Foundation Dinner Meeting at the Heronston Hotel
Mon, Nov 4th 2024 at 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Guest speaker: Martin Hooker - The Freeman of Llantrisant from Crecy to today.
District Governor Malcolm Hallewell and Past District Governor Carol Hallewell attended
A well attended dinner with a packed agenda started with Acting President Sue Cassidy performing the pleasant task of inducting Ceri Griffiths, wife our our immediate past President Win, as an Associate Member of Rotary Bridgend.
Paul Cheadle then gave a brief overview of Rotary Foundation, Rotary's own charity, and showed a short video highlighting some of the key activities Foundation enables across the globe, including disease prevention, education and conflict support. Rotary Bridgend have just made a donation of £500 to Rotary Foundation and a raffle on the night raised a further £215.
Hopkin Joseph then introduced Martin Hooker who gave a most interesting talk about the Freemen of Llantrisant.
Martin talked about the history, going back to the 11th century, and the charter of 1346 which set the boundaries of the Ancient Borough of Llantrisant. The boundary stretches seven miles and is walked every seven years by up to 10,000 people. Martin spoke about the rights of Freemen including trade, freedom from tolls and the right to graze animals on the 284 acres of common land.
Llantrisant is now twinned with Crecy and Martin explained about Welsh involment on the 1346 Battle of Crecy - the Black Army of Llantrisant who were renowned archers and transformed warfare at Crecy.
The Ancient Borough was abolished and the Town Trust established in 1889 to manage the freemen's roll, manage the common and take custody of the Mace. The Trust also maintains the Guildhall which is now open as a heritage and visitor centre.
Mike Lewis gave thanks on bahalf of Rotary Bridgend to Martin for a very enlightening and well presented talk.
District Governor Malcolm Hallewell then talked of the challenges faced by our District and the plans he is enacting during his term of office. Malcolm also talked about the iportance of the Rotary Foundation and encouraged all to support this key charity. Malcolm also confirmed that the District Conference will be held in Llanelli from Friday 25th April to Sunday 27th.
