Freemen of the City of Oxford - Annual Dinner 2018

A mild and dry evening made the journey to Kirtlington a pleasant one, with a warm welcome once inside the doors. I am still trying to fathom how this village got this name?

A Christmas theme ran through the Club house and the beautifully decorated dining room looked a real picture. The bar staff quickly dispensed drinks and the chatter levels rose to ever higher levels but in a courteous manner. The Lord Mayor, Councillor Colin Cook, and The Sheriff, Councillor Craig Simmons, arrived together along with their charming ladies. Their chauffeur also took photos for the record.

The club provided a gavel this year and the sound of this brought us to be seated for dinner. Our Chairman welcomed everyone to this gathering and introduced our special guests.

We were very fortunate and grateful for visiting Freemen officers from Gloucester and Coventry. What friends we have. It was the first time our Chairman had met up again with the Freemen of Coventry since their own Banquet in Coventry last May.

Grace was offered and the excellent waitress service began immediately. All Christmas Fayre was on offer but brilliant alternatives were available including Pan fried Salmon, Cannelloni and, to finish, White Chocolate with Pistachio Profiteroles and Cheese and Biscuits. Christmas Crackers were pulled to great delight.

The Toast to the Queen was well received and reciprocated. Speeches were made in reply to toasts to the City, our Guests and to the Freemen. The Lord Mayor recalled the splendid unveiling of the Port Meadow Memorial on May 23rd 2018 to the seventeen airman killed in training during the First World War. Mostly under the guise of the Royal Flying Corps and also under the Royal Air Force. It was exactly one hundred years since the formation of the RAF. The Lord Mayor spoke of the excitement of the school children present when the replica aircraft from that era was started up and the huge crackling of the engine resounded around the river side picnic site.

Our Sheriff is also a Freemen of Oxford and jolly proud of it. He tells me he may be holding another civic office this year. Look out for that.

Our Chairman thanked everyone for the considerable and heartfelt sympathy and support in response to the sudden loss of our beloved Shirley. She always had a warm smile and warm words for all Freemen and is missed beyond belief.

The Raffle was excellent and even I won a lovely prize. The Freemen of Gloucester, who traditionally never win on our Raffle, really filled their boots. Donors of Raffle prizes were thanked for their wonderful generosity.

Our grateful thanks to Bryan Keen, our Hon.Entertainment Secretary, for organising the evening’s festivities. Didn’t he do well!