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The Master's New Year Message

I am sure that 2020 will never be forgotten! Things continued as they would have done – celebrating family Birthdays including my 60th, visits and holidays abroad (before March!) and in the UK, the sad deaths of family and friends including my father, working (which is teaching for me), retirement, and, for me, leading church services – but all were very different than anticipated! However there were many new things to do and enjoy – days out, walking everywhere, discovering new local areas, discovering and supporting local businesses, enjoying the garden and eating outside during the fantastic summer, and telephoning, Face Timing, and Zooming friends, and home cooking. The downside has been the growing waistline!

I never thought that I would be sending a New Year message still under pandemic restrictions, with people still working from home, social events banned, and people still unfortunately falling ill from coronavirus. But the good news is that there is a vaccine and I hope that many of you have been offered, and taken the opportunity, to have it to protect yourself, and others. The vaccine also gives hope that we will be able to soon hold events again.

Over the Christmas period I, along with many others, have had time to review and reflect on 2020. What a year! Since my installation as Master, there may not have been any face-to-face events, but we have been very active as a Guild. We have moved quickly and efficiently in our practice to use various ways of communicating, such as Zoom for regular Court and Committee meetings, regular Newsletters, and for the most elderly and vulnerable, phone calls from the Master or Court members! It was wonderful to look back on the many and varied virtual events we have held, the highlight of which had to be bestowing an Honorary Membership on Captain Sir Tom Moore, and the fun and fellowship we have enjoyed over Zoom whilst quizzing, finding treasure, whisky and gin tasting, having tea with the Lord Mayor, listening to informative talks, and even walking the streets of London! Our thanks must go to our fantastic Clerk, Christine Cook, and our fabulous Assistant Clerk, Judith Westall, without whom none of this would have been possible.

Now, I must turn to a sad but exciting announcement. Today, we say ‘hello’ to Jeremy Cross as our new Clerk, which means we are also sadly saying ‘goodbye’ to our Clerk, Christine Cook. As you know, Christine decided to retire this year, always part of her plan, but still a shock and surprise. Christine has been an outstanding Clerk, bringing the Guild up to date with our use of technology, processes, governance and communications, to name but a few, over her four years in post. Booking events online, regular updating of the website, being flexible in all situations, supporting the Court and members - nothing has been too much effort, and all has been conducted with a sense of humour and a winning smile. Christine will be much missed, and we have so much for which to thank her. I am sure that we will see Christine again, but in the meantime, she has kindly agreed to continue to work in the Office to support Jeremy for as long as is needed. From the bottom of all our hearts, we thank Christine for all she has done for The Guild.

Jeremy joins us from the Insurance Recruitment sector where he has worked for over 30 years. He is a Liveryman so has an insight into the workings of the City. Jeremy says that he has ‘big shoes to fill’ but I am sure that he will soon find his feet and be welcomed by us all as he leads us forward on the next exciting chapter in the story of the Guild. We wish him, and his family, well and extend a warm welcome to them all!

Being ever the optimist, I am looking forward to seeing you in person, during 2021, and online by Zoom, at the many events we have planned. Whatever, twists and turns occur in the future, it is wonderful to be part of such a friendly, warm and supportive organisation. So, it remains for me to raise a virtual glass and wish you all a very Healthy and Happy New Year!

Ann- Marie Jefferys
Master 2020-2021

Welcome to the Guild of Freemen of the City of London

CORONAVIRUS UPDATE 29th April 2020
We continue to review the programme of events and will update members as necessary about cancelled and postponed events. Please look at the Events page to see the status of each event.


Welcome to the Guild
The Guild of Freemen of the City of London is a large association of almost 2000 members with a special interest in the City.

All Freemen are welcome to join, whether or not they belong to a Livery Company. Our members are men and women from all backgrounds, with a wide variety of interests. Our social programme is the City’s most extensive, and includes events with privileged access for Guild members, as well as opportunities to dine in some of London’s finest Livery Halls and at our Guildhall Banquet. Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal is an Honorary Member of the Guild and, while our Centenary Master in 2008, attended the Banquet as well as many other events during her year.

On this site you can find information about our organisation, our charitable activities and the 30 or so social and educational events that we run for our members every year.

We are currently offering a special opportunity for members to invite a prospective member to a Guild event and enjoy the event for half price. We will offer a warm welcome, and in return hope that the prospective member will join the Guild. There are up to 20 of these special tickets available on a first-come first-served basis and can be applied to any Guild event in 2020, apart from holidays. Please contact the Clerk to apply for these special tickets so that she can be sure to follow up with the prospective member.


Upcoming Events View All Events

Reception and Supper Apothecaries' Hall RESCHEDULED IN 2021

Wednesday 30th June 2021

THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED FROM 2021. DETAILS TO BE FIRMED UP

To commemorate the 200th anniversary of the birth of......continue reading

Event Information >

City Walk - City Gardens (1) RESCHEDULED IN 2021

Tuesday 20th July 2021

THIS EVENT HAS BEEN BROUGHT FORWARD FROM 2020. 

Once again, our City Walks will be led by Peter Tompkins, who is......continue reading

Event Information >

Reception, Dinner and Cruise on the Regents Canal (1) RESCHEDULED IN 2021

Friday 10th September 2021

THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED FROM 2020

The Master celebrates a significant birthday this summer and her Consort would like you......continue reading

Event Information >

Holiday to Malta RESCHEDULED IN 2021

Wednesday 29th September 2021

THIS HOLIDAY HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED FROM 2020

Malta was awarded the George Cross after the sacrifice made by the Maltese people......continue reading

Event Information >

Reception and Supper Trinity House RESCHEDULED IN 2021

Wednesday 20th October 2021

THIS DINNER HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED FROM 2021

It is a privilege to hold a Reception and Supper at the Grade I......continue reading

Event Information >

Annual Banquet - Guildhall RESCHEDULED IN 2021

Wednesday 1st December 2021

THE 2020 BANQUET HAS BEEN POSTPONED AND THE 2021 BANQUET HAS BEEN SET FOR WEDNESDAY 1ST DECEMBER 2021

The most glittering......continue reading

Event Information >

Our Members

"" 

Annual Banquet at Guildhall

"A veritable tour de force; stunning atmosphere, seriously impressive food and a funny judge..what’s not to like!
Well done everyone" - Mrs J.D.

"A triumph" - Mr A.W."

"..a brilliant evening at Guildhall last night. The event was spectacular and we, our guests and everyone around us enjoyed it tremendously. A great highlight of a fantastic year" - Mr J.H.

"A magnificent evening was had by all" - Mr K.B.

"It really was the most wonderful and unforgettable evening " - Mrs K.J.

"It was a great privilege to be present of Friday evening on such a splendid occasion.  What a truly stunning and memorable evening. The organisation, the pageantry and the attention to detail was remarkable. A and I enjoyed it all enormously" - C H.C.


Master's Final Dinner at Fishmongers' Hall
"Just a line to say how much we enjoyed the dinner last night, super seat thank you! Please convey our thanks to the Master for a wonderful evening, superb food and company and thank him for all his events over the past year, we have had great times.
We now look forward to the next year, different venues and events." - Mr P.B.

Reception and Supper at Grocers' Hall
"My guests and I really really enjoyed the Ceremony and the dinner at Grocers’ Hall last evening, I am still on a high with sheer pleasure, you, everyone there so kind and welcoming". Mrs A R

"It was good to meet you at last and on such an excellent evening in one of the nicest Livery Halls in the City.  Thank you for making it such a special evening for M and me.   It was so well organised and enjoyable.   The food was first class and the company good as well". Mr D B

RNLI Demonstration and Supper at the Little Ship Club
"Thank you SO much for arranging a most enjoyable evening. Once again, I was able to catch up on friends and make new acquantainces - all thanks to you for the excellent place settings.  The weather was kind to us, the food was amazing and everybody around our table was very happy with the service and the meal."  Ms V H

"Following the interesting demonstration Guild Members and their guests retired back inside the Little Ship Club for a stunning two-course supper with some excellent wine and tremendous companionship discussing the RNLI’s great work being achieved on the tidal Thames.​" Mr D K
 
 

 

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Guild News View All News

Virtual Meet the Clerk

Published - Monday 11th January 2021

The Master would like to thank the Court and Members for an excellent turnout for Monday night’s inaugural meet the......continue reading

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Jeremy Cross Appointed as Clerk

Published - Monday 4th January 2021

The Master is delighted to welcome the Guild's new Clerk, Jeremy Cross, who took up his post on 4th January......continue reading

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Festive Quizgo Bingo

Published - Tuesday 22nd December 2020


The Festive Quizgo Bingo on Thursday, 17th of December, was a pleasant break from the Christmas preparations. Most of the......continue reading

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