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Reverend Canon John Shelley Nurser PhD

Reverend Canon John Shelley Nurser PhD

Born May 1929 at Northampton, this virtuous cleric has been committed in his love of humanity and for its freedom. His academic achievements have been recognised internationally with considerable laurels. These accomplishments include recipient of the ‘Templeton Freedom Award’ in 1994 and in 2007, the ‘Albert Outler Prize’ from the American Society of Church Historians. He was a Commonwealth Fellow at the Harvard Division School 1956-57. Educated Peterhouse Cambridge 1947-50 and 1953-56 (Lieutenant Royal Navy 1950-53) Master of Arts and…

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Gloucester’s Civic Administration

Gloucester’s Civic Administration

NOTES extracted from VCH Among Gloucester’s courts, the hundred court met every Monday, swore in constables, freemen, and officers of the trade companies, and tried civil actions involving citizens. From the mid 16th century, however, the court was in decline. More active was the piepowder court held at the Tolsey by the sheriffs on market days. That was the main court of pleas in the city, hearing a good deal of litigation and with a number of attorneys in attendance. The frankpledge jury…

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Gloucester Hams GLAF Visit

Gloucester Hams GLAF Visit

Proposed Site Visit by GLAF                                                         Location: Gloucester Vale and the Water Meadow ‘Hams’ Western boundary of Gloucester City Purpose: To review the popularity and amenity conditions of this historically important river valley landscape, with consideration to maintaining and enhancing/encouraging its rural attraction. The site in mind is located from Lower Westgate Street and by the Westgate bridge over the Severn moving along footpaths toward the Docklands and area of Llanthony Priory relics. These meadows have an important role, both as…

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YMCA BRITISH BOYS FOR BRITISH FARMS

YMCA BRITISH BOYS FOR BRITISH FARMS

Training Scheme 1932 – 1968 Sir George Williams, founder of the YMCA in London in 1844, was the youngest of eight brothers who were brought up by their parents on Ashway Farm, Dulverton in Somerset. George Williams was born on 21 October 1821. By the outbreak of the First World War the YMCA was well known in Britain and in many places overseas through its clubs, hostels and for its educational work. The YMCA is now represented around the world…

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Lammas Lands (half-yearly land)

Lammas Lands (half-yearly land)

In various parts of the countryside you may come upon the historical term Lammas-land. Usually meadow lands, they are a form of common land where right-holders are entitled to pasture their beasts following the harvest of hay. The period for grazing (or open period) runs from Lammas Day (12 August) until Lady Day on 25 March or in some cases, until 6 April. This custom dates back to the Anglo-Saxon hlaf-mas or ‘loaf-mas’ that ran from 1st August until 1st…

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House of Lords

House of Lords

The House of Lords (House of Peers) is the upper house of Parliament situated in the Palace of Westminster. Membership of the Peers (as equals) is made up of Lords Spiritual and Lords Temporal. Lords Spiritual are led by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York who are primate of all England. The occupants of the five ‘great sees’ include London, Durham and Winchester as Lords of Parliament. Of the remaining 35 English diocesan bishops, the 21 most senior (by length…

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Heart of Oak

Heart of Oak

The English Oak The oak tree is seen to symbolise Englishness in much the same way as the British Bulldog is muscular, strong and friendly. Quercus robur, the common pedunculate oak is our native tree. Anciently, the druids worshiped in oak groves and many traditions, from marriage ceremonies to the burning of the ‘yule log’ at Christmas, have their connections with this symbolic tree. Not only do ‘mighty oaks spring from tiny acorns’ these trees provide a myriad of life…

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Vice President, Freemen of England and Wales (A brief profile)

Vice President, Freemen of England and Wales (A brief profile)

Alan Shelley BA (Hons) DLA FRSA               Dip IM (IWM) Eng.Tech. (CEI) MCIM FSTD Retired Industrial Manager (Linotype Co.) Qualified, apprenticed Engineer, Bell Punch Co. (Sumlock Comptometers) Born March 1940, Harrow, Middlesex.  Married, with two daughters and four grandchildren. Chartered Free Burgess and enrolled by patrimony, Freeman of Sudbury, Suffolk. (Corporate franchise 1554).       Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths and Guildsman of the City of London. FEW 1978 – (Admitted by letter from Harry Ward) Individual Member of ‘Freemen…

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The Association of the Freemen of England & Wales Its history, aims and objectives

The Association of the Freemen of England & Wales Its history, aims and objectives

The ‘Freemen of England and Wales’ is an association of Guilds (Gilds) or similar bodies, and of individual freemen from towns and cities throughout England and Wales. The objects of the Association are:- To advance by research and publication, knowledge of the history and legal custom of the boroughs of England and Wales and of the legal institution of the Freedom. To support and protect the legal institution of the freedom within each of those several places in England and…

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The Duty of a Freeman

The Duty of a Freeman

It is the duty of all Freemen to uphold their oath of admission. It is beholden on all Freemen to understand the basic principles and background of their freedom. It is the responsibility of every Freeman to understand their function and role. It is particularly necessary that all Gild/Guild Officers, Wardens or Representatives fully understand their position, purpose and responsibilities. What does this mean? What is a borough freeman, who were the free burgesses, what was the Guild Merchant? What…

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