Freeman of the City of London

Garry Baines, director of Walsall based Frank Baines Saddlery, has been made a Freeman of the City of London.

Freedom of the City is one of the oldest surviving traditional ceremonies and was believed to have been first presented in 1237. Historically, a ‘freeman’ meant someone who was protected by their town or city and had the right to trade, with members of a Guild or Livery providing goods or services to the highest possible standards. Freedom of the City remains a unique part of London’s history.

Garry attended a ceremony at the Guild Hall in London in November 2018 and follows in the footsteps of his father, Frank Baines, who was made a Freeman of the City in 1990. Garry is a member of the Worshipful Company of Saddlers and the Society of Master Saddlers.

Garry and his sister, Victoria, officially took over the business in 2016 and continue the tradition of hand-making high quality saddles using only the finest materials which are sold across the UK and overseas.

Pictured: Garry Baines (centre) receiving his award from Murray Craig, the Clerk of the Chamberlain’s Court (left), with the Beadle (right).