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Stafford Burgesses |
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You have reached
The
Stafford
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This is the place to learn about the past and present activities of holders of this ancient office. |
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This
Company of Freemen or
Burgesses is a historic and ancient body committed to the County Town of
Staffordshire: |
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To learn more about Stafford Burgesses click the links below. |
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| The Guild was well represented at Mayor-making on May 10th 2014. Despite the traditional rain it was a splendid occasion marking 400 years since the installation of Mathew Craddock, the first Mayor of Stafford. | |||||||||
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Stafford
Guild is in the North Midlands
Area of the Freemen of England and Wales.
Click here for details The Master and Deputy attended the FEW Court Meeting on Saturday 15th March 2014 at the Freemen's Holt in Leicester
The
Courts are where the business of FEW is conducted and reports
received from Officers and Wardens. |
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A Court to Swear-in new burgesses took place in the Council Chamber of Staffordshire County Council, Martin Street on December 12th 2013. The Mayor, Councillor Angela Loughran, presided at the historic event, where nine men and nine ladies took the oath of the burgesses to join the ancient company. This was the first occasion that ladies could be admitted under the heredity rules since they were first adopted some 900 years ago.
Click here for more pictures. Hopefully, there will be others in due course. Regrettably our photographer was not permitted to take pictures for reasons we do not understand. |
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An announcement was made by the Mayor of Stafford at a Borough Council meeting on 24th September 2013 that the Guild had met all the legal requirements and the rules for admission as a Burgess of Stafford had been revised. The
vote was 98% in favour of the changes, which
will bring the Stafford Freedom in
line with the requirements of Click here to read the press statement and see the new rules. For a breakdown of the vote click here. |
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The Guildwere invited to the Civic Carol Service at
St Mary's Church, Stafford, at 6.30 p.m. on Sunday 22nd December 2013. 10 Members attended in robes, but as usual it was not possible for all to sit together. |
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The Annual Dinner is
scheduled for Friday 31st January 2014 at the Post House, Stafford. |
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| Another of our popular Skittles nights will be held at the Cons Club on 28th February 2014 | |||||||||
| Some Recent Events | |||||||||
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Stafford Radio The Master was invited by Stafford Radio to talk about the Freemen of Stafford and elsewhere. Presenter Carol Lake, who was recently Sworn in as a Burgess of the Borough of Stafford, presents a show of music and chat with people involved with activities in the town. The discussion covered the origins and the current activities of the burgesses as well as looking at some of the fascinating characters who have been freemen of Stafford. The work of the Freemen of England and Wales (F.E.W.) was discussed, including the fact that Stafford Guild will host their 2014 AGM weekend in September. Stafford Radio broadcasts, (without adverts), on Sundays on the internet. www.staffordradio.com A few pictures of the event taken by photographer and Carol's co-presenter Paul Milgate are shown below. |
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Christmas Lunch 2013
The Christmas Lunch at the
Constitutional Club took place on15th December 2013. There should be pictures here in due course.
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| The Guild was represented at the Mayor Making ceremony and most braved the elements for the Parade on 11th May 2013. | |||||||||
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 Some of the Stafford Freemen who attended the 2013 Mayor-making and Remembrance Parades
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Guild Members attended the
"Save Stafford Hospital March" and were quite noticeable in their robes. Although the Guild does not get involved in political matters it was felt that any reduction in the status of Stafford and its facilities is a cause of concern. The Guild wishes to makes it clear that this is entirely separate from condoning any of the appalling errors made at the hospital over the past few years. |
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 The Annual Guild Dinner 2013 took place on 31st January at the Post House in Stafford. Guests of Honour were the Mayor and Mayoress of Stafford, Councillor Brian Cross and Mrs Lilly Cross. Also in attendance were the President of the Freemen of England and Wales, Mr Alan Fallows and Mrs Val Fallows. some thirty Freemen and their guests enjoyed a convivial evening at this pleasant venue. |
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The Annual Meeting of Burgesses to review the Trust and appoint new trustees
was held
on Monday 21st January 2013 in the Borough Council Offices.
All freemen are entitled to attend, indeed it is one of the few duties of a
freeman.
Four Freemen Trustees were acknowledged for the sterling work they have undertaken over many years. Retiring Chairman, Derek Luker and retiring Clerk, Ian Pettifor are seen with long term trustees; Mick Nowoskowski and Reg Rowland, together with the Mayor of Stafford, Councillor Brian Cross, who chaired the meeting. |
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A Freemen's Court was held on 21st November when 14 applicants were sworn in as Burgesses of the Borough.
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The New Burgesses of Stafford with the Mayor and the Master of the Guild |
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Members of the Guild, in
their robes at St Mary's Church for the Mayor's Service.
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Stafford Burgesses pose for a picture after the 2012 Remembrance Parade
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