Every year the Committee arranges social events for Freemen, most notable of which are the Annual Dinner, and the "Aunt Sally" match which takes place against the Sheriff’s team after the annual inspection of Port Meadow. “Aunt Sally” is peculiar to Oxfordshire and is therefore a suitable game to be played between Oxford’s two most ancient bodies.
Port Meadow Inspection . June 2007 . - Despite threat from severe weather forecast
Leaden skies and a severe weather warning did not prevent our Annual Inspection of the three hundred and fifty acres of the sublime Port Meadow going ahead . Our Chairman paid tribute to the good turnout of fellow Freemen . One Freemen had travelled all the way from Shoreham in Sussex - so no excuses for any Freemen living closer !
It was around three thirty on the Friday 22nd afternoon when the Met office issued their warning through the BBC . How very satisfying then to arrive at the Car Park starting point and find an assembled body of Freemen suitably equipped for anything that might fall from the skies.
We had a few minutes wait for the City Sheriff but a cheer went up when the official car came into sight. The Sergeant at Arms soon had the Chain of Office positioned on the fine shoulders of Councillor Mary Clarkson .We made our way onto the Meadow through the gate , which had been unlocked by our Meadow Ranger and good friend , Anthony Roberts .
By sheer coincidence ,the cattle had walked themselves into the Cattle Pound . Perhaps they thought this was the roundup . In any event , it was good practice ! The Meadow grass appeared to be of good quality and the further reduction in weeds was evident. The River was running at a much higher level than remembered from previous Inspections and the Meadow was in part flooded in the usual places . This had the effect of curtailing part of the inspection route but we enjoyed the healthy walk past the busy Boat Station and return on a slightly muddier route.
It is very worthy to note that Ragwort weed was not seen . As reported last year , it is evident that this poisonous weed has been eradicated from our Meadow . I did learn this year , that there are at least two varieties of Ragwort . There is common Ragwort and Oxford Ragwort and they flower in different months to each other. The Oxford Ragwort originally escaped form a University Laboratory possibly 100years ago and spread to the surrounding countryside. It is this variety which flowers last in the season.
The Sheriff remarked that the prohibiton sign of flying model aircraft on the meadow was perhaps the only sign in the City which states “By Order of the Sheriff.”
It was in the closing stages of our inspection that the umbrella went up over the Sheriff . In fact , back in the Car Park , the light shower stopped completely and we made haste to the Plough Inn for refreshment .Thank Goodness the Met Office had got it wrong .
St Georges Day Service and Lunch - Sunday 22nd April 2007
Brilliant Spring sunshine greeted us as we assembled outside St Michael in the North Gate. The Choir shimmered in their all white gowns and then around the corner from Corn Market came the Civic procession from the Town Hall led by the Mace Bearer . The Lord Mayor and his Lady accompanied by The Reverend Hugh Lee were followed by no less than seven former Lord Mayors and several other City Councillors . All were robed and wearing civic hats.
The Freemen and their guests , some with the most beautiful deep red roses, proceeded into the Church behind the Civic Party and the Choir followed to the rear. We were ushered to our reserved seating and the Service began. The First Lesson was read by our own Archivist, Dr. Paul Geldart . The second lesson was read by the Lord Mayor , Jim Campbell. Our Song of the Freemen of England was sung with power and gusto. The Freemen Prayer preceded a wonderful Anthem sung by the Choir. Even the Sermon came down to comment on the spectacular weather and a new beginning. At the close of the Service we all proceeded into the social room of the Church for a welcome drink and a chance to say hello and offer our thanks.
Our usual Lunch venue at The Mitre was under going refurbishment and so we took the opportunity to book the thirty of us into a special lunch at the nearby Liban Restaurant above Boswells . Special in that the Sheriff of Oxford was pleased to join us and also the lunch was mainly vegetarian and middle eastern and served buffet style at the table.
St George was of probably of near eastern origin and so perhaps it was appropriate that we tucked into stuffed vine leaves, grilled chicken wings with garlic sauce and wonderful pastries filled with feta cheese - to name just a few of the fine dishes that filled the entire table.
St George is the Patron Saint of England and at least twelve other countries . He is Patron of the Scout Movement. He is patron of English Archers and our Bowmen benefited from William Shakespeare when he penned those famous lines in Henry V Act 3 …. “ I see you stand like greyhounds in the slips. Straining upon the start. The games afoot : Follow your spirit; and , upon this charge Cry God for Harry , England and St George ! ”.
Visit of the Gild of Freemen of the City of Leicester - 2006
The 20th May dawned and thankfully it was dry . After a week of wet weather we were grateful to meet and greet our guests on the dry Oxford Town Hall steps at 10.45am . Their coach had left Leicester at 9am and made good time. The Lord Mayor , Councillor Jim Campbell , in only his second day in this high office , provided coffee , tea and fruit juices for the forty Freemen of Leicester and approaching thirty Oxford Freemen in the Assembly Room . We were joined by the new Sheriff , Councillor Susanna Pressel and also the City Rector, Revd. Hugh Lee.
A colourful procession from the Lord Mayor’s parlour to the Assembly Room was led by the Sergeant at Arms and the Lord Mayor , City Sheriff and our Chairman. The Lord Mayor offered fine words of warm welcome to our guests. He then called forward the three applicants for admission as Freemen , who were each given a Bible to hold in the left hand. The Sheriff then proceeded to read out the Oath of the Freemen to Stephen Ewens , Roger Charles and Scott Cooper . This was repeated line by line by the applicants. They swore their allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and to maintain the Franchises , Liberties and Customs of the City . Our Chairman then congratulated and welcomed them to the Freedom and gave them documents appertaining to the Freemen (and a copy of the oath) before making a speech which urged them to wear their Freemen Tie with pride and attend Freemen social functions where possible. There was loud applause from the assembled Freemen of both Cities for the new Freemen.
The Deputy Master of the Gild of Leicester , John Tolton and assisted by their Chamberlain , Roger Allen , presented the Lord Mayor with a gift which was reciprocated with a gift for Leicester of an Oxford City plaque .
The Lord Mayor and Sheriff then invited everyone to a tour of the Town Hall . The “wedding cake” Main Hall , the Council Chamber and the Lord Mayors Parlour were all viewed with great enthusiasm before descending the steps to the basement where the City Plate is safely kept and displayed. The fabulous silver Hunting Scene was a tremendous draw. It was given to the City by the family of a local brewery.
We bade our farewells to the Lord Mayor and Sheriff and walked to Carfax and onto our Lunch venue before our tour of Jesus College in Turl Street. The Freemen are indebted to our own Chris Butterfield and Chris Cox for making the arrangements for us to view at Jesus College. It came as a surprise to our guests that each College has it own Chapel . Jesus has a Welsh influence from its founder . Among the famous students to have passed through its doors include former Prime Minister Harold Wilson and T.E. Lawrence. We sat a while in the Dining Hall and imagined all the previous students who had passed through the doors. The bench seating has certainly attained a wonderful patina through long use.
From Jesus , our tour fragmented as each wanted to see different aspects of Oxford in the remaining time frame. Our group crossed the road and entered Exeter College and saw the Gothic style Chapel - a contrast to the Jesus Chapel. We then walked to the Sheldonian Theatre where a Graduation Ceremony was in progress. These were Graduates from last year returning for their scrolls. We were indebted to fellow Freeman Bernard Crapper , who instigated our entry to the courtyard of the Sheldonian and arranged a group photo of us all by one of the professional photographers on duty for the event . Bernard then led us all through a mysterious passage and into the famous Turf Tavern , where we found suitable refreshment before a quick tour of the nearby Wadham College before our farewells.
Common Hall - Thursday 29th April 2004.
The Lord Mayor , Councillor Pat Stannard , chaired this important meeting in the City Council Chamber. This was the opportunity for all Freemen to attend and voice their concems. What a shame, therefore, that so few attended. The basic agenda soon has us all listening to the Officers reports. The accounts were in good order and the Committee had been diligent and working purposefully. Social activities had been organised throughout the seasons of the previous years. Port Meadow hardly received a mention which must speak volumes for the good stewardship of the Ranger.
The meeting will be best remembered for the speech by the retiring Chairman, Fred Ingram MBE., Oxford's best known nonagenarian. Fred, as he has always preferred to known, had decided that it was time to stand down after fourteen years at the helm. Sir David Yardley was quick to his feet to pay tribute to his friend whom he described as determined and exacting man who had done so much to bring the Freemen of the City of Oxford to a dignified resurgence.
Photo: New Freeman, Sarah Goldey flanked by Secretary Chris Butterfield (left) and soon to be outgoing Chairman, Fred Ingram, (right) complete with badge of office.
