A very 21st Century Charter Day

Charter Day is the most important event in our annual calendar and one usually full of ceremony largely unchanged since medieval times. But COVID-19 restrictions have impacted this ancient tradition along with everything else, leading to some distinctly 21st century innovations being required!

Held on the nearest Wednesday to the 24th June (the feast of the Nativity of our patron saint John the Baptist), in other years Charter Day begins with the swearing in of the new Master and other Company Officers at the Hall followed by a procession through the City to All Saints Pavement, where the Civic Party joins us for the annual Church Service. The Company and our guests then return in procession to the Hall for tea.

Due to social distancing guidance, the Hall being temporarily closed, and churches not yet permitted to run communal services, some radical rethinking was required for 2020's special day.

For (hopefully!) this one year only, the new Master, Jonathan Leach, and his consort Trish Leach, Senior Warden Anthony Dixon and Junior Warden Andrew Black travelled to the Hall in their ceremonial (and very hot!) robes for photographs, while the swearing in ceremonies were conducted in exceptionally good humour via Zoom.

Afterwards members who should have been enjoying tea in the Hall gardens each celebrated with refreshments in the comfort of their own homes.

Hopefully Charter Day will return to its usual format in 2021, but 2020 will live long in the memory of all who participated!

The Master of the Company of Merchant Taylors in York 2020 - 2021, Jonathan Leach, and his consort Trish Leach