The Chairman Writes

Author: Peter Smith

Since the last Journal there has been much activity. The annual Round‑Up took place late September. It nearly didn’t happen as a formal event involving the Freemen, but ended up being a rather unusual experience for myself and the Sheriff, Cllr James Fry.

Common Hall held on 14th October was, as you all will know, an infrequent formal event Chaired by the Lord Mayor. It generated some interesting discussion and ideas from those in attendance and culminated in the appointment of our new committee, the main reason for the event.

I was invited by the City to be involved in the rather quirky traditional inspection of the City Wall in October. This is held every three years within the grounds of New College.

The Remembrance Sunday service is something I sadly could not attend as I was abroad, but our Vice Chair, Chris Butterfield, represented the Freemen in laying a wreath.

The annual meal in December was well attended (over 40 Freemen and partners and our special guest the Lord Mayor) and held at the Vincent’s Club in Oxford. Thanks again go to Stephen Eeley for securing it, and to Simon and Geoff Gibbs on the committee for the important administration in publicising it and organising bookings and payments.

January saw my attendance at the poignant Holocaust Memorial event in the Town Hall. March saw the annual new Admissions ceremony where twenty two were admitted to the Freedom. They are warmly welcomed and listed later in the Journal.

My aim is to now focus on matters such as raising our public profile including through use of social media, considering the potential to resurrect the apprentice award scheme set up originally by John Sanders, but which was then severely impacted by COVID-19, seeking your views on our future direction and activity, and on a practical note, seek to ensure the City finalise a long awaited Management Plan for the Meadow. I am also very keen to encourage more Freemen to become involved in supporting our events, and contributing content to our Journal and pending social media platforms.