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Number 65 November 2013

Leicester Clock Tower

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Leicester Freemen Christmas Cards available in packs of 6

Bill Hargrave, Chairman of the Board of Deputies, presenting chequefor the Lord Mayor’e Charity to Cllr. Ted Cassidy, High Bailiff

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Patron: Colonel Robert Martin MBE DLPresident: The Lord Mayor of Leicester

OFFICERS 2013 - 2014Master: A. Chettle

Deputy Master: M.E. AyresClerk: L.A. Roffee

Chamberlain: M.B. Hill

WARDENSL. Kirk, J.D. Lewitt, A. Marriott , B.W. Mudford, J.E. Tolton

Number 65 November 2013

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GILDHALL NEWSNovember 2013

Contents

Editor’s comments 5

Report by Tony Chettle, Master of the Gild 5

Overdue subscriptions, Maurice Hill, Chamberlain of the Gild 7

Report by Bill Hargrave, Chairman of the Board of Deputies 7

Report on the FEW by Michael Ayres 9

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 11

Leicester Freemen - WW1 Project by Lynn Roffee 14

Searching for those who served in WW1 by Brian Mudford 16

King Richard III visitor’s centre by Eileen Greenwood 18

For Amusement OnlyBest true Lawyer story 20

THe Zoo Keeper 20

A few marriage jokes 21

Have you changed your address? 22

Forms included with the NewsletterBooking form for Long-alley Skittles Night on 28th February 2014Renewal form for annual subscriptionsStanding Order form for Annual SubscriptionsApplication for Membership & Associate Membership of the GildGild products order form

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Editor’s CommentsThis year appears to be going very quick, the olderyou get the quicker it goes. As I am writing thesecomments Halloween is just around the corner andBonfire night will soon be upon us. If you are thinkingabout Christmas presents then the new ladies Gildscarf and a set of Gild cuff-links for a gentlemanfamily member could be a good start.

In the last issue I asked what you thought the future of the GildhallNews should be. I was overwhelmed with your response, I received onlyone reply. May I thank the lady who replied, a couple of important pointsthat she raised were that she looks forward to receiving her copy andhopes it will continue, and that she has no access to the website. I havemade a note of the possible articles that she thinks will be of interest tothe Freemen and will try to include them in future issues.

If you have a story that would be of interest to other members, please putpen to paper, or finger to e-mail. We don’t need a book, only a shortarticle, 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 ifpossible, but pen and ink is acceptable.

And finally I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a verymerry Christmas and a happy New Year.

Brian Mudford

Report by Tony Chettle, Master of the GildHello Everyone,

Now the clocks have been altered we know thatAutumn is well and truly here, and we can lookforward to other events.

The Gild has been invited by the Lord Mayor’s Officeto be present at the Remembrance Day Service onNovember 10th as usual on Victoria Park. I will belaying a wreath on behalf of the Gild.

Since my last report I have attended a Freemen’s Court (August 5th) at

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the Town Hall, This took place in the Mayor’s Parlour because just twoladies were made free, there should have been two more FreedomCourts this year but these were cancelled due to lack of resources, thenext Freedom Court is scheduled for January 2014.

On August 22nd Freemen from the Gild attended a Choral Evensong tomark the death of King Richard 3rd at the Leicester Cathedral. I couldn’tattend this service as I was at a Three Guilds dinner in York, howeverMichael Ayres arranged for several Freemen to attend the Service andall went very well.

On September 1st several Freemen and Partners, including myself,attended the Lord Mayor of Leicester’s Civic Service at the LeicesterCathedral, we managed a good turnout for a good service.

On September 5th the High Sheriff of Leicestershire invited the Masterof the Gild to a reception at her home, The Grange,East Langton. I wasunable to attend and the Deputy Master, Michael Ayres, representedthe Gild.

September 6th (My Birthday) The Gild were invited to a skittles eveningat Barnacle Village Hall, this was an invitation from the CoventryFreemen, eight Freemen and partners went along, and, as ever it wasa very good night out.

On September 13th I was the sole representative from the Leicester Gildat the FEW.AGM, this year held at Oxford. It was a very well organisedweekend and enjoyed by all. It is always good to meet old and newfriends from other Guilds. Michael Ayres and Jean also came over onthe Saturday for the all important meetings and voting, he holds theblock vote for the Leicester Gild.

The Chester Freemen’s Banquet Weekend this year was held onOctober 11th to 15th. Four Leicester Gild Freemen and partners attendedthis year. It was good to see the Chester Guild getting back to normal, itturned out to be a very good weekend.

My next report is due in January and so with my usual aplomb, it is tooearly for the usual seasonal pleasantries so I will wish you all that youwish yourselves and may it all come about to you and to yours.

Best Wishes and Kind Regards to you all

Tony Chettle

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Overdue SubscriptionsI would like to thank all the Gild members who have brought theirsubscriptions up to date during the last few weeks because not onlyhas this provided vital funds for the Gild but just as importantly in quitea few cases enabled me to enhance the membership records.

There are a very small number of members who have not yetresponded to my appeal and over the next few days I will be contactingthem so that eventually I will be able to consider the task complete.

Regarding the Membership records, please advise me if you have anychange in circumstances such as change of address, telephonenumber, marital status (one lady member had got married and changedher surname with her records under her previous surname she haddropped off of our radar), if you are paying for both a member and anassociate member please ensure that I have details of both.

Finally if you have an Email address please send me an Email tomozjune@talktalk.net giving just your name and address and I will putyour Email address into the records and also make sure the otherdetails are correct.

Maurice Hill

Report by Chairman of the Board - Bill HargraveOn 11th August the Chairman’s Trophy was heldat Freemen’s Holt. This is a patio gardencompetition and barbecue to recognise the floralachievements of residents. They participate inthis annual celebration with prizes available forthe best front garden, back garden, hangingbasket, patio tub and allotment. The Chairman’sTrophy is awarded to the best overall display forboth front and back patio gardens and everyone

enjoys the barbecue afterwards. I was also pleased to welcome HighBailiff Councillor Ted Cassidy who attended the event in an informalcapacity. He was presented with a cheque for £200 from the Board ofDeputies for the Lord Mayor’s Charity. (See photo inside front cover)

Eric Critchlow was the winner of the Chairman’s Trophy for 2013making this a third successive award. The residents are hatching a plot

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for a new winner for 2014 although no-one would deny that Eric’s patiogarden was outstanding. Congratulations go to all our residents fortheir flower displays which have been a picture again this year. Itmakes the walk around the estate a real treat. Some photographs ofthe patio gardens and winners of various categories for the Chairman’sTrophy can be viewed on our website at www.leicesterfreemen.comand follow the link to Facebook.

Work has started on the bungalow extension at No 27 and this will beready for a new couple in the New Year. We do know of some peoplewho are interested in this property but the bungalow will be allocated tothe couple in most need at the time of appointment. If you areinterested in moving into Freemen’s Holt please contact Lynda Bramleyin the office on 0116 283 4017, emailleicester.freemen@talktalkbusiness.net to request an application formfor yourself or a family member.

We have a schedule of entertainment planned through the winter withFreemen’s Flicks showing popular films alternating with Freemen’sFuntime which is a mixture of activities including a quiz, word games,bingo and a raffle. The emphasis is on fun with small prizes for thewinners but everyone enjoys these afternoons which are held onWednesday afternoons starting at 2pm in the community centre.Everyone is welcome to attend just call the office for more informationor 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 areinvited to come to Freemen’s Holt for around 7.30pm to start gettinginto the Christmas spirit.

We are investigating the possibility of producing the next register ofFreemen from the information held in the registers at the Town Hall.Maintaining the family names is of primary importance now the Ladiescan also receive their Freedom. This is a project for 2014.

The Making Free ceremonies may move towards being held just once ayear so, if you’re thinking of applying for your Freedom of the City thenget your application in quickly otherwise it could be several yearsbefore your big day comes around.

The Gildhall News is for all Freemen and their families and shouldcontain things of interest. What would you like to see in future editions?

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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 Newsvia email. Again please contact Lynda onleicester.freemen@talktalkbusiness.net to provide your email address.

And finally I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a verymerry Christmas and a happy New Year.

Bill Hargrave

Report on the FEW (Freemen of England and Wales)by Michael AyresThis year the Freemen of England and Wales AGM was hosted by theFreemen 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 theGild, for the complete weekend and Michael Ayres attended for themeetings 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 ofthe delegates. The Friday evening dinner served at 7:00 pm followed at8:45 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 allthose tricky questions were asked which may have been of benefit toother Guilds. The AGM began at 11:00 am with the Lord Mayor ofOxford, Councillor Delia Sinclair opening the meeting.

After the Lord Mayor retired from the meeting, the proceedingscontinued with the main point on the agenda, the Installation of the NewPresident Gordon Vardell. (On behalf of the Leicester Gild we wouldlike to take this opportunity to congratulate Gordon on his appointmentas the New President.) The meeting closed at 12 30 pm. Lunch wasthen served at 1 00 pm. After lunch at 2:45 pm there was a mostinformative guided tour of the Colleges of Oxford.

Saturday evening began at 7:30 pm with a pre Banquet DrinksReception, before the four course Banquet at 8 00 pm. After the LoyalToast and speeches the Banquet concluded at 10:30 pm. The Lounge

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Bar remained open until 1:00 am with time to chat to old and newfriends.

After breakfast on Sunday morning, the delegates assembled for therobed procession to Balliol College for the FEW Church service. On theconclusion of the service the Procession reassembled and processedto the Town Hall for a Civic Reception.

At 2:00 pm presentations were made to the Lord Mayor and to OxfordFreemen for hosting the weekend. The Chairman of Oxford Freementhen handed the baton to John Edwards, Freemen of Stafford, inpreparation for the 2014 AGM in Stafford.

The Deputy President Ronald Leek then gave the closing address toend the weekend meeting. The full report of the AGM weekend will bepublished in the FEW Journal no 176.

If anyone requires a copy please contact myself onmickayres31@virginmedia.com

Or the FEW Website: http://www.freemen-few.org.uk

Individual Membership to the FEW is available to all Leicester Freemenby contacting the Membership Secretary Eileen Forth. At 88 WhitethornClose. Huntington. York. YO3 9EU

Michael Ayres

What to buy for Christmas?Are you having difficulty in deciding what to buy for Christmaspresents? 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 lastissue of the Gildhall News and elsewhere in this issue is a picture of ournew 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 whynot purchase a copy of the Freemen’s Register and discover if yourancestors 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 HillMaurice HillMaurice HillMaurice HillMaurice Hill

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Programme of Future EventsCinderella pantomime

13th December 2013 the Little TheatreDover Street, Leicester

Unfortunately we have no tickets available. Any spare tickets had to bereturned to to the theatre by 1st November. If further tickets arerequired then interested parties should contact the Little Theatredirectly on 0116 255 1302.

Brian Mudford

Long-alley Skittles NightFriday 28th February 2014, arriving at 7.00pm

Coach & Horses, Field Head, Markfield LE67 9RFOur Long-alley Skittles Night this year is again being held at The Coachand Horses, an Everards pub on the A50. Traditional skittles food willbe served, there is a selection: Faggots, chips and peas, Steak & AlePie, chips and peas, and a Vegetable Lasagne, mixed salad and chips.Please indicate your selection on the booking form. The evening will bevery relaxed as usual, there is a maximum capacity of 45, so don’t missout and book without delay. The cost is only £8.00 each.

Brian Mudford

Contributions to the Gildhall News*****************************

History of Freemen – Part 8Leicester and its Government

It has been previously mentioned that in the 12th century there were inLeicester two governing bodies, the Portmanmoot with its civil functionand the Merchant Gild overseeing trade and commerce in Leicester.There was a gradual coalescing of their governmental power over aperiod of time and the merging of their differences into one united bodywas well advanced by the beginning of the reign of Edward III in 1327.

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The bulk of the business of the portmanmoot had by the reign ofEdward III transferred to the Mayor’s Sessions with only business of aminor nature retained. Recording conveyances and acting as a courtfor the recovery of small debts and as a court in which people who havesuffered small injuries estimated at 40s or less obtain theircompensation. The arrangement of market stalls was also consideredthe business of portmanmoot in the 14th century. There is a gap in therecords of the borough between 1380 and 1457 and after that datethere is no longer any reference to the portmanmoot.

The Hall of the Gild of Merchants in which the ‘morning-speech’ hadbeen held had been called variously Gildhall, Mayor’s Hall, Moot Halland finally Common Hall. Such phrases as town council or councilorshad not yet come into use and terms such as ‘Mayor and his Brethren’or ‘Brethren of the Bench’ were frequently used. What was known asthe ‘Jurats’ in the 14th century became the Brethren of the Bench’ in the15th century, although the number (24) remained the same.

Evidence of supremacy of the Gild over the portmanmoot can be foundin a local rule which refers to the unfranchised being excluded fromcommon hall meetings. That is a reference to inhabitants of Leicesterwho had not bought or inherited membership of the Gild who hadpreviously been permitted to attend meetings of the portmanmoot, orindeed the common hall before the date of the new rule. Prior to thisruling non members would turn up in large numbers at common hallwhen the debate was about the election of Mayor and the boroughofficers and when the question of the borough rate was in debate. Theargument used by the burgesses to justify exclusion of non freemenmeetings included ‘headiness’, little intelligence and a small stake in theinterests of the borough which made the unfranchised unfit to take ashare of the government of the town. This exclusion was laterextended to include all gild members except those that be of the fortyeight.

The Twenty Four and the Forty EightAs far back as the 13th century records go there has been a councilconsisting 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 anelection. There are lists of the elected officers but not the brethren.Even allowing for the number of excluded non gildsmen from attendingmeetings there were a number of burgesses and other gild members

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enjoying the privilege of attending meetings as observers and shoutingout their disapproval at decisions made. In 1489 the mass of theburgesses in their turn lost the power to attend meetings.

By order from Henry VII the powers of the gildsmen to attend and voicetheir opinions at meetings were removed and transferred to 48 of theirnumber. This body of 48 was not to be elected by the gildsmen at largebut by the existing government of the Mayor and 24 Burgesses and anyvacancy arising in the 48 was filled by a burgess of the 24’s choice.The lack of democracy was exacerbated by the restriction of fillingvacancies in the 24 from only the 48 and not from the burgesses atlarge. This meant that the whole government of Leicester was in thehands of just 72 burgesses including the election of members ofparliament with no voting powers what so ever for the remaining gildmembers in Leicester. The alleged purpose of the change whichexcluded the common burgesses was to avoid the disturbances thathad occurred in the past at the election of Mayor and members ofparliament and at meetings to carry out the business of governingLeicester. This change was intended to restore ‘good rule andsubstantial order’.

It would seem that the twenty four were left with the vaguest ofinstructions as to how they should use the forty eight and on whatoccasions it was necessary to obtain the consent of the larger bodybefore acting in the name of the whole community. As happens intoday’s local government the 24 and 48 formed committees for specificfunction and the committee members were from both groups. But as itwas in the power of the 24 to replace any troublesome member of the48 without reference to anyone else it is easy to imagine that the powerof government remained with the Mayor and his 24 brethren.

In the early years of local government in Leicester the town was dividedinto four quarters named after the four gates for the purpose ofborough rate and policing but in 1484 twelve wards were created undertwelve aldermen. Only those sitting on the bench of 24 could beelected as alderman and each had the power to punish those whodisturbed the peace in their ward and to punish householders who didnot repair and keep clean the pavement before their houses. Thealdermen could work independently and would only refer offences tothe Mayor and the brethren if the offender did not resist thepunishment.

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The system of local government by the brethren of 24 and 48 continuedup to the reign of Elizabeth I when great changes took place, but moreof that in the next Gildhall News.

John Tolton

Leicester Freemen - WW1 projectYou will be aware from the previous Gild Hall News, and the LeicesterFreemen’s Website, that we have a project that aims to compile asmuch detail about Leicester Freemen who served during WW1. Thereis no list of Leicester Freemen that shows who these men were, otherthan if a man was serving when he took the Freedom. This is shown inthe 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 toincrease that to 100 by next July. We have some way to go and needyour help. If you have the name/s of any Leicester Freemen whoserved, we will try our best to find out medal record details at the veryleast. A lot of service records were destroyed during the blitz in WW2,so there is no guarantee we can find their attestation and/or pensionrecords. What we would like is stories of your ancestors so that wehave more personal information to add to what records may beavailable and accessible to the public. If you have undertaken your ownresearch 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 givenpermission for us to share letters, notes and information etc. Smallsnippets of information have been taken from these letters and notesand 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 anyway that you can. This can include:

· Providing the names of your ancestors (plus any otherinformation, service number, regiment, photograph, letters,diaries memorabilia etc. or writing a story about whatinformation has been passed down about your ancestor.

· Help us with researching or checking the information we havefound to ensure accuracy

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· Researching for photos of the regimental badges and or detailsof the regiments in which the men served, in particular thelocation of these regiments.

· 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 providingus with names of your ancestors, you can also practically get involved.By pooling our information, knowledge and time, we can ensure thatthis 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 isthat you want to help and get involved. We can discuss and agreewith 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 awillingness to help with various tasks is needed during the next fewmonths.

! 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 theUK to participate. It would help if you have IT access, but thenagain, it depends on what you can do and want to do. Please giveLynda 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 havea look and see what we can find. Obviously, the more informationthe 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 todiscuss.

! I have a great aunt who was a nurse in WW1; her father/brotherwas a Freeman though.

Answer: Not a problem. We want to know about anyone involved inthe war work especially women, if they were families of LeicesterFreemen.

! I have some ideas about how to display and set up theinformation.

Answer: Great, please get in touch.

! I can cook and sew, any use?

Answer: Yes absolutely, we are planning a couple of events todisplay the information we have obtained, one for 5th August 2014and possibly the Saturday before or after and want to provide a fewsandwiches, 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 wantyour support!

Thank you Lynn Roffee

Searching for those who served in WW1When I was looking through my Family History records to see if anyrelative had served in WW1 I came upon the following:

Harry Thomas Mudford, my g.grandfather, married Lucy Stretton atSt. Luke’s church in Leicester on the 3rd August 1879. On the marriagecertificate it was stated that he was a 20 year old Tin plate worker livingat 152A Humberstone Road, and Lucy was 19 years old living at 29Providence Place. Lucy’s father Thomas Stretton was listed as a Sockmanufacturer. Henry Thomas Mudford was made free on 13thFebruary 1891.

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The second son of Harry Thomas and Lucy was born on 21st May 1883and was named Walter Mudford, he was baptised the following monthon the 13th June at St. Luke’s church, when his parents were living at 98Wheat Street in Leicester.

As Walter was born before his father became free he was unable tobecome a Leicester Freeman. Harry Thomas did not have any furthersons that lived to adulthood.

In 1909, when he was 26 years old, Walter married 27 year old AdaLycett on the 2nd August at St. Stephen’s church in Leicester. On theirmarriage certificate they were both listed as living at 53 Green LaneRoad,Leicester, Walter being shown as an Assistant Warden.

In the 1911 census Walter and Ada Mudford had moved to MagdalaStreet, Ladywood, Birmingham, Warwickshire, where Walter wasworking as a Warder grade 2 - Prison Dept. They now had a 9 monthsold daughter named Ada Olive Mudford.

Unfortunately Walter was killed in action at the start of the first WorldWar age 31. He was a Bombardier in the Royal Marine Artillery serving

on HMS Good Hope which wassunk by gunfire of Germancruisers SCHARNHORST andGNEISENAU, off Coronel, Chileon Sunday 1st November 1914.HMS Good Hope was built in1901, at a cost of just over onemillion pounds. It was a 14,100tons Cruiser with a complement of900. It had two 9.2” guns, sixteen6” guns, a dozen 12 pounders,and three 3 pounders.

His widow Ada re-married fouryears later, at the end of 1918, to Luther Hawley in West Bromich.

Brian Mudford

HMS Good Hope

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King Richard III Visitor Centre by Eileen Greenwood

On the 12 October 2013 I attended the Annual School Reunion Lunchfor Ex-Newtonienne’s at Devonshire Place. in Leicester This was reallya special occasion as Sarah Levitt Head of the Arts and MuseumsService gave a short talk about the new King Richard III visitor centre.

Last year, Leicester City Council boughtthe 150-year-old former AldermanNewton School building, which is rightnext to the Greyfriars grave site, with aview to breathing new life into thebuilding as a King Richard III visitorexperience.

We were informed that the Leicesterpetition to have King Richard III buriedin Leicester had more signatures thanthe one in York. So hopefully theCentre will encourage people to go into

the Cathedral to see the grave. If King Richard is not buried inLeicester it was felt that the visitor centre would still be of interest asthere are plans to include the excavated grave site as part of theexhibition. The plans include a function room which will accommodategroups of people such as school groups.

The plans for the centre so far (for those of you who are familiar withthe building) are for a glass linked building and ticketing from thedouble gates in the playground leading into the original classrooms onthe ground floor. There will be a display of modern Leicester and alsowhat it looked like in 1485. The first floor will display information on thescientific aspect i.e. the D.N.A testing. There will also be a cafeteria onthe site. There are plans for the playground to be a grassy courtyardand also to give a cloister effect.

The building itself is of interest. The School hall was built first and is inthe style of Gothic revival. They have excavated the tracery of theChurch and it is the same as the school. You should be able to see thelayout of the old Friary on the site of the exhibition. The playgroundswere on the site of Alderman Herrick’s garden and history tells us thatthere 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 ofthe old Chancel. There are plans to open the centre in May 2014. Ithas been suggested that pupils from both the Boys and Girls schoolswill 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 beenmade to it.

As this e-petition has received more than 10 000 signatures, therelevant Government department have provided the following response:

The Secretary of State grants licences to exhume buried humanremains under Section 25 of the Burial Act 1857. Around 200 licencesare issued each year for archaeological purposes. On 3 September2012 the Ministry of Justice granted a licence to Leicester University toexhume human remains found during the excavation of a Leicester carpark. The excavation was primarily to investigate a Franciscan friary butalso to locate the remains of King Richard III who, evidence suggested,was buried there in 1485. The University carried out a series of tests onthe remains and on 4 February 2013 announced that one set was thoseof King Richard III “beyond reasonable doubt”. The MoJ licenceprescribes that the remains should, no later than 31 August 2014, bedeposited at Jewry Wall Museum or be reinterred at St Martin’sCathedral or in a burial ground in which interments may legally takeplace; and that in the meantime they should be kept safely, privatelyand decently by the University of Leicester. The University intends toreinter Richard III’s remains at St Martin’s Cathedral in Leicester.

The Secretary of State for Justice and the University are currentlydefending a judicial review of the decision to grant the exhumationlicence to the University of Leicester. This judicial review touches on thequestion of where Richard III should be reinterred. It would beinappropriate to comment further while the judicial review is ongoing.”

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BEST TRUE LAWYER STORY OF THE YEAR, DECADE ANDPOSSIBLY THE CENTURY

This took place in Charlotte, North Carolina. A lawyer purchased a boxof very rare and expensive cigars, then insured them against, amongother things, fire.

Within a month, having smoked his entire stockpile of these greatcigars, the lawyer filed a claim against the insurance company.

In his claim, the lawyer stated the cigars were lost ‘in a series of smallfires.’ 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 thatthe claim was frivolous. The judge stated nevertheless, that the lawyerheld a policy from the company, in which it had warranted that thecigars were insurable and also guaranteed that it would insure themagainst 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 insurancecompany accepted the ruling and paid $15,000 to the lawyer for hisloss of the cigars that perished in the ‘fires’.

NOW FOR THE BEST PART...

After the lawyer cashed the check, the insurance company had himarrested on 24 counts of ARSON!!! With his own insurance claim andtestimony from the previous case being used against him, the lawyerwas convicted of intentionally burning his insured property and wassentenced to 24 months in jail and a $24,000 fine.

This true story won First Place in last year’s Criminal Lawyers Awardcontest.

The Zoo KeeperHe starts his new job at the zoo and is given three tasks. First is toclear the exotic fish pool of weeds. As he does this a huge fish jumpsout and bites him. To show who is boss, he beats it to death with a

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spade. Realizing his employer won’t be best pleased he disposes of thefish by feeding it to the lions, as lions will eat anything.

Moving on to the second job of clearing out the Chimp house, he isattacked by the chimps who pelt him with coconuts. He swipes at twochimps with a spade killing them both. What can he do? Feed them tothe lions, he says to himself, because lions eat anything. He hurls thecorpses into the lion enclosure.

He moves on to the last job which is to collect honey from the SouthAmerican Bees. As soon as he starts he is attacked by the bees. Hegrabs the spade and smashes the bees to a pulp. By now he knowswhat to do and shovels them into the lions cage because lions eatanything.

Later that day a new lion arrives at the zoo. He wanders up to anotherlion and says “What’s the food like here?” The lions say: “Absolutelybrilliant, 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 withme again, I am coming to live with you.”

Mom said, “No darling, he must pay for his mistake. I am coming to live withyou!

A newly married man asked his wife, ‘Would you have married me if my fatherhadn’t left me a fortune?’

’Honey,’ the woman replied sweetly, ‘I’d have married you, NO MATTER WHOLEFT YOU A FORTUNE!’

22

Have you changed your address ?In the event that is necessary to inform the Gild or the Board of any changein circumstances then the information should be sent to:

Lynda BramleyClerk to the BoardLeicester Freemen’s Estate32 Freemen’s HoltOld Church StreetAylestoneLeicester LE2 8NH

Telephone: 0116 – 283 4017E-mail: leicester.freemen@talktalkbusiness.net

Leicester Freemen web site: www.leicesterfreemen.com

Copy for the next issue should reach the Editorby

Friday 17th January 2014

For your News and Views write to :

Brian Mudford11 Huntsman CloseMarkfieldLeicestershireLE67 9XE

Telephone 01530 245414e-mail: brianmudford@tiscali.co.uk

23

Eric Critchlow, winner of the Chairman’s Trophy for 2013, in his awardwinning 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 withtheir father Peter Barrett enjoying the Master of the Gild’s welcome

speech at their making free ceremony on the 5th August 2013.

A group photograph of the delegates attending the Freem

en of England & W

ales AG

M and B

anquetw

eekend in Oxford in Septem

ber 2013. The Master of the G

ild of Freemen of the C

ity of Leicester ,Tony C

hettle, represented the Gild. H

e can be seen standing at the right on the back row.

BOOKING FORM

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 ofLeicester 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

Long-alley Skittles Night at the Coach & Horses @ 7pmFriday 28th February 2014

RENEWAL OF GILD MEMBERSHIPFOR THE YEAR 1ST APRIL 2013 - 31ST MARCH 2014

I would like to pay the annual subscription for my membership/associatemembership 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 ANNUALSUBSCRIPTION BY STANDING ORDER, PLEASE SEE OVERPAGE.

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 AnnualSubscription to the GILD OF LEICESTER FREEMEN on 1st April eachyear 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 fullmember and £6.00 for an associate member, and that I can stop or amendthis 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 aMember 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 ofLeicester)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 thesum 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 thisapplication

to Maurice Hill, 33 Mossdale Road, Kingsway, Leicester LE3 2UT

THE GILD OF FREEMEN OF THE CITY OF LEICESTERGILD PRODUCTS ORDER FORM1. 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 = £………….6. Gild pens - new design ………at £3.00 each = £………….7. Arm badge - framed …...…at £55.00 each = £………….

- unframed .....….at £20.00 each = £………….8. Blazer badge .........at £13.50 each =£..............9. Wall plaque, wooden …..…at £24.00 each = £………….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 = £………….12. Christmas cards ...........at £6.00 for 6 = £...............

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