Deva Pentice 2012:31723 Freeman Deva Pentice 04

No. 45
SEPTEMBER 2012
The Journal of the
F REEMEN AND G UILDS
of the
C ITY OF C HESTER
Immediate Past President:
Ian Sumpter
Vice President & Acting Hon Secretary:
Brian Evans
Hon. Archivist:
Norah Anne Edwards MA
Editor:
Howard Pate
Worshipful Company of Painters, Glaziers,
Embroiderers & Stationers.
The Worshipful Company of Mercers, Ironmongers,
Grocers & Apothecaries
Worshipful Company of Joiners,
Carvers and Turners
Patron the Duke of Westminster,
Freeman of the City of Chester
© Geoffrey Newcombe, Photographer
Friend of the Freemen and Guilds
No. 45
ISSN 036 7246
The Journal of the
FREEMEN AND GUILDS
of the
CITY OF CHESTER
Floor 2, The Forum Offices, Chester CH1 5HS
PRESIDENT
vacant
VICE PRESIDENT
Brian Evans
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
Ian Sumpter
HON. SECRETARY
Brian Evans
HON. TREASURER
Vacant
EDITOR
Howard Pate
Website: www.freemenofchester.co.uk
Email: chesterfreemenandguilds.com
The Freemen and Guilds can also be contacted on 01244 977280 during
office hours between 9.00 to 12 noon. Answer Phone available out of hours.
© Freemen and Guilds of the City of Chester
The Deva Pentice
1
CONTENTS
Letter to the Editor .................................................................................................. 3
The Editor ................................................................................................................ 4
Brian Evans.................................................................................................................5
Intirim Management Plan ...........................................................................................7
Management of the Guilds Council.............................................................................9
YEARLY CIVIC EVENTS
Banquet ....................................................................................................................11
AGM and Sunday Service 2012 ...............................................................................13
West Cheshire College Awards ..................................................................................13
Pentice Court New Freemen.....................................................................................14
Mayor Making and Civic Service ...............................................................................15
Parade of The Giants ................................................................................................16
Midsummer Watch ...................................................................................................16
Chester Freemen Welcome Olympic Torch ..............................................................17
Mystery Plays............................................................................................................18
NEWS FROM THE COMPANIES
Bakers Company.......................................................................................................19
Clothworkers, Walkers and Masons Company...........................................................19
Joiners, Carvers and Turners Company .....................................................................20
Mercers, Ironmongers, Grocers & Apothecaries Company ........................................21
Smiths, Cutlers and Plumbers Company ...................................................................22
Phyllis Nicholson ......................................................................................................23
Companies Twenty Three .........................................................................................23
HISTORY
The Worshipful Company of Mercers, Ironmongers, Grocers and Apothecaries........29
NEWS ITEMS
Freemen of England and Wales .................................................................................31
BEREAVEMENTS ............................................................................................33
NOTES FOR YOUR DIARY ............................................................................33
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The Deva Pentice
Letter to the Editor
In the Tabloids, in the Broadsheet Newspapers, in local free papers and in local
papers still requiring payment there is almost always a space and a place for
Letters to the Editor. There are the traditional "Disgusted from Tunbridge
Wells;" those in the Merseyside area who feel obliged to wonder why they still
pay tolls to travel through the Mersey Tunnels when the original debt and
interest must have been paid off years ago. Again locally you will have those who
deplore some planning application , a real or imagined grouse about the way the
local authority empties or doesn't empty its bins or a request for a severe penalty
for those who fail to clear up after their dog has left a deposit.
In recent press enquiries about their behaviour and the hacking scandals top
level editors and their bosses have appeared in court and before tribunals with
disturbing questions about the way the Press goes about its work. "Don't let a
good story get in the way of the truth !" is allegedly the attitude of some
journalists and editors. Sometimes it seems as if the editor is all powerful and
dictates the whole policy but at other times it appears that the owners or those
who hold the purse strings are the ones who dictate the way things are run.
In national, regional and local Press affairs there are whole armies of reporters,
journalists and informants supplying material for the papers and it is part of the
work of the editors and their subs to decide what to include and how to include
it. Sometimes political, religious, ethnic or social bias is uncomfortably obvious
and at other times things are wrongly emphasised or just left in an obscure
corner. We have learnt to believe that Freedom of the Press is vital and we
almost believe that we are entitled to know everything about everybody but that
must be open to doubt.
A Deva Pentice Editor (even like our present editor who had many years
experience as Editor of the Freemen of England and Wales magazine) cannot
produce an edition without a supply of articles so he needs the Companies to
provide him with information either about their current activities or something
from their archives. The writer of this article assures you that he hasn't written
this at the editor's request. The Deva Pentice is OUR magazine and if we want
it we have to produce it. For all its years it has been a splendid production and
with modern technology it has been even better. A genuine Flagship for the
Freemen and Guilds.
Dennis C. Kelly.
HOWARD PATE, Editor, Deva Pentice
As most freemen will know, the Freemen and Guilds have surrendered their
lease on the Guildhall.
Thanks to the efforts of a small committee of freemen, we have exited the
Guildhall on favourable terms. We are still able to hold our regular meetings and
functions there, and the Cheshire West and Chester Council have generously
given us an office in the Forum complex, from which Cyril Chesters (our
recently retired Hon. Secretary), and Peter Thompson (Assistant Hon.
Secretary), have valiantly carried on their good work. Thank you, gentlemen, for
all you have done during this period of upheaval.
The Freemen and Guilds are grateful to all who helped in the move from the
Guildhall. We can justifiably hope that calmer waters lie ahead.
The new address is:
Freemen and Guilds of the City of Chester
Floor 2, The Forum Offices, CHESTER CH1 5HS
Tel: 01244 977280
[email protected]
The Freemen and Guilds wish Tara, Jan and their staff every success in turning
the Guildhall into a vibrant, quality venue in the heart of Chester.
The Hon. Editor wishes to thank all those
who have contributed to this issue of the
Deva Pentice.
His contact details are:
Howard Pate, 6 Tyndall Avenue, Waterloo,
LIVERPOOL L22 3YF
Tel: 0151 920 8437 Email: [email protected]
DONATIONS TOWARDS THE COST OF THE DEVA PENTICE ARE VERY WELCOME.
CHEQUES PAYABLE TO THE FREEMEN AND GUILDS OF CHESTER MAY BE SENT
TO THE ASSISTANT HON. SECRETARY AT THE FORUM.
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BRIAN EVANS
I am a baby boomer born in Chester. After spending the
first four years in Town, we moved to Blacon like many
others at the time.
I went to the local schools in Blacon, before starting
secondary education at the Kings School as an Owen
Jones Scholar. I was strong in maths and science and not
too good at languages. After taking my O levels I sought
career advice at the Youth Employment Office, and I will
never forget the officer’s words “ ..with your skills in
maths and applied science, civil engineering is a possibility, you will be able to
get a job anywhere in the world.” The reality was that later, in days of
depression, we civil engineers had to go anywhere in the world to get a job.
I left the Kings School and undertook an A Level course at the College of
Further Education in maths and science and was successful in obtaining a place
at the University of Sheffield to read civil and structural engineering, where in
addition to having the best time of my life, I met my future wife Sheila. I did
manage to get an honours degree and was also captain of the university table
tennis team.
I was offered a job in Birmingham and moved in 1971 and it has remained my
base since, living in Worcestershire on the southern edge of the Birmingham
conurbation. It was also the start of me playing golf on a regular basis.
Also in 1971 I became a freeman and a member of the Bakers Company. I was
always told that due to a fire at the Town Hall, the records had been destroyed
and my grandfather and great uncle had to carry out research to prove our
entitlement to freedom. We never found out which company we should have
joined, but the Bakers took them in.
After five years working in Birmingham and becoming a Chartered Civil
Engineer, at that time it was thought the correct career move to spend some
time working overseas. I was successful in obtaining a job in Libya in 1977. This
proved to be an unforgettable experience. It sounds great, work only in the
morning in a Mediterranean Country and spending all afternoon on the beach.
Our daughter Claire was only 10 months old when we arrived in Libya. It proved
to be a valuable lesson in life working in Gaddafi’s country. I first learnt of the
Arab IBM way of life, Inshallah (god willing), Bukrah (tomorrow) Momkin
(maybe). Patience was an essential attribute for life in Libya.
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We returned to the UK after one year and then we went to Qatar. We eventually
stayed six years, our son Ian was born in the first summer during leave in
Sheffield. Qatar is a very pleasant country with friendly people. It was very
satisfactory professionally working on water supply projects.
With the children growing up, it was time to return to UK. We had bought some
land in our village Alvechurch and we built our own house on our return to UK.
I continued my career in civil engineering and Sheila returned to teaching.
About 20 years ago, I was deemed to be too old to do project management,
which is my passion, and I had to retrain to undertake dispute and commercial
work and qualified as a Fellow of the Institute of Arbitrators. Subsequently, I
spent my time on a variety of troubled projects, some of which went to court,
arbitration or adjudication.
Just over three years ago, we decided that our careers were coming to an end
and we decided to go on a trip to the Antarctic. Sheila’s grandfather had been
one of the forgotten men in Antarctic exploration. They were on the Ross Sea
side of Antarctica to provide depots for Shackleton’s doomed Transantarctic
Expedition. You have all seen the film where Shackleton was a hero for saving
his men after his ship sunk. He did not even set foot on Antarctica, whilst for
two years the Ross Sea Party awaited his arrival on the other side of the
continent. For us it was the trip of a lifetime.
We have both now scaled down our work to zero and we are looking forward to
our retirement.
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FREEMEN AND GUILDS INTERIM
MANAGEMENT PLAN
For many years now the Freemen and Guilds have been struggling to attract
members to undertake the officers roles as defined by our present Constitution.
A number of reasons have been put forward including the change in lifestyles
since the Freemen and Guilds were formed in the 1960s. More people live away
from Chester and even for local freemen there is more pressure on people’s
time.
Also, and I think that this is very important, is the feeling that the Freemen and
Guilds have not done enough to adapt to the requirements of new freemen. I
have heard several tales of new ideas being ignored or rejected without full
consideration, and offers of help by new volunteers being ignored.
I think that it is now universally accepted that the Freemen and Guilds needs
freshening up, if not a full root and branch review to solve these challenges, if
we are to survive the next decade.
The management of the Freemen and Guilds is delegated to the Guild’s Council,
whose meetings have been described as an ordeal; the words frustration and lack
of decision making are common remarks.
The surrendering of the Guildhall lease lifted a huge burden off the Freemen
and Guilds, and left us in a strong financial position. It should have led to a surge
in enthusiasm but has not done so to date.
The Guildhall Group were appointed by the Guild’s Council with delegated
responsibly to run the Guildhall. They worked well as a unit, made decisions as
a team and mainly communicated by email, Skype and by telephone. The tasks
were split, the local people dealt with local matters and I, based in Birmingham,
dealt with the administration and financial matters. I believe that this is the
model for the future management of the Freemen and Guilds.
I considered the various activities of the Freemen and Guilds and proposed to
deal with each of these activities with a dedicated team as follows
•
Presidential Team
•
Administration Team
•
Financial Team
•
Guilds Functions Team
•
CWaC and City Liaison Team
•
Deva Pentice and News Letter Team
The team concept allows the members to split the work load in accordance with
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7
the individual’s available time. Collaboration between the team members should
give us a better end product. It also allows for a new person to be slotted in to
learn and hopefully to fully contribute at the appropriate time.
In addition to the setting up of the teams, I propose to carry out a root and
branch review of the Freemen and Guilds over the next year. The intention is to
communicate with as many freemen and companies as possible.
These proposals have been approved by the Guild’s Council at the June meeting
and we have started working.
Communication has not been a strong point for the Freemen and Guilds. A
number of initiatives are underway to improve communication.
• We now have the website http://www.freemenofchester.co.uk/ It only has
some basic information at the moment, but data such as the diary of
events and other news will be posted shortly.
• We will be sending our regular emails giving information about the
Freemen and Guilds, seeking advice from freemen etc. For reference the
Freemen and Guilds email address is [email protected]
• Since moving to the CWaC Forum Office, we have had problems with the
functionality of the telephone and we have now purchased a mobile
telephone 07583 237401.
At the July Guild’s Council Meeting, it was agreed that we would hold an open
meeting to discuss the Constitution, which everybody agrees needs a major
revamp. This meeting will be held on 15th August 2012.
Also it had been decided to set up a Young Freemen Consultative Team to give
the young freemen’s views and opinions. The upper age guideline is 40 but this
is not strict. The young freemen are the future of the Freemen and Guilds and
must have a voice. The young freemen have demanding lives and any volunteers
can contribute as much or as little as they wish. It is anticipated that
communication between the young freemen themselves and the Freemen and
Guilds will be electronic and there will be no obligation to attend meetings in
Chester. I assure them that they will be heard and any suggestions will be
seriously considered.
BRIAN EVANS
VICE PRESIDENT.
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MANAGEMENT OF THE GUILDS COUNCIL
From : Jay Naylor, Coopers Company Steward, Gill Ralph, Bricklayers Company
Steward, Pat Dodd, Senior Alderman Bakers Company, Christine Weston,
Cappers Company Steward.
The following statement was read out at the AGM 2012
The Last few years have seen us struggle for nominees for key officer posts.
History shows us that freemen were historically Chester based. They operated
businesses in Chester and they lived in and around Chester. There was neither
the opportunity nor the distractions of a life outside the immediate vicinity.
Nowadays, descendents of Chester freemen may apply to become a freeman of
Chester wherever they live, and this was extended to women in 1993.
Theoretically, every freeman is able to allow their name to be forwarded by their
Company for consideration to take up one of these illustrious posts. In reality
for those of us who do not have a CH postcode this is far more difficult. In the
past I have been told that this is not the case and many out of town successful
post holders have been referred to. There are always examples of course of the
extremes of the spectrum, but if you live any distance away, or in another
country you would definitely not be able to fulfil the expectations of the position
of Presidents it involves attending a number of civic and ceremonial functions
and visits around the UK to other freemen events and banquets.
Recently, Brian Evans has tabled a plan to reorganise the way the Freemen and
Guilds is managed. It is quite different, with an emphasis on teams of
management posts and a root and stem review of what all freemen want.
Management by email or telephone and greater use of the internet are modern
day tools which can be brought into play, and were part of this new style method
of delivering control which meant those freemen willing to serve who did not
have CH postcodes could offer their services in a meaningful way.
The innovative freeman who masterminded this new management concept
sought the authority of a non- successive Vice Presidential post, which was
rejected constitutionally and so the method has not been tested and we remain
in this precarious position of no new applicants for the key posts. He was offered
the post of Hon. Secretary but this was felt not to be appropriate unless he had
the mandate of a more senior role which would empower him to bring his new
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9
management plans to fruition.
I and those who stand up today confirm our belief that we need to embrace new
opportunities, and explore the system which was offered to us and we want all
freemen present to know that this lifeline offer has not been explored.
Brian Evans as Honorary Treasurer has steered the Freemen and Guilds
organisation through the choppy waters of change once already in securing a
very favourable deal with Cheshire West & Chester City Council when we
relinquished the Guildhall in October 2011. He has proven he is capable, and
he is willing now to modernise the ancient and respected Freemen and Guilds.
We, as legitimate members of the Guilds Council request that a proper root and
branch review of how we deliver the Freemen and Guilds services should be
carried out in order that we may protect our history whilst embracing the future
and in so doing, deliver a service to all freemen wherever they may live.
Editors note:- At the June Guilds Council meeting, Brian Evans was elected as
Vice President, and Acting Secretary.
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Yearly Civic Events
BANQUET
The Freemen and Guilds held their Annual Banquet in the sumptuous setting of
the Guildhall on Saturday, 8 October.
There was a full house, with many welcome guests from other cities and towns,
including Altrincham, Coventry, London and York. The speakers were our
President Ian Sumpter, the Immediate Past President Andrew Middleton, the
Lord Mayor of Chester Councillor Eleanor Johnson, and the Master of the Guild
of Freemen of the City of London, J. Don Lunn.
Mr. Alan Fallows, President of the Freemen of England and Wales, and Mrs.
Fallows, were also present.
The catering was by Chester Racecourse, and the Toastmaster was the always
excellent Anton.
The next day, the Chester freemen and their guests made a fine show as they
processed to St. Peter’s, at the Cross, for morning service. They were welcomed
by the Rector, Father David Chesters, OBE. The preacher was the Rev. Canon
Dennis Kelly, a great stalwart of the Freemen and Guilds.
AGM AND SUNDAY SERVICE 2012
The AGM was held in the Guildhall on Saturday June 16 with the somewhat
disappointing attendance of only thirty six freemen. There werte eighty one
apologies.
The President, Ian Sumpter was in the Chair for the last time. He has served
three years, as well as a previous term as President. This is a remarkable record.
The meeting lasted longer than usual, closing at 4.30pm. It was decided that
past presidents would serve in place of a President, as no volunteers were
forthcoming.
Refreshments were provided by Jan and the Guildhall team.
The next morning was President’s Sunday. The morning started showery, but
improved as the morning progressed. The Guilds Chaplain, Canon Dennis Kelly,
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11
MIDDLETON
DECORATORS
Andrew C. Middleton B.Sc.
Association of the Chartered Institute of Building
Freeman of Chester and
Member of the Coopers’ Company
Private, Industrial
and Commercial Work
Undertaken
65 Sandringham Avenue, Vicars Cross,
Chester CH3 5JF
Telephone: 01244 341959
Mobile: 07770 606655
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must have prayed for better weather.
Our President for the Service was G.O.Tilston. The service was conducted by
the Rector, Rev. David Chesters, OBE, assisted by the Guilds Chaplain, who gave
his usual excellent sermon.
There were about fifteen freemen in attendance, but only a few Guilds Council
members attended. A rather disappointing turn-out, when you consider the
amount of work which goes into the arrangements, by the Guilds Officers and
St. Peters.
The service went very well with the number present including regular members
of the congregation.
The service concluded with the singing of the Freemens’ hymn, to the tune of
Aurelia.
After the service we processed back to the Guildhall with the Sheriff of Chester,
for light refreshments.
WEST CHESHIRE COLLEGE AWARDS
The Freemen and Guilds congratulate the following students for outstanding
performances in their various courses:
Bakers
Barber Surgeons, Wax & Tallow Chandlers
Bricklayers
Butchers
Cappers, Pinners, Wierdrawers & Linnen Drapers
Coopers
Joiners, Carvers & Turners
Innholders, Cooks & Victuallers
Painters, Glaziers, Embroiderers & Stationers
Mercers, Ironmongers, Grocers & Apothecaries
Sadlers & Curriers
Smiths, Cutlers & Plumbers
Weavers
Wrights and Slaters
Freemen & Guilds Outstanding Achievement 14-16
The Deva Pentice
Jacob Foster
Susan Jones
Kristian Wall
Sean Martin
Richard Cartwright
A. Dowson
P. Davies
Wai Khong Chang
Joanne Frankel
Janet Hobbs/Katie Johnson
Gary Cheshire
Ha Fizalla Nazary
Anna Jones
Adoni Poole
Anna Apollonio
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PENTICE COURT NEW FREEMEN
This Court was scheduled to be one of the smallest we have had for some time with
eight applicants to be made free, but on the night the number was reduced to six.
This was the first Court to have the new Clerk of the Court to replace Amanda who
had left the Council. She is Penny Housley and she conducted herself very well on her
first occasion. – thank you Penny.
The Court was held in the Town Hall on 27th April, the day nearest to St George’s
Day which has been the traditional date since the Middle Ages.
The Lord Mayor, Councillor Eleanor Johnson presided over the Court accompanied
by the Chief Executive, Steve Robinson, in his more ancient role as Town Clerk.
The President, supported by a number of Freemen together with the families of the
newly elected Freemen, attended and the evening followed the usual traditional
format. The Lord Mayor in her speech spoke of the great honour just bestowed upon
the new Freemen and urged them to join their respective Guild Companies and
contribute to the preservation of the Freemen and Guild Companies.
The President echoed the words of the Lord Mayor and encouraged the new Freemen
to join their respective Companies and become involved in the activities of the Guilds:
it is important that we preserve the traditions of the Freemen by taking part in Guild
and Civic events. He then invited everyone to join the procession to the Guildhall
where light refreshments would be served. The procession was led from the Town
Hall by the Guilds Standard Bearer, Cyril Chesters, accompanied by two Stave
Bearers, Chris Weston and Debbie Cox, and of course we had the rain as well!!
The Freemen and Guilds congratulate and welcome the new Freemen and look
forward to meeting them again in the near future
Andrew John George Bowbanks
George Charles Fearnall
Anne Jane Jones
Maureen Patricia Vaughan-Thomas
Carole Louise McLenny
Matthew Thomas Trussell
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MAYOR MAKING AND CIVIC SERVICE
The Freemen attend the Mayor and Sheriff making in the Town Hall to act as ushers.
This is not a role we originally had for the Freemen used to choose the Lord Mayor,
who was usually a Freeman. However, times have changed and it is now the
responsibility of the local council to choose the Mayor. This year’s Lord Mayor comes
from Winsford.
The Sunday after the Mayor-making is devoted to the Civic Service when Mayors
from around the district, within Cheshire West and Chester, attend.
The Chester Freemen attend this service in their gowns. Firstly there is a body of
Freemen who act as sidesmen to take the collection during the service and to usher
people to their seats. Other Freemen meet in the Town Hall along with the President
and Guilds Officers to parade with the council members from the Town Hall to the
Cathedral.,
After the service the Lord Mayor invites everyone to the Town Hall for light
refreshments.
This year Chester’s Lord Mayor is Councillor Pamela Booher and the Sheriff is
Councillor Bob Crompton.
The Freemen attending were: sidesmen: John Brown, Howard Pate, Nora Edwards
and Cyril Chesters. Gill Ralph and Peter Dutton Paraded from the Town Hall (The
lack of Guilds Officers was noted).
Cyril Chesters
PARADE OF THE GIANTS
The Monday morning turned out to be sunny and cloudy, far better than the
Sunday, for if we had had the parade on the Sunday, even the giants would have
needed umbrellas!
Approximately twenty Freemen assembled at the Guildhall, ready to lead the
procession up Watergate Street, where we waited for a few minutes and then at
a very slow walk we processed down Eastgate Street, and up Werburgh Street to
the Town Hall, where the Freemen went on to the Town Hall steps to present
the Giants to the Lord Mayor.
The Giants assembled at their slow pace on the Town Hall Square to the
Accompaniment of the Karamba Band and when they were all assembled they
were then presented to the Lord Mayor. After a while they moved off.
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15
The event went very well – even the rain kept off apart from a few spots. It was
a good effort by the Freemen.
Thanks to you all
Cyril Chesters
MIDSUMMER WATCH
Saturday started off not very promising – rather windy, but apart from a few
drops of rain it managed to keep fine; probably our thanks should go to the
Guilds Chaplain for the weather!
As usual we formed up in Abbey Square with the Samba Band leading the way:
in days gone by it was led by a woman and a small drummer boy, but evidently
drummer boys are getting scarce!
The Guilds were represented by the President for the day, Hilarie McNae, who
along with the Lord Mayor rode in a carriage pulled along by members of the
Lions. Our standard bearer was Dave Edwards and the two stave bearers were
Pat Boden and Chris Weston, and another eight Freemen formed up to walk in
the procession, which proceeded down Werburgh Street, Eastgate Street and
Bridge Street,, along the bypass, up St John Street, back down Eastgate Street
and up Northgate Street to the Town Hall, where the Freemen assembled with
the Lord Mayor and all the other various groups also assembled, prior to ending
the Parade.
The parade takes about one hour to complete the circuit, and the Guilds were
represented by a small number of Freemen. We could do with a few more to
take part, for it was the Freemen who started both this and the Winter Watch.
Sunday morning did not look too promising – windy with black clouds.
However, our Chaplain helped again, and it turned out to be a great day.
Our President today was Peter Thompson, who rode in the chariot by himself
as there was no Lord Mayor or Sheriff present. Our standard bearer was again
Dave Edwards, the staves being carried by Cyril Chesters and Don Bryan, with
support from eight Freemen.
The parade was the same as the previous day, walking the same route, with the
Freemen supporting Chester’s own Midsummer Watch, which was initiated by
the Freemen in 1498.
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CHESTER FREEMEN WELCOME OLYMPIC TORCH
On July 31st 1998 Chester Freemen held up the Irish mail train to mark the
150th anniversary of Royal Mail trains
On May 29th 2012 the President and sixteen Freemen welcomed the arrival of
the Olympic Torch into the city. It was a lovely summer evening and the streets
were crowded with local people also there to welcome the torch.
We had met on the Town Hall steps at 5.45pm, where there was a small band
playing and through the help of Councillor Hilarie McNae, a Past President of
the Freemen and Guilds, we had been allocated a fenced-off area facing down
Werburgh Street, which gave us a perfect view of the events and the arrival of
the torch.
After we had been escorted to the fenced area, much to the annoyance of the
people who had been waiting there, we waited until approximately 6.0 pm when
the torch arrived accompanied by the police escort and various other vehicles.
The other torch was then lit and duly passed on its way to the Roodee.
We did not hold up the torch on this occasion, but we certainly did welcome it
into the city and with a big thanks to all those who attended and a special thanks
for the space reserved for us by Hilarie.
Truly a night to remember
Cyril Chesters
MYSTERY PLAYS
Next year sees the revival of the famous Chester Mystery Plays, originally staged
by the Guilds throughout the Middle Ages.
We have been asked if we would participate, and further details will be made
available nearer the time.
This is another opportunity for the Freemen and Guilds to contribute to
Chester’s rich historical legacy, of which we are such an important part.
News from the
Companies
BAKERS COMPANY
The highpoint of the Company year is the Annual General Meeting followed by the
Dinner. At the A.G.M. our new member, Amy Breen, took the oath and was
welcomed into the Company by Senior Alderman, Stephen Cox. As the retiring
Senior Alderman Stephen gave the following report;
“It has been a great honour and privilege to be your Senior Alderman for the last
two years, following my Mother, Margaret Cox, and my Grandfather, Jim Moss. I
have been lucky enough to see my eldest daughter, Rebecca, made Free and join the
Company last year. She is not able to be present today but looks forward to
attending our meeting next year.
In the last two years I have seen the Company grow in terms of active membership
and innovation such as Claire’s lead on the Website, I hope we can continue to see
this develop. Stephanie & I represented the Company at the Guilds Annual
Banquet.
I have also had the pleasure of visiting Freemen in Carlisle and members of the
Tanners Company of London, here I was shown their fabulous gold plate and
regalia.
Most of all I have had the pleasure of meeting friends in the Bakers Company, at
Company events and Company meetings.”
At the election of Officers, Pat Dodd was elected Senior Alderman and Ben Dutton,
Junior Alderman, Sara Smith was elected Hon Treasurer, and Amy Breen a Steward.
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We again exhibited fascinating Bakers Records loaned from the County Records
Office.
The excellent Company Dinner was provided by Harvey’s Farmhouse Caterers and
enjoyed by all who attended. Our Principal Guest was President of the Freemen &
Guilds, Ian Sumpter, accompanied by his wife, Liz.
In January we were saddened to hear that Eileen Barnes, wife of the late Past Senior
Alderman Jim, and Mother of Past Senior Alderman Peter, had passed away at the
wonderful age of 102. Eileen & Jim were enthusiastic supporters of the Bakers
Company and worked very hard to help establish the Guildhall as the home of the
Freemen & Guilds.
On April 27th we were able to witness Andrew Bowbanks be made “free” by the
Lord Mayor at the Pentice Court in the Town Hall, it was a splendid occasion made
all the more enjoyable by the presence of Andrew’s family who had made the
journey from Southampton. We look forward to welcoming Andrew into the
Bakers at our A.G.M. on 3rd November.
Unfortunately we were unable to arrange a “Hoe Down” this summer, the
traditional date booked clashed with a Chester Race Meeting when Watergate
Street is virtually taken over by
the partying race goers, however
we intend to arrange one next
year.
The Bakers Company website is
up and running please send items
for inclusion our webmistress,
Claire
Slater
at
[email protected]
Peter Dutton
Hon. Secretary.
Senior Alderman’s Jewel
CLOTHWORKERS, WALKERS AND MASONS
COMPANY
Probably like some of the other Companies ours holds meetings very rarely. Our
last was in 2007 on April 13th when we admitted some new members and apart
from them there were only seven others present. As Steward I have attended
Guilds' Council regularly for many years and have turned up when attendance of
The Deva Pentice
19
Guildsmen was required for Civic and other functions. One of our lady
members rarely misses attendance at the Annual General Meeting.
Again like other Companies our members are fairly widely scattered over the
country including some in Southampton, Newmarket and London while others
are nearer in Hartford, Crewe and West Kirby and a few more in the Chester
area. We are also varied in age from one over eighty, several in their sixties, some
in their fifties with others forty and under. We are also varied from the retired
(some recently) to the middle aged with a grown up family and younger with
family commitments.
Some are still in work while others have been made redundant and some are
invalids. These variations make it clear why so many of them cannot take a full
part in any Guilds' activities ; they live too far away; they are too busy with their
family; they are too busy at work. We all know that some members travel great
distances to attend meetings but more usually because they are no longer in full
time work. We have always paid our dues and some of our members still pay
dues for their children. More recently when some members haven't paid their
dues they have either resigned from the Company or if they've failed to pay for
three years their names have been deleted from the Company list. [This does
not and cannot affect their status as Freemen.] We have felt that because of the
generosity of our members in such matters as financial support for the Deva
Pentice and the provision of a prize with framed certificate for a student from
the West Cheshire College we cannot expect members to pay up for the nonpayers.
Dennis c. Kelly
(Steward and Past President)
JOINERS CARVERS AND TURNERS COMPANY
The company’s new Steward is Andy Taylor, who lives
in Pearl Lane, Vicars Cross, Chester. Andy has recently
completed a degree in criminology, and is currently
working as a teaching assistant. He hopes to start a
teacher’s training course in September. He is married
to Lisa, and has three sons, Robert, Steven and Jason.
Neil Stafford, who stepped down following his run as
20
The Deva Pentice
Company Steward at the AGM in June , was given thanks for all his hard work,
having carried out his duties in conjunction with a busy business career in IT.
Howard Pate is Senior Alderman, and Chris Pate serves as Junior Alderman.
The Company owes a great dept of gratitude to Dave Stafford, husband of our
member Pauline Stafford, for the amazing job he did in photographing, page by
page, the minute book of the Company, from 1861 to 2004. It is a brilliant job,
and constitutes a durable record of Company business during these years. The
photos are now converted onto CD, and copies will be made available to
members of the Company.
We now have a handsome and durable new Minute Book.
Howard Pate - Senior Alderman
MERCERS, IRONMONGERS, GROCERS &
APOTHECARIES COMPANY
Our Annual General Meeting was held on the 2nd May with all the present
officers being returned to office:
Senior Alderman John Nicholson
Junior Alderman David Starbuck Edwards
Senior Steward
Norah Edwards
Treasurer
Pamela Fairclough.
Original family name: PARRY
We have 22 members with 6 active members living in Chester, which is why the
same officers are continually returned. Five have the original family name of
Parry and the other member has the family name of Evans.
The Minute book 1924-2012 shows that in the past the names of these families
appeared quite often and they were at that time fully active members.
There is interest from members who live away from Chester but their support
has been minimal due to pressure of work and travel time and although
members receive a copy of the Deva Pentice this does not give them a voice.
It was agreed that those members who have requested copies of the Minutes of
the Council Meetings will receive them by email to keep them updated on events
as they unfold. Their email addresses were requested for the Freemen and
The Deva Pentice
21
Guilds new database but we do hope that if addresses are changed the Steward
will be informed.
We are now in the process of setting up a web page for our Company to link in
with the new Freemen and Guilds website and hope that with this new
technology our members will give a voice to their opinions. But we are aware
that not all members have the new technology and hope that they will request
any information from the Steward through the email address of
[email protected] or the Forum Office at any time.
N.A.Edwards MA
Company Steward.
SMITHS, CUTLERS AND PLUMBERS COMPANY
Jamie Stanley, grandson of Guilds recently retired Assistant Secretary, is a
prominent racing driver:A Chester racing driver will swap sports cars for single seaters this year after
confirming plans to enter the 2012 F3 Cup.
Former British GT4 champion Jamie Stanley, eldest son of Colin and Gillian
Stanley, is the latest driver to join the growing list of competitors in the F3 Cup,
a cost effective championship taking in some of the best circuits in Europe.
The 20 year old who hails from Chester but is now based in Milton Keynes will
join up with the experienced Lanan Racing outfit who will also run F3 cup
regulars Kat Imprey and Mark Terry. Despite his wealth of racing experience,
this will be Jamie’s first race in formula 3 cars, and he didn’t set himself any
targets for the season opener at Oulton Park on Easter Monday (April 9)
Jamie, who will also compete in the Radical UK cup and the Lotus Cup UK this
year said “ I couldn’t pass up this opportunity to race an F3 car with Lannan
Racing, and I’m really looking forward to racing in the F3 cup. I’m under no
illusions as to the challenge ahead as this will be the first time I have even driven
a F3 car since my scholarship days in 2004. I’ve got a test day on Friday which
will be my first time in the car so we will see how it goes from there, but it
should be good fun.” The new F3 cup season began in front of a bumper crowd
alongside the British GT championship at Oulton Park on April 9.
22
The Deva Pentice
PHYLLIS NICHOLSON
Phyllis Nicholson of the Mercers, Ironmongers, Grocers & Apothecaries
Company died on the 24th January aged 97 years. Phyllis was a true Cestrian
having been born within the City Walls . She was in the first group of women
who in 1993 became eligible to become Freemen of the City. This was through
her Father’s family who had for many years originally run a foundry in Crook
Street, Chester. In 1742 they also had an Ironmongers business in Northgate
Street. In 1815 the description of the business as an Iron Foundry had changed
to that of Engineers- no doubt because of its development during the Industrial
Revolution. The firm of Parry’s Engineering like so many other family
businesses- sadly disappeared in the 1950’s
Her four brothers were Freemen of the City and Company members and Phyllis
was encouraged by her brother Gilbert Parry (a founder member in 1972 and
former President of the Freemen and Guilds) to become a Freeman This she did
at the age of 78 principally so that members of her own family could become
eligible.
She was very proud to become a Freeman and Guildsman having seen her
brothers’ join and she herself previously having been barred from becoming one.
In the company now are her son and daughter, and her grandchildren. Whilst
there are 20 members in the Company it is her family who are running the
Company as part of a small family group who actually live in Chester. The fact
that many Freemen live away from the City is a difficulty that many of the
Companies are now experiencing so Phyllis’s membership has in this instance
helped to redress the balance.
Also for those who have died:
Phyllis Nicholson died 24th January 2012 Mercers, Ironmongers, Grocers and
Apothecaries
COMPANIES TWENTY THREE
Twice a year the Freemen and Guilds have a church service in Saint Peter's at the
Cross. One is on the Sunday after the A.G.M. in June and is called President's
Sunday and the other is on the Sunday after the Banquet in October called
Guilds' Sunday. To our shame the President's service is very sparsely attended
compared with the Guilds' service partly because the visiting Freemen from
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23
Deva Pentice 2012:31723 Freeman Deva Pentice 04
7/8/12
00:01
Page 24
Banquet 2011
Banquet 2011,
The President
and his family
All freemen are very grateful to our Immediate Past President,
Ian Sumpter, and his wife Liz, for so generously carrying out
their demanding duties over recent years with such unstinting
commitment, kindness and friendliness. They have represented
us with distinction in Chester and in towns and cities beyond.
24
The Deva Pentice
Freemen welcome the Olympic Torch to Chester
Parade of Giants
The Deva Pentice
25
Ciril Chesters and Peter Thompson in the Forum Offices
Portrait of
William Aldersey
26
The Deva Pentice
other towns and cities always turn out in force both for the Banquet and the
service.
At both services we sing the Hymn of the Freemen and Guilds of the City of
Chester. It was amended in 1993 but was originally written by Brother H.R.J.
Swinnerton of the Painters, Glaziers, Embroiderers and Stationers Company. In
the second verse there is a line which reads "Our Companies twenty three."
Usually a list of these appears on the back cover of the Deva Pentice and
although the hymn says they are twenty three in number it doesn't always seem
to add up.
That will be partly because many Companies are grouped together -- usually for
an historic reason, and originally because some of them didn't have enough
members to manage on their own. The larger Companies such as the Bakers, the
Weavers, and the Butchers seem to be on their own while the Cappers, Pinners,
Wierdrawers and Linendrapers go together as do the Wrights and Slaters; the
Clothworkers, Walkers and Masons; the Innholders, Cooks and Victuallers; the
Joiners, Carvers and Turners; the Mercers, Ironmongers, Grocers and
Apothecaries; the Cordwainers and Shoemakers; the Smiths, Cutlers and
Plumbers; and the Fletchers, Bowyers, Coopers and Stringers Company.
Sometimes these groups formed naturally but in other cases they were put
together by order of the Mayor because various groups had quarrelled with each
other violently.
The Companies are autonomous and in recent years some have withdrawn from
the Guilds and others have simply stayed away. Some Companies exercise their
right not to admit ladies and others are so few in number and so widely scattered
that in the next few years they will become extinct as did the Drawers of Dee,
the Hewsters and the Fishmongers which died out before 1835. When the
Guilds and Companies first came into being their members mostly lived in or
near Chester and remained there for their whole lifetime and the same applied
even to their children. They easily maintained the Trade and family interest. For
many years things have been much different with the disappearance of the
Trades and Apprenticeships, increased mobility, increased availability of Higher
Education and the increasing need to go where work is. Sadly lack of interest
and apathy are rife.
In recent years a member of the Goldsmiths' (no longer Guilds' members) was
a "real" Goldsmith and my own grandfather was a "real" stonemason. In our
membership I have known Butchers, Plumbers, Joiners and Bricklayers but not
many Apothecaries, Barber-Surgeons, Fletchers or Bowmakers but in most
The Deva Pentice
27
28
The Deva Pentice
Companies nowadays there is little or no connection with the original Trades.
Suggestions have been made that we, like the City of London, should create our
own new Companies. We could have I T operatives, Television Engineers,
Hairdressers (should they be barbers but not surgeons?) Till operators, Eternal
Students and Caterers could revive the extinct Cooks Company, which I think is
hidden with the Victuallers. There's food for thought . . . . . . . . .or not.
History
THE WORSHIPFUL COMPANY OF MERCERS,
IRONMONGERS, GROCERS AND APOTHECARIES
Historic Portrait of a Chester Mayor returns to the City.
The Portrait of William Aldersey (1543-1616) Mayor of Chester is painted in
oil on an oak panel dated 1615.
As the Mayors of the City were quite often Freemen and members of Guilds I
contacted the Museum for some information.
Apparently he was a merchant and antiquary, the son of a Ralph Aldersey and
Jane Goodman. Following in his father’s footsteps he was a successful Merchant
Ironmonger. In 1578 he married Mary, daughter of John Brereton of
Wattenhall and Eccleston and they had three children.
He served as Mayor of Chester in 1595-6 and 1613-4 at a time when the
Mayoralty and Civic administration was of strategic importance because Chester
was the principal Port used in support of the standing army in Ireland. Aldersey
was at that time recording the numbers and county of origin of the troops and
horses sent over to Ireland between 1594 and 1616. His special achievement
was building barracks for this traffic so that Chester was extremely efficient in
re-provisioning warships.
Aldersey was also very successful in overseas trading and was included in the
patent incorporating the East India Company in 1600, that returned him profits
of between 220% and 300%! Obviously he was extremely rich but as well as his
business interests and civic duties he also wrote about the Mayors who had
governed Chester.
The Deva Pentice
29
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When James 1 visited Chester in August 1616 he attended a Civic Dinner and
Aldersey, as the most senior Alderman at the dinner, had the honour of
presenting a Gold Cup to the King on behalf of the City.
He died in Chester in 1616 and was buried in St. Oswald’s the Church where
he had been baptised 73 years before. It was recorded that his reputation was
‘A man whom all the days of his life truly feared God, a true lover of all good
preachers and a wise sage and grave citizen.’
The portrait of William Aldersey hangs in the Museum’s Stuart Dining Room
alongside other people he would have known.
But – was he a member of our Guild – the answer is partially in the Rolls of the
Freemen of Chester which state that:
Aldersey, William admitted in 1560 to the Ironmongers Guild ? Mayor
1596,1614
The dates are right for the man in the Portrait but what of the question mark.
Perhaps confirmation may emerge with further research.
News Items
Norah Edwards – Steward.
FREEMEN OF ENGLAND AND WALES
The AGM this year is in the beautiful city of York, hosted by the Gild of Freemen
of the City of York.
The AGM is at 11am on Saturday 15 September, in the Merchant Adventurers
Hall. There will be a supper on Friday evening, and a presentation by the
Yorkshire Film Archive. On Sunday there will be Morning Service at All Saints
Pavement, accompanied by the Army Cadets.
We in Chester have strong links with the FEW, and were a founder guild in
1965. Over the last forty seven years, the Association has done much to protect
and enhance the Freedom, wherever it may be found.
The Deva Pentice
31
HONOUR BOARDS
The Guilds Council hopes to establish Honour Boards giving the names and
Service details of Freemen who have died in action, to be placed in the
Guildhall Council Chamber. Chris Pate of the Joiners, Carvers and Turners
Company, has researched this project with great expertise and enthusiasm.
YOUNG FREEMEN
It is hoped to establish a committee of younger freemen to foster interest
among the new generation of freemen.
ASSISTANT HON. SECRETARY
Peter Thompson is our Asst. Hon. Sec., and his business hours mobile is:
07583 237401
WEBSITE
The Chester Freemen website is:
www.freemenofchester.co.uk
32
The Deva Pentice
It is with regret that we give notice
of Fellow Freemen who have died
2011-2012
David CRANK
Joiners, Carvers and Turners
Phyllis NICHOLSON Mercers, Ironmongers, Grocers
and Apothecaries
Notes for your Diary
2012
September 14 .....................................Small Companies Dinner
October 12 .........................................Pre-Banquet Supper
October 13 .........................................Banquet
October 14 .........................................Guilds Service
November 7........................................Student Awards
December 16 ......................................Christmas Lunch
June 8 .................................................AGM
2013
DONATIONS:
Many thanks to those Companies who have made a donation
towards the cost of printing and sending out this edition of the
Deva Pentice. It is much appreciated.
Donations towards the cost of the Deva Pentice will be gratefully
received, please forward to the Forum Offices.
The Deva Pentice
33
Company Stewards
Bakers
P. S. Dutton, 4 Timberfields Road, Saughall, Chester CH1 6AP
Tel: (01244) 880889 Mobile: 07960 955346 Email: [email protected]
Barber Surgeons
S. Davies, 8 Granston Court, Connah’s Quay, Deeside CH5 4GR Email: [email protected]
Brewers
Mrs V. Y. G. Bown, 42 Percy Road, Handbridge, Chester CH4 7EZ Tel: (01244) 681808
Bricklayers
Mrs D. G. Ralph, The Paddocks, Broomheath Lane, Bruen Stapleford, Tarvin, Cheshire CH3 8HE
Tel: (01829) 740887 Email: [email protected]
Butchers
Mrs P. F. Sant, 627 London Road, Davenburn, Northwich, Cheshire CW9 8LH Tel: (01606) 42419
Cappers & Pinners
Mrs C. M. Weston, Mill View, Chapel Close, Moor Lane, Rowton, Chester CH3 7QS
Tel: (01244) 336655 Email: [email protected]
Coopers
Mrs. J.M. Naylor, 'Tranquillity' Majestic Way, Aqueduct, Telford, Shrops.TF4 3SN
Email: [email protected]
Cordwainers
Mrs H. J. McNae, The Warren, 16 Caughall Road, Upton, Chester CH2 1LS
Tel: (01244) 380433 Email: [email protected]
Innholders
T. H. Hodgson, 12 Glebe Meadows, Plemstall Lane, Mickle Trafford, Chester CH2 4QX
Tel: (01244) 300137
Joiners
Andy Taylor, 32 Pearl Lane, Vicars Cross, Chester CH3 5NX
Tel: (01244) 320608 Email: [email protected]
Masons
Canon D.C. Kelly, 26 Lyndhurst Road, Meols, Hoylake, Wirral CH7 7BP
Tel: (0151) 632 0335 Email: [email protected]
Mercers
Mrs N. A. Edwards MA, ’Orchardside’, 49 Percy Road, Handbridge, Chester CH4 7EY
Tel: (01244) 679054 Email: [email protected]
Merchant Drapers
R. K. Williams, 81 Windermere Park, Windermere, Cumbria LA23 2ND Tel: 015394 44186
Merchant Taylors
H.P.G.Challenor, 9 Lond Lane, Upton, Chester CH2 2PF
Painters
Mrs D.G. Trussell, 18 Highcrest Avenue, Tyldesley, Manchester M29 8GH
Email: [email protected]
Skinners
J. E. Davies, 123 Green Lane, Vicars Cross, Chester CH3 5LD Tel: (01244) 341692
Smiths
Cyril Chesters, 7 Canberra Way, Blacon, Chester CH1 5TG Tel: (01244) 374415
Tanners
G. A. Ainsworth, 8 Embassy Close, Blacon, Chester CH1 5AN Tel: (01244) 375053
Weavers
Mrs G. Brackenbury, Cathedral View, 23 Sutherland Way, Vicars Cross, Chester CH3 5HN
Tel: 01244 329346
Wet & Dry Glovers
J. W. Brown, Corner Cottages, Village Road, Christleton, Chester CH3 7AS
Tel: (01244) 336743 [email protected]
Wrights & Slaters
M. W. Lloyd, 7 Laurel Grove, Hoole, Chester CH2 3HU Tel: (01244) 346722