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Guild of Young Freemen

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The Guild of Young Freemen of the City of London[1] is a membership organisation that connects young individuals associated with the traditions of the Freedom of the City in the City of London.

Guild of Young Freemen of the City of London
AbbreviationGuild of Young Freemen
Formation7 December 1976; 48 years ago (1976-12-07)
FounderSir Robin Gillett, Bt.
HeadquartersGuildhall, London
Location
  • London, England, United Kingdom
Master
Reuben Braden-Bell
Key people
William Hunt, Alderman Alastair King DL
AffiliationsOrder of St. John, St John Eye Hospital Group, London Area Sea Cadets
Websiteyoungfreemen.org
Formerly called
Society of Young Freemen of the City of London

Founded in 1976 as the Society of Young Freemen of the City of London during the Lord Mayoralty of Sir Robin Gillett Bt,[2] the Guild was founded to provide a platform for young professionals to engage with the civic and historical traditions of the City. Over time, it has developed into a forum that fosters engagement with London’s heritage while supporting professional and community activities. The Guild is open to young professionals under the age of 40 and seeks to encourage greater participation in the customs and institutions of the City of London.[3]

History

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Formation

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In the mid-1970s, the City of London Corporation exploring ways to involve younger people in the City’s civic life and encourage them to become Freemen. Internal discussions, led by the Corporation’s Policy and Parliamentary Committee and its Public Relations Sub-Committee, highlighted the need for an organised forum for young Freemen. In 1976, a working group of five Court members of the Guild of Freemen (the association of City Freemen), together with City Corporation representatives and a number of younger Freemen, met several times to develop this idea.[2] These early committee deliberations culminated in a proposal to create a new body specifically for young Freemen, with the support of the Lord Mayor and the Corporation. By late 1976, the framework was in place for what was initially envisioned as a "Society" of young Freemen, dedicated to engaging the next generation in the heritage and traditions of the City.

The Society of Young Freemen

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The official formation of the Society of Young Freemen of the City of London took place at an inaugural meeting on 7 December 1976 at Mansion House,[2] launched under the auspices of the then Lord Mayor, Sir Robin Gillett Bt (who served as the Society’s first Patron). The Society’s stated aim was "to promote an interest in and the interests of the City of London among Freemen of the City" – in practice, to increase the participation of young Freemen and Liverymen in City affairs and traditions.[2]

Early leadership of the Society was drawn from young City Freemen: June Evans served as the first chairman in 1976–77. She was followed by William Hunt and (Margaret) "Penny" Lewis – later known as Penny Harrison, among others, who together shaped the Society's direction in its formative years.

From the outset, the Lord Mayor agreed to act as Patron of the Society, and successive Lord Mayors continued this patronage tradition. The Society of Young Freemen quickly became active in the City's calendar: it held annual dinners and social events, arranged educational visits, and encouraged its members’ involvement in historic ceremonies. Within a few years, the Society was recognised as a training ground for future Livery company members and City leaders, with several alumni later serving as Livery Masters, City officers, and even Lord Mayors.[2]

The Guild of Young Freemen

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In 2015, the Society adopted the name Guild of Young Freemen to better reflect City traditions. The Guild remains distinct from the older Guild of Freemen of the City of London, which was founded in 1908.[4]

Current activities

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Members of the Guild regularly participate in major City events. It maintains a ceremonial role in the annual Lord Mayor's Show, where its members traditionally escort the wickerwork giants Gog and Magog through the City, in collaboration with the Worshipful Company of Basketmakers.[5][6][7]

The Guild also contributes volunteer marshals to the annual Sheep Drive across London Bridge, a charitable event organised by the Worshipful Company of Woolmen which recreates the traditional right of Freemen to drive sheep over the Thames toll-free.[8][9][10]

In addition to its ceremonial roles, the Guild hosts lectures, inter-livery networking events, and formal dinners throughout the year.[11][12]

It has partnered with modern City of London livery companies such as the Worshipful Company of Information Technologists,[13] and supported other civic activities like the Lord Mayor's Big Curry Lunch.[14]

Affiliations

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Military

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The Guild like other livery companies has military affiliations, and has been involved in activities with the London Area Sea Cadets, including attendance at joint ceremonial functions.[15]

Charitable

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The Guild is affiliated with international humanitarian organisations including Saint John Eye Hospital Group,[16] and the Order of St. John.[17][16]

Notable members

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Members of the Guild have gone on to become liverymen, common councillors, and officers of City institutions.

Guild members include:

List of honorary presidents

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Guild Church

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References

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  1. ^ a b "The Guild of Young Freemen of the City of London". Livery Committee. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d e James, Clare (12 October 2015). "THE ORIGINS OF THE SOCIETY OF YOUNG FREEMEN" (PDF). Guildhall Historical Association. Retrieved 9 March 2025.
  3. ^ "Become a Freeman". Worshipful Company of Educators. 3 July 2018. Retrieved 10 April 2025.
  4. ^ "Guild of Freemen of the City of London". Guild of Freemen. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
  5. ^ "2023 Procession – Lord Mayor's Show". Retrieved 16 May 2025.
  6. ^ "2024 Procession". Lord Mayor’s Show. Archived from the original on 14 March 2025. Retrieved 9 March 2025.
  7. ^ "The Lord Mayor's Show". BBC. 9 November 2024. Archived from the original on 14 March 2025. Retrieved 9 March 2025.
  8. ^ "Freemen drive sheep across London Bridge". The Guardian. 26 September 2021. Retrieved 16 May 2025.[dead link]
  9. ^ "Sheep Drive Across London Bridge 2015". The Worshipful Company of Woolmen. 23 February 2015. Retrieved 9 March 2025.
  10. ^ "About". Sheep Drive & Livery Fair. Archived from the original on 8 March 2025. Retrieved 9 March 2025.
  11. ^ "Young liverymen compete at annual City quiz". Worshipful Company of Bakers. 20 February 2025. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
  12. ^ "Young Livery Inter-Livery Quiz 2024". Worshipful Company of Tallow Chandlers. 15 February 2024. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
  13. ^ "News". The Worshipful Company of Information Technologists. Retrieved 10 April 2025.
  14. ^ Master, The Web (23 May 2023). "Report on the Lord Mayor's Big Curry Lunch 2023". Livery Committee. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
  15. ^ "Affiliated Cadet Groups". Royal Society of St George. Archived from the original on 14 March 2025. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
  16. ^ a b Jess (3 December 2024). "The Guild of Young Freemen Announce Landmark Partnership with SJEHG". St John International. Retrieved 10 April 2025.
  17. ^ "Latest News | Page 4 of 31". St John International. Retrieved 10 April 2025.
  18. ^ a b "Next City Lord Mayor Elected". City of London Corporation. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
  19. ^ "Transcript of interview: Sir Brian Jenkins" (PDF). Archives of IT. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  20. ^ "Anthony Bailey OBE addresses The Society of Young Freemen of the City of London - Anthony Bailey Consulting". 30 May 2014.
  21. ^ "David Wootton". Gresham College. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  22. ^ "Silent Ceremony 2024". Young Freemen. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
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