The Worshipful Company of Butchers achieved a new first at Friday’s Court Meeting when three new Freemen were admitted to the Company via the Zoom video platform.
It was the first time modern technology has been harnessed to facilitate the traditional process of candidates being introduced, proposed and seconded to the Court before being accepted, then swearing their allegiance to the Company.
All agreed that the ceremony had been conducted with the sincerity and emotion associated with the event and the tradition handed down over the centuries.
The process continues when the new Freemen, Tim Finney, Dr Jane Guise and Andrew Duff register their status at the Chamberlain of the Corporation of London’s Office to become Freemen of the City of London before returning to Court and being clothed at a formal ceremony. This will include a welcome from The Master and take place at a future Court Lunch at Butchers’ Hall.
Clearly the final part of the ceremony must await the reopening of the Hall but, with other candidates in the pipeline and the technology proving successful, the next clothing and welcoming ceremony at Butchers’ Hall promises to be a real celebration… watch this space!