The Guild of Young Freemen

On the 2nd of July, the The Guild of Young Freemen kicked off its new calendar year with a wonderful event organised by the Worshipful Company of Wax Chandlers, titled "Beyond the Flickering Candle," entirely conceived by their Master the 686th Lord Mayor of the City of London, Dame Fiona Woolf DBE, DStJ, DL. The dinner, hosted at Wax Chandlers' Hall, was at full capacity, comprising half members of the Wax Chandlers and half members of the Guild. Each course was accompanied by brief and engaging talks by Barbara Hearn OBE and Bee Rowlatt, who shared their experiences in raising the profile of the renowned human rights campaigner Mary Wollstonecraft, inspiring many Guild members and members of the Wax Chandler's Livery. Deputy Masters of Wax Chandlers, Tim Maile and Liveryman Timothy Evans spoke about the fantastic charitable work that the Wax Chandlers do today and how they have reinvented themselves over the centuries. Our Master Grace A., also discussed the evolution of the The Guild of Young Freemen and its role today, under the watchful eye of Peter Tompkins, a past president of the then Society of Young Freemen of the City of London, who served as president from 1991 to 1992. We hope this will be one of many such dinners where we not only get to know the livery but also allow the livery to get to know us and thank all involved especially Timothy Evans and Rafael Steinmetz Leffa who helped organise this event. Photographs by Ryszard Krakowski

The Guild of Young Freemen is immensely proud of its members and former members. We wish to congratulate our Senior Past Master Louise Starling, Moawia Bin-Sufyan, and Liam Randall (former Court Assistants of the Guild) on being elected Lower Warden of the Worshipful Company of Educators, Court Assistant of the Worshipful Company of Educators and Under Warden of the Worshipful Company of Coopers respectively. The Guild of Young Freemen operates on three pillars in its service to the City of London. Firstly, it acts as a platform for those new to the City, young professionals, freemen and liverymen to connect, exchange experiences and ideas, and forge friendships. Secondly, it supports its members by providing knowledge about the City and its livery companies. Finally, it aids livery companies by engaging in young inter-livery activities, charitable efforts and supporting the retention and engagement of their young members. If you are interested in learning more, please email us at membership@youngfreemen.org #CityofLondon #YoungFreemen #Pride

Congratulations to the 25 newest members of the Guild who were admitted in a special ceremony at Ironmongers' Hall last week. They are the first new members to be officially welcomed by our recently-installed master Miss Grace A.. For the last 48 years we have brought together freemen, liverymen, and aspiring freemen and liverymen under the age of 40 for fellowship, personal development, and to learn about and support the civic traditions of the City of London. This year will be no different. Our new members can look forward to a variety of events and activities, ranging from the Sheep Drive, to the Lord Mayor's Show, the Guild's annual banquet, and a huge number of opportunities to learn more about the livery movement and to enjoy the fellowship of other young professionals from across the City. #youngfreemen #gyf #cityoflondon

A different way to spend a Saturday morning! The Guild of Young Freemen were thrilled to participate in the Third Annual Cask Race hosted by the Worshipful Company of Coopers at the historic Guildhall Yard, on Saturday, 8th June.  The event consisted of 21 teams vying for the top spot, with the Guild of Young Freemen entering one team as well as providing all race marshals for the event.  The Lord Mayor Michael Mainelli and Lady Mayoress officially opened the event, setting the stage for an exciting day of races.  A heartfelt thank you to all our team members and volunteer marshals for making this day memorable and impactful. Special thanks to Liam Randall for organising such a fantastic event and our Young Freemen and Cooper Laura Miller for the stunning pictures! Congratulations to the Young Coopers Company for reclaiming the trophy from the Merchant Taylors' Company. We are looking forward to more such events that bring our community together for great causes. #CaskRace #Coopers #Guild #Charity #LordMayor #London #YoungFreemen

Congratulations to Grace A. on her installation as Master of the Guild of Young Freemen of the City of London for 2024-25. Grace was installed at a special ceremony in the Aldermen's Court Room at Guildhall last night. She is pictured here alongside John Lam (Upper Warden 2024-25), Rafael Steinmetz Leffa (Middle Warden 2024-25), Reuben Braden-Bell (Renter Warden 2024-25), and Stephen Hodgson (The Clerk). Samuel Chadd is now the Immediate Past Master of the Guild. #cityoflondon #guildofyoungfreemen #youngfreemen #gyf

Last Friday members of the Guild of Young Freemen joined the London Area Sea Cadets, our newly linked military affiliate, at their HQ, HMS President, to run a career discussion event aimed at introducing young cadets to the many career paths and opportunities that are ahead of them. Several Young Freemen volunteered to speak about their educational backgrounds, career journeys so far, and top tips for those at the start of their careers, and the Master delivered a short talk on the history, traditions, and customs of the City of London and of the Guild. The evening also featured the Presentation and Signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Guild and the London Area Sea Cadets, formally completing the linking of our two organisations, and providing a foundation for what we hope will be years of fruitful work together. The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the Master Young Freeman, Samuel Chadd, and the London Area Officer, Commander James Nisbet VR RN, and now hangs alongside other Livery affiliations in the Wardroom of HMS President.

Last week our Master, Samuel Chadd, and his Consort, Katharine Chadd, were honoured to join the Worshipful Company of Insurers at Mansion House for their Annual Banquet. Having been granted their Livery status in 1979, the Insurers’ Company is a Modern Livery Company and is 92nd in the Order of Precedence. The Company brings together professionals from across the insurance industry with a shared interest in the rich traditions of the City and Livery. Their mission is to promote and develop excellence within the insurance industry, coupled with charitable endeavours through giving and volunteering to support carefully chosen charities helping a variety of groups in need. The Master Insurer, Claire Burrell, provided an update to the Company's members on the activities of her year in office so far, and spoke passionately about her twin themes: accessibility and lifelong learning. The Master also welcomed both Sheriffs, Alderwoman & Sheriff Dame Susan Langley DBE, and Alderman & Sheriff Bronek Masojada - who are themselves members of the Insurers’ Company. The Sheriffs accompanied the Right Honorable The Lord Mayor, Alderman Professor Michael Mainelli, who presented the Master with his Mayoral Callipers, as well as the traditional Mayoral Spoon to the Clerk in recognition of her incredible efforts bringing the evening together in such great style. The value of fellowship is held very dear to members of the Insurers’ Company, and so, in a joyful innovation on the typical format of a City dinner, attendees were invited by the Master to join her for an alfresco dessert in the drawing rooms to provide more opportunity for socialisation, which was greatly enjoyable by all. Thank you again to the Insurers’ Company for your wonderful hospitality. Pictured L - R Jake Iveson, memberof the Worshipful Company of Insurers and of the Guild of Young Freemen Katharine Chadd, Consort of the Guild of Young Freemen Claire Burrell, Master of the Worshipful Company of Insurers Samuel Chadd, Master of The Guild of Young Freemen

Members of the Guild and their guests enjoyed a fun-filled evening yesterday at the return of our inter-Guild pétanque evening, held jointly with our friends from the Guild of Mercers’ Scholars. Teams of three took to the pitch to throw down, enjoying some drinks and nibbles in between matches while discussing ever more complicated strategies. In the end the partnership of Jack, Nadia, and Bob emerged victorious, securing glory for the Guild of Mercers’ Scholars for the year ahead. The event also marks the end of our 2023 - 2024 programme, and so a toast was raised to cheer the outgoing Master to mark the end of another tremendously fun year for the Guild of Young Freemen.

Earlier this week our Master, Samuel Chadd, and his Consort, Katharine Chadd, were honoured to attend a special Gala Fundraising Dinner with The Worshipful Company Of Constructors at the historic Trinity House. The event was in aid of the Worshipful Company of Constructors' Charitable Trust, which supports education, training, and scholarships within the construction industry and other good causes in the City of London. The Constructors' Company was established in 1976, and is therefore a Modern Livery Company (they are 99th in the Order of Precedence). Members are drawn from all aspects of the construction industry including architects, builders, and construction lawyers. Today, the Company continues to be closely linked with the industry, providing support at all levels. The Master Constructor, Terry Withers, announced in his remarks that the Company will be, for the first time, supporting an apprentice to complete a four-year masonry course - an incredible milestone. The guest speaker, Robin Horsfall, gave a stirring account of his military career and the profound impact it had on his life. From entering the Army at the age of 15 as a boy soldier, Robin completed multiple tours of Northern Ireland as a paratrooper before joining the SAS at age 21. Robin spoke of his experience within the SAS, most notably his involvement as part of the team who stormed the Iranian Embassy in London in May 1980 to rescue the captured hostages. Many thanks again to the Constructors Company and liveryman Christopher Breiner, MSc BA(Hons) RICS Tech Partner for organising a very enjoyable evening.

A key pillar of the City and Livery is charity work, both through direct volunteering and fundraising events. Our Master, Samuel Chadd, and his Consort, Katharine Chadd, were delighted to attend one such event over the weekend - the Master Carman's Charity Ball, hosted by the Worshipful Company of Carmen in the exquisite setting of The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple's Hall. Dating back to 1517, the Carmen's Company have a long and storied history of supporting a wide range of aspects within the transport and logistics sector, regualting the use of carts within the City of London. They were, however, challenged for control of the trade by the (now defunct) Worshipful Company of Woodmongers, in a dispute that ran for over one hundred years. The Carmen ultimately prevailed, and gained livery status in 1848 (they are 77th in the Order of Precedence). The Company today retains close ties to the transport and logistics industries, through their annual awards for excellent and achievement within the industry and sponsorship of those in need through the Carmen Benevolent Trust. Not forgetting their traditions, the Carmen host an annual “Cart Marking” in Guildhall Yard where historic and modern vehicles are branded by the Lord Mayor and Master Carman. Thank you to the Carmen's Company, their Master David Pugsley, Consort Sarah Sturrock, and the Ball Committee for their incredible hospitality.