The Master

Mr Ian Kelly

Master 2011 – 2012

On Shrove Tuesday, I was privileged to be sworn in as Master in the historical setting of the chapel of Merchant Adventurer’s Hall, Fossgate. On this occasion the Gild was honoured by the presence of the London Master, the Princess Royal.

I was evacuated during the war and returned to London in 1946 to settle in Islington. I joined the meat industry in 1960 as a trainee with W. Weddel & Co. Ltd. Based at their Head Office in Smithfield.

I spent 28 happy year with W. Weddel & Co. however when in 1988 they decided to relocate to Liverpool I found I was unable to sever my London roots and left them to become a London Director of Dublin-based Agra Trading Ltd. And following a subsequent take over a Director of Angliss UK Ltd.

For many years I have been Vice President of the International Meat Trade Association.

I joined the Worshipful Company of Butchers in 1984 where I am warden and the Providitor. I am also a Trustee and Past Festival Chairman of the Butchers and Drovers Charitable Institution.

Kyung Ae and I married in 2000, in the 12th century Priory Church of Saint Bartholomew the Great Smithfield where I am Churchwarden and Kyung Ae is a member of the serving team.

I take a great interest in Victorian history and architecture, which has led me to be chairman of Highgate Cemetery Ltd. My membership of the Company of Arts Scholars Dealers and Collectors also enables me to share with those involved in fine arts.

My other great love is Arsenal Football Club where I have a season ticket and seldom miss a home game.

Past Masters

The immediate past Master is Mr Ray Ballard.

1 1943 – 1944 WrightF.
2 1944 – 1945 Wright W.
3 1945 – 1946 Spence J.J.
4 1946 – 1947 Wood J.A.
5 1947 – 1948 Bowman J.W.
6 1948 – 1949 CrombieG.N.P.
7 1949 – 1950 Sowery H.J.
8 1950 – 1951 PhillipsJ.V.
9 1951 – 1952 Foster H.
10 1952 – 1953 JeffreyJ.
11 1953 – 1954 ThompsonH.
12 1954 – 1955 Nicholson J.J.
13 1955 – 1956 Bowman R.E.
14 1956 – 1957 ClaytonC.J.
15 1957 – 1958 MoorJ.J.
16 1958 – 1959 WoodheadF.
17 1959 – 1960 Hudson J.W.
18 1960 – 1961 Wright D.
19 1961 – 1962 Wright N. L.
20 1962 – 1963 Rank T.L.
21 1963 – 1964 Linfoot W.J.
22 1964 – 1965 Scott G.
23 1965 – 1966 Clayton B.R.
24 1966 – 1967 Hawkswell L.
25 1967 – 1968 Wood A.D.
26 1968 – 1969 Foster A.E.
27 1969 – 1970 Curry S.
28 1970 – 1971 Ellerker C.J.
29 1971 – 1972 Harrison W.R.
30 1972 – 1973 Gillies J.S.
31 1973 – 1974 Bell A.M.
32 1974 – 1975 Green V.E.
33 1975 – 1976 Simpson J.
34 1976 – 1977 Pearce E.B.
35 1977 – 1978 Snaith J.W.B.
36 1978 – 1979 Gibson J.B.
37 1979 – 1980 Jackson C.R.
38 1980 – 1981 Hampshire K.L.
39 1981 – 1982 Reader J. F.
40 1982 – 1983 Hudson R.
41 1983 – 1984 Nicholson A.G.
42 1984 – 1985 Imison P.C.F.
43 1985 – 1986 Bird G.G.
44 1986 – 1987 Gates J.
45 1987 – 1988 Walker E.N.
46 1988 – 1989 Kemp E.
47 1989 – 1990 Squires A.
48 1990 – 1991 Seatory M.
49 1991 – 1992 Gillam J.
50 1992 – 1993 Wright A. N.
51 1993 – 1994 Stobart K.
52 1994 – 1995 Nattrass J.
53 1995 – 1996 Nicholson J.B.
54 1996 – 1997 Keenan J.P.
55 1997 – 1998 Yeomans J. F.
56 1998 – 1999 Wheatley B.
57 1999 – 2000 Morris C.
58 2000 – 2001 Stonehouse G.
59 2001 – 2002 Stephenson J.
60 2002 – 2003 Cockburn J. L.
61 2003 – 2004 Brown D.
62 2004 – 2005 Barker S.
63 2005 – 2006 Pearce R.
64 2006 – 2007 Megson P.
65 2007 – 2008 Stobart P.
66 2008 – 2009 Stobart N.
67 2009 – 2010 Hampshire R.J.
68 2010 – 2011 Ballard S.R.

New Items & Updates

March 29th 2011
Gild News The Gild is honoured to welcome HRH The Princess Royal as an honorary member.

October 25th 2010
See a selection of photos of the York Mystery Plays 2010 on Flickr.

April 26th 2010
Get ready for The York Mystery Plays, 11 and 18 July 2010

February 5th 2008
Shrove Tuesday launch
for Gild's new website