Stafford Burgesses now have a Facebook presence at https://www.facebook.com/groups/660332934085392/

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The Annual Burgesses Meeting was held in the Walton Room of Stafford Borough Council on Monday 15th January 2018 starting at 7.30 p.m.
These meetings are open to all burgesses.

(For agendas and minutes of this meetin plus previous minutes click here)

The Annual Dinner was held on Friday 26th January at Tillington Hall. Thanks largely to Ray Spurway, it was a
great social success. Sadly the meal was not up to the usual standard, so complaints have been made.

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Once again the Guild and the Trustees decorated Christmas Trees at St Mary's Church.

Thanks to all who helped with these superb displays.

There was a Swearing-in Court on 22nd November 2017 when eight new burgesses were admitted by the Mayor, Councillor Aiden Godfrey.

We welcome these new burgesses.

The Guild AGM took place on 21st November - to read the Master's Report Click Here.

The Guild took part in the annual Remembrance service and parade and a wreath was laid by the master.

Stafford Burgesses were pleased to participate in the Mayor-making Ceremony and Parade on 13th May 2017

Please ensure that we have your latest e-mail if you did not receive this information.

We are pleased to inform you that one of our number, Claire Spurway, had a very successful trip to South Korea to
participate in the world Masters Athletic Championships.

She obtained a Bronze, a Silver and a Gold Medal in three sprint categories. We offer our congratulations.

She is seen in the picture with members of the Guild Council, who were able to provide some modest sponsorship.

The Annual Meeting of Burgesses to review the work of the Trustees and make new appointments' was held
on Monday 16th January 2017 in the Walton Room of the Stafford Borough Council, Riverside, Stafford.
The meeting was chaired by the Mayor of Stafford, Councillor Geoff Collier.

For the Agenda and minutes of previous meetings click here

FOR THE SOCIAL, CIVIC AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROGRAMME (Click here)

For a quick summary of the Burgesses' organisation, activities and responsibilities click here
To learn more about Stafford Burgesses click the links below.

This Guild of Burgesses, (or Freemen), is a historic and ancient body committed to the County Town of Staffordshire:
The Borough of Stafford

2017

A contingent from Stafford Guild attended the FEW Court Meeting at the Guildhall in Henley-in-Arden on Saturday 18h March 2017. Five members: Phill Kinnersley, Ant Piddock, Brian Piddock, Ray Spurway and John Edwards, (in his role as Warden for the North Midlands), can be seen in the Photographs. The President of FEW and the High Bailiff of Henley Court Leet are seen in the foreground. This was a valuable meeting with lots of information about the activities of the many guilds around the country as well as completing the official businesses of FEW. In the light of some recent developments at Stafford, the support of FEW and its expertise could be very beneficial, as the status of Freemen and their lands is constantly changing.

There has been a great deal of misinformation circulating about the Freemen's lands at Coton Fields.

Absolutely nothing has been done and there are no proposals to sell the primary asset of Stafford Burgesses.

All this has emanated from a valid question, raised at the Annual Burgesses meeting, about the security of our tenure in the light of our realising that there are bodies, such as Severn Trent, with powers to override ancient rights.

The concern was what we should do if we found we were vulnerable and the scribe was instructed to check this.

It was noted that Freemen in other places have disposed of some, or all, of their material assets and invested the money elsewhere, but there was no proposal that we should do so.

No individual stands, (or even expects), to make any personal gain from any such transaction.

A copy of the Press release can be seen on the Coton Fields web site by clicking here.

2016

Newly-sworn Burgesses of Stafford pictued with the Mayor, Mayoress, Guild Master and Guild members after the 2016 Court. Thanks once again to Paul Milgate-Scarratt for the picture.

A Flag for Staffordshire

The design submitted by the Staffordshire Heritage Group to which the Burgesses belong won the ballot for a flag for the Historic County of Staffordshire. Thanks to anyone who voted for us. This is now the registered official flag. Click the flag for more details

To see the programme for members of the Staffordshire Heritage group click here

Some pictures of recent events. See more on our Facebook page detailed above.

The primary purpose was to change the title of the organisation to "Burgesses Guild" to bring it in line with current practice.

For a quick summary of the Burgesses' organisation, activities and responsibilities click here
To learn more about Stafford Burgesses click the links below.