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Number 72 August 2015

Leicester & York Freemenin front of King Richard III statue

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Making Free ceremony of Christine Dorothy Brookes on 27th May 2015 in the Town Hall. Inphoto above,Christine is standing on the right of the Lord Mayor, Cllr. Ted Cassidy. Below more

of the family join the group, with Brett Elson, her nephew from Australia, on the far right

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

OFFICERS 2015 - 2016Master: L.A. Roffee

Deputy Master: A. MarriottClerk: L.A. Roffee

Chamberlain: A. Marriott

WARDENSM.E. Ayres, N. Cave, M.B.Hill, L. Kirk,

J.D. Lewitt, B.W. Mudford.

Number 72 August 2015

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GILDHALL NEWSAugust 2015

Contents

Editor’s Comments 5

Report by Lynn Roffee, Master of the Gild 5

Report by Brian Mudford, Chairman of the Board of Deputies 8

Chamberlain’s Report by Andy Marriott 9

Freemen’s robes 10

Our Sale continues 10

Your Gild Needs You!! 11

Future programme - dates for your diary

Thursday 20th August, Visit to Beaumanor Hall in Woodhouse

Saturday 14th November, Arming a Knight, an evening talk with buffet at the Holt

Friday 18th December, Visit to see the pantomime Aladdin at the Little Theatre

Monday 21st December, Christmas Carols with mince pies and wine at the Holt

Saturday 16th January 2016, History of the Freemen of Leicester at the Holt

Wednesday 13th April 2016, Common Hall at the Town Hall, Leicester

Saturday 4th June 2016, Gild Banquet at Devonshire Place, Leicester

Sunday 5th June 2016, Annual Freemen’s Service at Leicester Cathedral

Contributions to the Gildhall News

The History of the Freemen of Leicester - part 15 by John Tolton 14

For Amusement OnlyWell, I didn’t know that!!! 18

Sudoku puzzles - Easy, Medium & Hard 19

The Priest and the Pilot 21

Getting older 21

Have you changed your address? 22

Forms included with Newsletter

Booking form to see the Aladdin pantomime

Booking form for Arming a Knight, includes Buffet and drinks

Application for Membership & Associate Membership of the Gild

Order form for Gild products

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Editor’s CommentsI repeat my request, is there a Leicester freeman who wouldlike to take over the position of Editor of the Gildhall News?You don’t have to be a member of the Gild Court, you don’teven have to live locally, but I think you should be under 60years old, to give you a few years to enjoy yourself in thejob.So please let me know if you are interested, you arewelcome to telephone me and discuss what is involved

If you have a story that would be of interest to other members, please put pen topaper, or finger to e-mail. We don’t need a book, only a short article, possibly one ortwo pages long. It could be longer if it’s enthralling!! Have you researched your FamilyHistory and have found an interesting story of a family member that would be ofinterest? Preferably I would like to receive them as an attachment to an e-mail ifpossible, but pen and ink is acceptable.

Brian Mudford

Report by Lynn Roffee, Master of the GildThe end of spring and early summer is usually a busy timeof the year for the Gild Court, and this year is noexception.

Sadly, Common Hall was poorly attended. However, wedid have some well attended functions and have had goodrepresentation at Civic Events.

5th June – Banquet Weekend Welcome Evening

This was an evening get together for visiting Freemen whowere attending the Banquet Weekend. We also had a Leicester Freemenvisiting from Australia, Brett Elson, who was here to attend his Aunt’s MakingFree Ceremony. It was a very enjoyable evening, with good company anddelicious food. Thanks go to John Tolton for organising the quiz.

6th June - Banquet

Our Banquet was again held at Devonshire Place with 70 people attending.The food and service were both excellent, as usual, and the lamb generated alot of positive comments! The guest speaker was Dr Richard Buckley OBE,Co-Director - Archaeological Services at the University of Leicester who leadthe team that found the remains of King Richard III. Richard gave a veryinteresting talk on Roman Leicester and the antiquities that were found. OurPatron, Col R Martin OBE DL, also gave us an after dinner talk which touchedon Leicester Freemen during WW1 and the Magna Carta. A big thank you mustgo to Col Martin for arranging for the WW1 Leicester Freemen Display to be

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brought out of it’s storage and displayed. The Gild’s President, The RightWorshipful The Lord Mayor of Leicester, Councillor Ted Cassidy MBE was alsoone of distinguished guests.

I have received many favourable comments from both local and visitingFreemen on the Banquet weekend. These events don’t just happen – there area number of people involved in several months of planning and meetings. Iwould like to thank the Banquet Committee for all the hard work they put intoplanning the weekend.

7th June - Annual Freemen Service Leicester Cathedral

Sadly, once more, there were only a few Leicester Freemen attending theservice, with more visiting Freemen from others Gild’s in attendance. After theservice there were several group photos taken at the statute of King RichardIII. It was a colourful event with all the different coloured robes, including theLord Mayor, Gordon Varndell, the President of FEW, and the High Sherriff –Gordon Arthur and Mrs Janet Arthur,

This annual service is open to all Freemen and not restricted to Gild Members/Associates or those with robes.

Our Aussie attendee Brett, together with his Aunt Christine and her husbandMick, joined us for the whole weekend and they all thoroughly enjoyedthemselves. Brett was keen to join in everything and managed to borrow a robeand had many photos taken to show his wife and children back in Australia.

24th June - Damask Rose Ceremony

The Lord Mayor, invited seven robed Freemen to join him for this ceremony.Mick Ayres, Peter Bates, Eric Critchlow, Keith Harding, Jim Manship, PeterStaines and myself attended. The Lord Mayor, in full regalia, Deputy LordMayor, two Ward Councillors and Freemen processed from the Town Hall toO’Neill’s (formerly the Crown and Thistle) in Loseby Lane. We arrived on thestroke of 1.00pm and the Lord Mayor proceeded to knock on the door ofO’Neill’s. He was greeted by Steve Thorn, the Manager, who presented himwith four old pennies (previously known as Groats) and a Damask Rose. Stevehad got into the spirit of the ceremony and was suitably attired in clothing thatwas worn hundreds of years ago. This ceremony is always held on this day tocoincide with the Feast of St John the Baptist. As it was lunchtime and withmany people in the area, it was an opportunity for the public to take manyphotos, particularly with the Lord Mayor, and to speak with the Freemen.

4th July - Service of Commemoration and Thanksgiving on Armed ForcesDay. (Held a week later than the National event)

This service was “Honouring Britain’s Armed Forces Past, Present and Future”and was held at Leicester Cathedral. The Gild was invited to attend this AnnualCeremony. A total of 15 Freemen and their spouses attended the Service. This

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year the Gild had been invited to wear Robes and to be part of procession intothe Cathedral, which added to the occasion.

5th July - Civic Service for the City of Leicester

The Lord Mayor invited 5 robed Freemen and their spouses to attend the CivicService, which was held at the Leicester Cathedral, and was followed withafternoon tea.

Next year’s 40th Celebrations

The Gild celebrates its 40th Year during 2016. As part of the celebrationsseveral events are being held throughout the year and the first event is onSaturday, 16th January 2016. See the November edition of GHN for furtherdetails.

To those Freemen reading this edition of the GHN who are not members of theGild, why don’t you become members of the Gild? The membership fee isused to part fund the printing of the GHN and to help towards reducing the costof events that are held throughout the year. All of the people involved in theGild Court are volunteers and not paid any expenses, so membership fees goback to members. Please show your support and join the Gild, or if you haven’tyet renewed your membership – please do so now do so now!

Finally

Brian Mudford, Past Master, and currently the Editor of GHN, has alreadymade public that he wishes to stand down from this role, and has been seekingto find a replacement. He is willing to show someone how to compile the GHNwith the view of them taking on the role of Editor. You don’t necessarily need tolive local to produce the GHN. With access to Skype and the internet you canlive anywhere. If we can’t find a replacement then it’s possible the GHN will nolonger be in the same format. I hope there is someone willing to put the GHNtogether into its current format. If you would like more information on the roleas Editor then please contact Brian or myself.

As I have previously said, in the GHN and at events, we do need more peopleto join in the running of the Gild Court, particularly young people, as well asvolunteers to help out at events. This can include setting up tables, to collectingplates, washing up, or buying raffle prizes. Usually, it is left to the same fewResidents at The Holt who help out – so please try and give a hand – it willreally be appreciated. Experience not necessary, just a willingness to helpwhere needed. In this way it shares the load, keeps events running and makesthe Gild sustainable for the future.

I look forward to seeing you at one of our events during the year, and it goeswithout saying that suggestions and comments are always welcome(lynnroffee@hotmail.com or 07828 965 984)

Lynn Roffee

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Report by Chairman of the Board - Brian MudfordThe Board has implemented a new committeestructure and way of working. This has enabled theBoard to be more productive but has generated moreadministrative work. As a result a new assistant ClerkJane Hammond has been recruited and is nearing theend of successful three month trial period.

The office at the Holt has been knocked throughproviding a larger working area to accommodate theadditional member of staff. The visitor’s

accommodation, located above the office, has been redecorated and fullyspring cleaned (including carpets). This has been put to good use recentlywith visitors from far and wide including Devon, York, Canada, South Africa.

On Wednesday 27th May 2015 I attended the Making Free ceremony at theLeicester Town Hall of Christine Dorothy Brookes in the presence of the RightWorshipful the Lord Mayor of Leicester, Councillor Ted Cassidy MBE. Hernephew, Brett Elson, also attended, he had travelled from Australia for theevent. See photographs inside front cover.

There have been a number of bungalows vacated over recent months. Threebungalows have been extended and a further three have been refurbished,including a full rewire of the electrics, new radiators, new kitchen units andworktops and total redecoration in neutral paint finish as necessary. This willresult in six new residents moving into the Holt by the end of September thisyear. The Board of deputies would like to extend a warm welcome to all thenew residents.

Planning permission to extend a further bungalow has been submitted and isdue imminently. It is planned that building work on this bungalow will becompleted during the second half of 2015

Two standard bungalows are still available to allocate to new residents so ifyou are interested please contact the Clerk or come along to the Openmorning planned for Saturday 15th August 2015, For details see the articleentitled “Our sale continues” on page 10

Other improvements have been made across the estate including fencesbeing repainted, a new handrail to the fishing station down by the canal, theflower beds have been replanted with bedding plants to provide beautifulcolour at the entrance to the estate and near the path going towards the

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patio seating area overlooking the canal. The grounds have looked very goodthroughout 2015 with an especially beautiful showing of roses during the year

Brian Mudford

Chamberlain’s Report by Andy MarriottForeword

The information contained in this report is a summary of the Gilds bank balancesand a snap shot of the Gilds Accounts. It is my continued intention to provide areport for each of the Gild’s quarterly meeting’s using this format whilst alsosupplying the accounts books for viewing by any gild member on request. I wouldalso welcome feedback on this format and suggestions of any changes oradditions members and wardens would find useful.

Membership Arrears

There are still a large number of Gild members who have still not paid for thisyear’s membership 2015 to 2016 and I would like to ask you all too please submityour membership fee’s as a matter of urgency.

Gild Accounts Book

The Gilds Accounts as of Sunday 12th July 2015 have the following figures recorded

Receipts £ 3125.50Standing Orders £ 36.00Payments £ 3696.83Petty Cash £ 222.41

Gild Bank Accounts

We have received the latest Bank Statements from Lloyds Bank.

Business Account as of 9th June 2015 holds £ 3863.67Treasurers Account as of 17th June 2015 holds £ 3232.96These figures do not take into account any monies and cheques banked afterthese dates which will be reflected in the next statements we receive.

Gild Banquet

This year’s annual Banquet figures are recorded below

Income £ 3170.00

Expenditure £ 2756.50

Remaining Balance £ 413.50

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Any Other Business

1. The Gilds Bank account details have now been amended and all signaturesand correspondence have been placed under the current Chamberlain’s nameand address.

2. Owing to the movement of the Bank Account details during the changeover period the Bank Gilds Account’s Statement’s for March 2015 have beenconfirmed by Lloyds Bank as being sent to the old correspondence addresswhich is reflected in the low sum enter against standing orders and the figuresgiven from the current statement. I am hoping to receive these statements inthe very near future.

3. I am unable to report on any actual arrears figures until I have had theopportunity to review March’s Bank statements against the membershipregister.

Andy MarriottFreemen’s Robes

I am currently updating the List of Freemen who have Robes as I have beenmade aware that some Freemen have inherited a robe, and their names arenot on the list. This list is used, from time to time, to contact Freemen to seeif they are available to attend Civic events. At this stage I should point outthat there are only a handful of places available and often we are advised ofcivic events at short notice. If you would like your name added to the list, orwish to check to see if your name is on the list, then please email me atlynnroffee@hotmail.com or telephone 07828 965 984. Even if you don’t wishto participate its useful to know who has a robe.

If for any reason you wish to dispose of a robe, or have may considereddonating it to the Gild, please contact me.

Lynn Roffee

Our Sale ContinuesWe are continuing to sell the advantages and benefits of moving to live on theHolt.

During the coming weeks we will be welcoming six new residents who aremoving into four of our bungalows. Currently we have two vacant bungalowswith a further one becoming available later this year.

To learn more and arrange to view the available bungalows telephone theoffice on 0116 283 4017, or why not come with your family, if you want, to

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our next Holt open morning in the Community Centre on Saturday 15thAugust 10am – 1pm and enjoy a chat, a cup of tea a look at the bungalowsand tour of the estate.

Remember, you have nothing to lose and possibly everything to gain.

Maurice HillChairman of Welfare Committee, Board of Deputies

YOUR GILD NEEDS YOU !!I am writing not as the youngest warden of the Gild but as a Gild member.Although I only took up my freedom three years ago it is clear that if the Gildis not supported by new freemen / lady freemen then within a few yearsthere may not be a Gild at all. This would be a tragedy after all these years.

The Gild needs young blood injected into it, as we need new ideas, trips andevents that people of all ages can enjoy and appreciate. There is only acertain amount that can be done without the support and input from you –the readers of this quarterly journal.

I therefore ask for your help. If anyone has any ideas or suggestions of events,trips etc that you think would be of interest please get in touch with us, theGild is open to suggestions from each and everyone of you. Suggestions willbe considered and discussed at Gild Court meetings and will be reported inthe Gildhall News.

Please send your views and ideas to: leicestergild@hotmail.com

Nick Cave

What do you do on Wednesday afternoons?

Well we have a good time down at the Holt every Wednesday afternoon startingat 2.00pm. One week we have a film (Freemen’s Flicks) and the next week wehave Freemen’s Funtime.

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These alternating afternoons are very much social events with residents of theHolt and friends, but all Freemen and their spouses are welcome. So don’t belonely or if at a loose end come and join usAdmission is only £1 and you get tea/coffee and biscuits.We try to show a variety of films and currently we are waiting to screen “TheTheory of Everything” and “The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel”.The Freemen’s Funtime program consists of stand up bingo, mini beetle drive,boggle, quiz, dominoes, free raffle and more.If you decide to join us, and we do hope you will, make a phone call to the office(0116 283 4017) or to me (0116 289 5394) to find out what’s on that week.We look forward to seeing you.

Maurice HillChairman of Welfare Committee, Board of Deputies

Programme of Future EventsVisit to Beaumanor HallWoodhouse LE12 8TX

on Thursday 20th August 2015 at 6pmThe full tour takes around 2 hours & 30 minutes, which includes a break fortea and biscuits. You will visit the main rooms in the Hall & Cellars and outsideyou will see the buildings erected in WW11 when Beaumanor Hall was a Ystation and go into at least two of them.

Cost is £6.00 per person payable on entry.

If you wish to attend then please contact

Andy Marriott, 10 Goldhill, Leicester LE2 6TQ, Tel: 0116 2442776

Arming a Knight with Jed Jaggard from “UP AN’ AT’EM!”Includes Hot Buffet Supper & Drinks

Saturday 14th November 2015 at Freemen’s Holt -7.30pm£8.50 per person

Hands on History for all the family. A really entertaining evening with Jed Jaggard,and the opportunity to handle the types of clothing worn, and armour used, bya Knight. Please complete booking form included in this issue and return toAndy Marriott 10 Goldhill, Leicester LE2 6TQ, tel: 0116 244 2776

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Visit to the Little Theatre ,Dover Street, Leicester

to see Aladdin on Friday18th December 2015

starting at 7 pm.A perfect Christmas treat for all the

family!

Please book early for this traditional family pantomime - freemen, family and friends.Tickets cost £14 for adults and £12 for children (under 16). Tickets will be allocatedon a first-come, first served basis. Please complete booking form included inthis issue

Please note that we have to return unsold tickets to the Little Theatre by theend of October, so don’t delay in booking your seats.

Christmas Carols with Mince Pies and Mulled WineMonday 21st December 2015 - 7.30pm at Freemen’s Holt

Join us for an informal evening for Gild Members and their families to sing alongto classic Christmas Carols such as “Good King Wenceslas” and “The Holly andthe Ivy”.

Booking details will be the in November Edition of GHN

History of the Freemen of Leicester from their origins in the 12th century to the present day

Saturday 16th January 2016 - 7.30pm at Freemen’s Holt

The first celebration event marking the Gild’s 40th Anniversary will be a lightSupper and a talk given by John Tolton about the history of the Freemen ofLeicester from their origins in the 12th century to the present day. Find outhow we lived with our Norman conquerors, how the Battle of Bosworth changedour lives, how we coped with the Civil War and the Industrial Revolution, andfinally what happened when the freemen lost the right to govern. After the talkthere will be an opportunity for Gild members to raise any questions relating tothe history of the freemen.’

This is a Free event for Member’s (plus 1 guest) and Associate’s only. Bookingdetails will be in the November issue of the GHN

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

History of Freemen – Part 15, The beginning of the end.The period from the succession of James I through the time of Oliver Cromwell and upto the abdication of James II had been a turbulent 85 years for the Corporation ofLeicester. Successive kings had issued new charters regulating the election, the size andcomposition of the corporation, but after all that time the freemen at large still had nosay in the election of the individual members of the corporation. They were still a selfelecting body of people.

In 1689 James II was replaced by William III and Mary as joint sovereigns who werestaunch Protestants and much of what had become law under the Stuarts was removed.The franchise for the election of two Members of Parliament was expanded to includeall freemen in the borough who were not receiving alms and inhabitants who satisfiedcertain qualifications and paid scot and lot (what we would now call rates). This meantthat there was now quite a large electorate in the borough, which was likely to growwith the rapid expansion of Leicester and the creation of new freemen to vote atforthcoming elections.

There were some freemen on the town council who thoroughly disapproved of theremoval of James II and refused to swear allegiance to William and Mary. Adverselythere were those who disapproved of James II and some who were removed from officeeither in 1684 or in 1688 who wanted to return to office. There was, however, nostrong competition to become a member of the Council and at times it was necessaryto fine citizens who refused to take up their places.

Since the middle of the 1600’s public office was restricted to Anglicans and althoughthe law was relaxed temporarily in 1672 and 1687 a permanent change did not takeplace until 1689 under the Toleration Act. After which non-conformists could hold officeproviding they practiced what was referred to as Occasional Conformity. The corporationwere determined to exclude any non-conformists from their number, which didn’t poseany real problem for them as they were self electing. Various non-conformist religionswere taking a hold in Leicester; Presbyterians, Congregationalists, Baptists and Quakersand all required meeting places. One such building (the Great Meeting House) sharedby the Presbyterians and the Independents was built in 1708 and still stands in BondStreet today.

The population of Leicester in 1670 was approximately 5000, by 1712 it had risen 20%to 6000 and by 1730 had reached 8000, a 60% rise in 60 years. A more rapid expansionwas to follow and by 1801 (the year of the first official census) the population hadreached 17,000.

This created a severe logistics problem for the Corporation and also the beginnings of athreat to the freemen and their monopoly of trade in Leicester. The incoming populationneeded housing, work, food and water, and other basic needs.

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In 1670 the first stocking frame was introduced in Leicester and its arrival was met withconsiderable opposition and fears that the machine would take away work from thehand weavers. Indeed, opposition was so great that frames were set up in cellars forconcealment, but the industry soon established itself to give the notion of industry inLeicester a whole new meaning. Frames were expensive and wealthy master-hosiersinvested in large numbers of the frames and leased them out for a weekly rent. Thenew industry expanded rapidly and by 1715 there were 500 to 600 frames in use in andaround Leicester. In the Admission Rolls of Freemen less than 14% of new admissions in1670 were in the weaving industry yet by the 1740’s they numbered over 41% of newadmissions.

The rapid population growth was partly due to the falling infant mortality rate but largelydue to the massive migration of labour from neighbouring areas. Developments infarming methods in the Agricultural Revolution meant that farm workers were losingtheir jobs along with the housing that went with the job. So apart from incoming labourinto the knitwear industry there was also a demand for workers in the building trades.

It is at about this time the red brick was re-introduced into house building. Previouslyhouse construction in Leicester consisted mainly of timber and plaster walls on a plinthof rubble. The return of brickwork allowed for buildings to be constructed quickly andin continuation in terraces, and for taller buildings. One of the first public buildings toreceive the red brick as a form of construction was the Castle where a new front wallwas constructed in the 1690’s and is still there to see today. The first reference to abrickmaker and a bricklayer appear in the Freemen’s records simultaneously in 1696.The new freeman, John Kirk, was described as the son of Joshua Kirk, brickmaker, andthe apprentice of Thomas Hastwell, bricklayer. A small piece of land in the South Fields(close to where the Phoenix Car Park now stands) was utilized for extracting clay andmaking bricks. The Great Meeting house mentioned above was built in 1708 and is afine example of the red brick buildings that were erected at that time but sadly most ofthe red brick buildings constructed in those early days of the rapid development ofLeicester were demolished in Victorian times. But even with all this rapid developmentthe built up areas of Leicester still only constituted less than 50% of the total area insidethe line of the medieval walls.

Leicester was the chief agricultural market for the county and a fair number of residentswere still engaged in farming pursuits just as their medieval forbears had done. TheFreemen enjoyed the rights to pasture cattle in the South Fields but this was threatenedby the desire of some of the members of the Corporation to enclose the South Fieldsand obtaining a much enhanced rent by dividing the fields into separate farms. In 1708the Corporation decided to go forward with obtaining an Act of Parliament for thispurpose but it produced so much anger in the Freemen that the scheme was dropped.550 acres of the fields were leased to three of the members of the Corporation in 1752but this produced such an explosion of violence in the fields and with freemen attackingand damaging the properties of some of the Corporation members. The leases werewithdrawn.

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This illustration draw by James Taylor in 1745 is typical of the brick buildings erected inLeicester in the early 1700’s. Running along the other side of the buildings is GallowtreeGate and the open space is now the covered market.

By this time Leicester had become a centre of industry, although there were no factoriesas such yet. It was strictly cottage industry, Much of the work was carried out in theoutlying areas, particularly the Parish of St Margaret’s, which though technically outsideLeicester was very much dependant on it. Leicester was the headquarters of the masterhosiers, of the men who owned the machines that were rented out to the workers. Oneof the leading hosiers, Richard Gale, hired out 100 frames and put forward to Parliamentthat the Framework Knitters Company in London should control the industry in theprovinces. Fortunately, Parliament considered that the company was attempting tosecure a monopoly and that many of its regulations were illegal. From then on theLondon Company was no longer a force to be reckoned with outside London. But it didshow that the Freemen no longer held its own monopoly on business in Leicester asmany framework knitters did not take their Oath of Freedom.

Even those freemen who formed the Corporation were losing their grip on the controlof affairs, and in order to return the members of parliament of their choice they resortedto swearing in hundreds of outsiders as Freemen of Leicester to swell the number oflike minded voters.

The eventual outcome of all these changes will be revealed in the next Gildhall News.

John Tolton

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Julie Andrews Turning 79

To commemorate her birthday Julie Andrews appeared at Manhattan’s RadioCity Music Hall and performed a number from the ‘Sound of Music’. Here arethe lyrics she used. (Sing it)

Botox and nose drops and needles for knitting,Walkers and handrails and new dental fittings,Bundles of magazines tied up with string, These are a few of my favourite things.

Cadillacs and cataracts, hearing aids and glasses,Polident and Fixodent and false teeth in glasses,Pacemakers, golf carts and porches with swings, These are a few of my favourite things.

When the pipes leak, when the bones creak,When the knees go bad,I simply remember my favourite things, And then I don’t feel so bad.

Hot tea and crumpets and corn pads for bunions,No spicy hot food or food cooked with onions,Bathrobes and heating pads and hot meals they bring, These are a few of my favourite things.

Back pain, confused brains and no need for sinning,Thin bones and fractures and hair that is thinning,And we won’t mention our short shrunken frames, When we remember our favourite things.

When the joints ache, when the hips break,When the eyes grow dim,Then I remember the great life I’ve had, And then I don’t feel so bad.

Julie received a standing ovation from the crowd that lasted over fourminutes and repeated encores.

Submitted by Maurice Hill

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Well, I didn’t know that!!!

There is an old Hotel/Pub in Marble Arch, London , which used to have agallows adjacent to it. Prisoners were taken to the gallows (after a fair trial ofcourse) to be hanged. The horse-drawn dray, carting the prisoner, wasaccompanied by an armed guard, who would stop the dray outside the puband ask the prisoner if he would like ‘’ONE LAST DRINK’’. If he said YES, it wasreferred to as ONE FOR THE ROAD. If he declined, that prisoner was ON THEWAGON.

Here are some facts about the 1500s:

Most people got married in June, because they took their yearly bath in Mayand they still smelled pretty good by June. However, since they were startingto smell, brides carried a bouquet of flowers to hide the body odour. Hencethe custom today of carrying a bouquet when getting married.Baths consisted of a big tub filled with hot water. The man of the house hadthe privilege of the nice clean water, then all the other sons and men, thenthe women and finally the children. Last of all the babies. By then the waterwas so dirty you could actually lose someone in it. Hence the saying, “Don’tthrow the baby out with the bath water!”

Houses had thatched roofs, thick straw piled high, with no wood underneath.It was the only place for animals to get warm, so all the cats and other smallanimals (mice, bugs) lived in the roof. When it rained it became slippery andsometimes the animals would slip and fall off the roof. Hence the saying “It’sraining cats and dogs.”

There was nothing to stop things from falling into the house. This posed a realproblem in the bedroom, where bugs and other droppings could mess upyour nice clean bed. Hence, a bed with big posts and a sheet hung over thetop afforded some protection. That’s how canopy beds came into existence.The floor was dirt. Only the wealthy had something other than dirt. Hence thesaying, “dirt poor.” The wealthy had slate floors that would get slippery in thewinter when wet, so they spread thresh (straw) on floor to help keep theirfooting.

As the winter wore on they added more thresh until, when you opened thedoor, it would all start slipping outside. A piece of wood was placed in theentrance-way. Hence: a thresh hold.

(Well I didn’t know that! - well you do now.)

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Sudoku puzzles

Test your mental agility with ourthree puzzles.

Each row, column and 3x3 boxmust contain all the numbers

1 to 9

The answers can be foundon the next page.

Don’t cheat, wait until youhave had a go at completing

all three puzzles

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Answers to the Sudokupuzzles

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The Priest and the PilotA priest dies and is waiting in line at the Pearly Gates. Ahead ofhim is a guy who’s dressed in sunglasses, a loud shirt, leatherjacket, and jeans. Saint Peter addresses this cool guy, ‘Who areyou, so that I may know whether or not to admit you to the

Kingdom of Heaven ?’

The guy replies, “I am Bruce, retired airline pilot from Toronto.”

Saint Peter consults his list. He smiles and says to the pilot, “Take this silkenrobe and golden staff and enter the Kingdom.”

The pilot goes into Heaven with his robe and staff.

Next, it’s the priest’s turn. He stands erect and booms out, “I am Father Bob,pastor of Saint Mary’s for the last 43 years.”

Saint Peter consults his list. He says to the priest, “Take this cotton robe andwooden staff and enter the Kingdom.”

“Just a minute,” says the good father. “That man was a pilot and he gets asilken robe and golden staff and I get only cotton and wood. How can thisbe?”

“Up here - we go by results,” says Saint Peter.

“When you preached - people slept. When he flew, people prayed.”

Getting olderA distraught senior citizen phoned her doctor’s office. “Is it true,” she wantedto know, “that the medication you prescribed has to be taken for the rest ofmy life?””’Yes, I’m afraid so,”’ the doctor told her.There was a moment of silence before the senior lady replied, “I’mwondering, then, just how serious is my condition because this prescription ismarked ‘NO REFILLS’..”

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An older gentleman was on the operating table awaiting surgery and heinsisted that his son, a renowned surgeon, perform the operation.

As he was about to get the anesthesia, he asked to speak to his son. “Yes, Dad, what is it?”

“Don’t be nervous, son; do your best, and just remember, if it doesn’t go well,if something happens to me, your mother is going to come and live with youand your wife....”

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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 16th October 2015

For your News and Views write to :

Brian Mudford11 Huntsman CloseMarkfieldLeicestershireLE67 9XE

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

23

Top table at the Gild Banquet on Saturday 6th June 2015

Seven Freemen standing outside O’Neils in Loseby Lane Leicester with the LordMayor, Cllr. Ted Cassidy and the Landlord of O’Neils at the Damask Rose

ceremony on 24th June 2015 were Peter Staines, Peter Bates, Mick Ayres, theMaster Lynn Roffee, Eric Critchlow, Jim Manship and Keith Harding

Freemen from

various towns and cities, the Reverend Canon Rosy Fairhurst, the Lord Mayor of Leicester, Cllr Ted

Cassidy and the High Sheriff of Leicestershire, G

ordon Arthur joined with the Freemen of Leicester near to the statue

of King Richard III after their Annual service at the Leicester Cathedral on Sunday morning 7th June 2015

Please reserve ………. places at £8.50 each

.

My name is (CAPITAL LETTERS).……………...........…………………….

My address is (CAPITAL LETTERS)………………………………........….

…………………………………………………………………………....

..........................................................................................................

Postcode……………………….Telephone…………………………….

e-mail address.................................................................................

I enclose a cheque/postal order for £…………….., made payableto “Gild of Leicester Freemen”.

Please send to:

Andy Marriott, 10 Goldhill, Leicester LE2 6TQ. Tel: 0116 2442776

Applications will be dealt with strictly on a first-come, first servedbasis.

BOOKING FORM

Arming a Knight with Jed Jaggard from UP AN’ AT’EM!Includes Hot Buffet Supper & Drinks

Saturday 14th November 2015 at Freemen’s Holt -7.30pm

Please reserve………. adult places at £14.00 each

............ children places (under 16) at £12.00 each

My name is (CAPITAL LETTERS).……………...........…………………….

My address is (CAPITAL LETTERS)………………………………........….

…………………………………………………………………………....

..........................................................................................................

Postcode……………………….Telephone…………………………….

e-mail address.................................................................................

I enclose a cheque/postal order for £…………….., made payableto “Gild of Leicester Freemen”.

Please send to:

Andy Marriott, 10 Goldhill, Leicester LE2 6TQ. Tel: 0116 2442776

Applications will be dealt with strictly on a first-come, first servedbasis.

BOOKING FORM

Visit to the Little Theatre, Dover Street, LeicesterTo see Aladdin on 18th December 2015

starting at 7 pm

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)OrI 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:

Andy Marriott, 10 Goldhill, Leicester LE2 6TQ. Tel: 0116 2442776

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 = £………….

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: Andy Marriott, 10 Goldhill, Leicester LE2 6TQ.Tel: 0116 2442776