Pictures from the Past

INSTALLATION OF THE FIRST MASTER OF THE GUILD 1946


Installation of the first Master of the Guild in 1946 Cllr Alec Turner by the Mayor of Coventry Cllr Lee-Gordon with Lord Iliffe on the left the Lord Mayor's Secretary M Stover and Sir Edward Wilshaw, Master of the Guild of Freemen of the City of London seated far right.

Other people who were at the ceremony in 1946

L to R. Sir Miles Thomas ; The Lady Mayoress ; Lady Thomas ; Aubrey Riley ; Mayor Cllr Lee Gordon ; The Master Alec Turner ; Lord Iliffe ; Sir Edward Wilshaw ; Mr Francis Sully

The photograph shows the President of the Guild His Worshipful the Mayor, Alderman G Briggs J.P. and Mr Storer, with candidates for the Freemanship at a Court of Admission in 1947. It is interesting to note that 3 of the candidates are in Army uniform, they would have been given special leave to attend. It was quite usual for apprentices to be called up to do their National Service the following month after finishing their apprenticeship The picture appeared in Guildsman No 3 June 1947

This picture was also taken from Guildsman No 3 June 1947 and shows the last Half-Yearly Freemen's Meeting at St Mary's Hall in December 1946 The Trustees are on the dais on the right and few of the Freemen in the hall are seen on the left

THE CEREMONY OF THE LOVING CUP





This picture was taken at when the Guild revived the 16th century of the Ceremony of the Loving Cup after.

It was taken in the Council Chamber at the first Guild Admission Court when Cllr Harry Weston was Master of the Guild (1952-1954) seen on the left with the Mayor Cllr B H Gardener drinking and the Deputy Master L. F Yates on the right. The ceremony is still enacted today.

The actual Guild Admission Court showing the 22 Freemen taking the Oath to become members of the City of Coventry Freemen's Guild.