Just over a month after having being installed as Lord Mayor I found myself attending your own Gild Hall in Bedern to take up office as President of the Gild and witness the new Master taking her oath.

This very special year is flying by. We have not only had Royal Ascot at York, the VE Celebrations and of course the enthronement of the New Archbishop of York.

These events have been the decorated icing on the cake, but we have also attended so many other wonderful events, not least our connections with all the Guilds and Companies of York, where we have been made to feel so very welcome on every occasion, not only by the Masters, but by the Guild members themselves. This is something that I will always treasure.

More recently I had a visit from residents of York, Australia, who presented me with a fine oil painting. I wish I had had the chance to read a back copy of your Gild News as I now know that an article appeared in a back issue on this very town. (Future Lord Mayors take note, when dealing with the Gild of Freemen, ask to see back copies, they may come in useful!).

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for the extremely generous donation of £300.00, for my charities (these being St Leonards and the Macmillan Nurses), which the Master presented to me in the court held in the Mansion House, during January.

I hope the next four months continue to bind the bonds between the Gild and the office of Lord Mayor.

Janet Greenwood
President