains and on 4 February 2013 announced that one set was those of King Richard III “beyond reasonable doubt”. The MoJ licence prescribes that the remains should, no later than 31 August 2014, be deposited at Jewry Wall Museum or be reinterred at St Martin’s Cathedral or in a burial ground in which interments may legally take place; and that in the meantime they should be kept safely, privately and decently by the University of Leicester. The University intends to reinter Richard III’s remains at St Martin’s Cathedral in Leicester. The Secretary of State for Justice and the University are currently defending a judicial review of the decision to grant the exhumation licence to the University of Leicester. This judicial review touches on the question of where Richard III should be reinterred. It would be inappropriate to comment further while the judicial review is ongoing.”
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BEST TRUE LAWYER STORY OF THE YEAR, DECADE AND POSSIBLY THE CENTURY This took place in Charlotte, North Carolina. A lawyer purchased a box of very rare and expensive cigars, then insured them against, among other things, fire. Within a month, having smoked his entire stockpile of these great cigars, the lawyer filed a claim against the insurance company. In his claim, the lawyer stated the cigars were lost ‘in a series of small fires.’ The insurance company refused to pay, citing the obvious reason, that the man had consumed the cigars in the normal fashion. The lawyer sued - and WON! Delivering the ruling, the judge agreed with the insurance company that the claim was frivolous. The judge stated nevertheless, that the lawyer held a policy from the company, in which it had warranted that the cigars were insurable and also guaranteed that it would insure them against fire, without defining what is considered to be unacceptable ‘fire’ and was obligated to pay the claim. Rather than endure lengthy and costly appeal process, the insurance company accepted the ruling and paid $15,000 to the lawyer for his loss of the cigars that perished in the ‘fires’. NOW FOR THE BEST PART... After the lawyer cashed the check, the insurance company had him arrested on 24 counts of ARSON!!! With his own insurance claim and testimony from the previous case being used against him, the lawyer was convicted of intentionally burning his insured property and was sentenced to 24 months in jail and a $24,000 fine. This true story won First Place in last year’s Criminal Lawyers Award contest.
The Zoo Keeper He starts his new job at the zoo and is given three tasks. First is to clear the exotic fish pool of weeds. As he does this a huge fish jumps out and bites him. To show who is boss, he beats it to death with a 20
spade. Realizing his employer won’t be best pleased he disposes of the fish by feeding it to the lions, as lions will eat anything. Moving on to the second job of clearing out the Chimp house, he is attacked by the chimps who pelt him with coconuts. He swipes at two chimps with a spade killing them both. What can he do? Feed them to the lions, he says to himself, because lions eat anything. He hurls the corpses into the lion enclosure. He moves on to the last job which is to collect honey from the South American Bees. As soon as he starts he is attacked by the bees. He grabs the spade and smashes the bees to a pulp. By now he knows what to do and shovels them into the lions cage because lions eat anything. Later that day a new lion arrives at the zoo. He wanders up to another lion and says “What’s the food like here?” The lions say: “Absolutely brilliant, today we had Fish and Chimps with Mushy Bees.
A few marriage jokes WIFE: “There is trouble with the car. It has water in the carburetor.” HUSBAND: “Water in the carburetor? That’s ridiculous “ WIFE: “I tell you the car has water in the carburetor.” HUSBAND: “You don’t even know what a carburetor is. I’ll check it out. Where’s the car? WIFE: “In the pool” Husband and wife had a tiff. Wife called up her mom and said, “He fought with me again, I am coming to live with you.” Mom said, “No darling, he must pay for his mistake. I am coming to live with you!
A newly married man asked his wife, ‘Would you have married me if my father hadn’t left me a fortune?’ ’Honey,’ the woman replied sweetly, ‘I’d have married you, NO MATTER WHO LEFT YOU A FORTUNE!’
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Have you changed your address ? In the event that is necessary to inform the Gild or the Board of any change in circumstances then the information should be sent to: Lynda Bramley Clerk to the Board Leicester Freemen’s Estate 32 Freemen’s Holt Old Church Street Aylestone Leicester LE2 8NH Telephone: 0116 – 283 4017 E-mail: leicester.freemen@talktalkbusiness.net Leicester Freemen web site: www.leicesterfreemen.com
Copy for the next issue should reach the Editor by th Friday 17 January 2014 For your News and Views write to : Brian Mudford 11 Huntsman Close Markfield Leicestershire LE67 9XE Telephone 01530 245414 e-mail: brianmudford@tiscali.co.uk
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Eric Critchlow, winner of the Chairman’s Trophy for 2013, in his award winning front garden at Freemen’s Holt
Two sisters, Mrs Hannah Askham on the left from Kirby Muxloe. Leicestershire and Mrs Parveti Wood from Ohio, USA , together with their father Peter Barrett enjoying the Master of the Gild’s welcome speech at their making free ceremony on the 5th August 2013. 23
A group photograph of the delegates attending the Freemen of England & Wales AGM and Banquet weekend in Oxford in September 2013. The Master of the Gild of Freemen of the City of Leicester , Tony Chettle, represented the Gild. He can be seen standing at the right on the back row.
BOOKING FORM
Long-alley Skittles Night at the Coach & Horses @ 7pm Friday 28th February 2014 Please reserve ………. places at £8.00 each Food selection: Faggots______Steak pie________Lasagne________ My name is.........……………………………………...………………………………. My address is………………………………….....……………………………………. …………………………………………………………………………. Postcode……………………….Telephone……………………………. e-mail address..................................................................................................... I enclose a cheque/postal order for £…………….., made payable to “Gild of Leicester Freemen”. Please send to: Maurice Hill, 33 Mossdale Road, Kingsway, Leicester LE3 2UT. Tel: 0116 2895394 Applications will be dealt with on a first-come, first-served basis
RENEWAL OF GILD MEMBERSHIP FOR THE YEAR 1ST APRIL 2013 - 31ST MARCH 2014 I would like to pay the annual subscription for my membership/associate membership of the Gild for the year commencing 1st April 2013
Membership
.............at £9.00
= £.............
Associate Membership
..............at £6.00
= £.............
My name is (BLOCK CAPITALS).................................................... My address is (BLOCK CAPITALS) ......................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................... Post code...........................Telephone............................................. e-mail address................................................................................. I enclose a cheque/postal order for £................... made payable to “Gild of Leicester Freemen” Please post to: Maurice Hill, 33 Mossdale Road, Kingsway, Leicester LE3 2UT Any queries, please phone Maurice on 0116 2895394 PLEASE NOTE: IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PAY YOUR ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION BY STANDING ORDER, PLEASE SEE OVER PAGE.
GILD OF LEICESTER FREEMEN (Kindly complete where marked by all dotted lines) To: Maurice Hill, 33 Mossdale Road, Kingsway, Leicester LE3 2UT Date………………………………..20.….. I, ………………………………………………..agree to pay my Annual Subscription to the GILD OF LEICESTER FREEMEN on 1st April each year by means of the signed Standing Order that I have sent to my bank. I understand that the annual subscriptions at present are £9.00 for a full member and £6.00 for an associate member, and that I can stop or amend this Standing Order simply by giving instructions to my bank. Signature………………………………………………………. Address………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………… Post code……………………………………………….
e-mail address...................................................................
STANDING ORDER - PLEASE SEND TO YOUR BANK MANAGER To: The Manager…………………………………………..Bank PLC Address ……....………………………………………………….. ……………………………………………………... ………………………………………………........... Postcode…………………………………………… Please pay to:Lloyds Bank TSB Bank PLC, Old Market Square Branch, Nottingham NG1 6FD (Bank Sort Code 30-96-18) For the account of the Gild of Leicester Freemen (Account No. 01409164) the sum of £………………. Commencing on 1st April 20.…, and yearly thereafter until further notice. Kindly make the payment with reference …………………………………(my surname and initial). Name of account to be debited....……………………………..….. Account No.........…………………………………………………. Signature………………………………………………………… Date
………………………………………………….20.….
Address .…………………………………………………………. .........……………………………………………………. ..…………………………………………………………. Postcode………………………………………………....
GILD OF FREEMEN OF THE CITY OF LEICESTER APPLICATION FOR FULL MEMBERSHIP
Full Name______________________________________________ (BLOCK LETTERS)
Address_____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________
Post Code ________________Tel No. _______________________ e-mail address__________________________________________ I am a duly sworn Freeman of the City of Leicester and apply to be enrolled as a Member of the Gild of Freemen, for which I enclose the sum of £10.00 (Enrolment fee of £1.00 plus the first annual subscription of £9.00).
Signature
Date APPLICATION FOR ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP
Full Name______________________________________________ (BLOCK LETTERS)
Address ___________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ Post Code __________________Tel No. ____________________ e-mail address__________________________________________ I certify that I am the SPOUSE / WIDOW / WIDOWER / SON / DAUGHTER / GRANDCHILD aged 18 years or over (please delete where necessary) of Mr. / Mrs./ Ms. _____________________________________(Freeman of Leicester) Or I am a full member of the Guild of Freemen of_________________(City or Town) I apply to be enrolled as an Associate Member of the Gild, for which I enclose the sum of £7.00 (Enrolment Fee of £1.00 plus the first Annual Subscription of £6.00) Signature___________________________________________Date_____________ Please make cheques payable to ‘Gild of Leicester Freemen’ and send with this application to Maurice Hill, 33 Mossdale Road, Kingsway, Leicester LE3 2UT
THE GILD OF FREEMEN OF THE CITY OF LEICESTER GILD PRODUCTS ORDER FORM 1. Tie
- navy
………at £10.00 each
= £………….
- maroon
………at £10.00 each
= £………….
- green
………at £10.00 each
= £………….
- two ties (state colours) ...……at £19.00 two
= £………….
- three ties
…...…at £27.50 three
= £………….
2. Gild scarf
...........at £15.00 each
= £................
3. Key-ring
………at £5.00 each
= £………….
4. Lapel badge
………at £2.50 each
= £………….
5. Cufflinks
..........at £16.00 each
= £………….
………at £3.00 each
= £………….
…...…at £55.00 each
= £………….
.....….at £20.00 each
= £………….
8. Blazer badge
.........at £13.50 each
=£..............
9. Wall plaque, wooden
…..…at £24.00 each
= £………….
6. Gild pens
- new design
7. Arm badge - framed - unframed
10. Gown, made to measure, incl. delivery........price on request = £…………. (Chest ..........ins, height..........ft...........ins). 11. Register of Freemen- 1931-85
………at £4.00 each
= £………….
- 1986-96
………at £3.00 each
= £………….
...........at £6.00 for 6
= £...............
12. Christmas cards
TOTAL
= £…………. plus postage
I enclose cheque/postal order for the above total, made payable to: “GILD OF LEICESTER FREEMEN” NAME…………………………………………………………………………………….. ADDRESS………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………. POST CODE…………………………… E-MAIL ADDRESS:........................................................................................ Signed………………………………………………………………………………………. Please post to: Maurice Hill, 33 Mossdale Road, Kingsway, Leicester LE3 2UT Tel: 0116 2895394