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PAST MASTER OF THE GILD - MRS SUSAN DUDLEY-SMITH
(GILD YEAR – AGM July 2005 - AGM June 2006)

As Master of the Gild of Freemen of the City of York I welcome you to our web site and trust that you find your visit both interesting and valuable.

Prior to taking up the honour of Master, I served on the Court of the Gild in various positions for about five years and now lead that Court with much pride as the Gild’s face both within and without the City.

Our Gild has a history now 53 years old, although the Freedom, which we represent, can be traced back to medieval times and has been handed down through generations. The Gild itself has evolved and adapted and will continue to adjust to the changing times in which we live.

It is our intention to be able to fulfil the promise of our ‘Mission Statement’ serving both the needs of Freemen and of the City.

In looking to our future I need only look to my own two sons, both of who have taken their Freedom, and will, I hope, also become involved with the Gild and its charitable works.

The master accompanies her two sons as they receive their Freedom at the Freedom Court in York Guildhall.

My own chosen beneficiary charities in my year of office are ‘Riding for the Disabled Association’ (RDA) with which I have been associated for many years. RDA provides riding and carriage driving experience for disabled children and adults. My second chosen charity is the current restoration appeal for the South face of York Minster.

Please enjoy the contents of the remainder of this site and browse our pages at your leisure. We are always interested in your comments and will be pleased to consider any ideas you may like to suggest.

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