8 February 2010
Andrew Strauss receives Freedom of the City of London
Andrew Strauss will receive the
Freedom of the City of London on Thursday 1 April at Mansion
House, the Lord Mayor’s official residence in the Square Mile.
The England cricket captain’s Freedom has been sponsored by Lord
Mayor Nick Anstee and Sheriff of the City of London, Peter J Cook,
both of whom are enthusiastic followers of the game.
The ceremony, which will be presided over by Murray Craig, Clerk
to the Chamberlain’s Court at the City of London Corporation, will
begin with the Declaration of a Freeman pledging allegiance to HM
The Queen and the Lord Mayor (which is read aloud by Andrew) and
end with him being greeted as a ‘Citizen of London’ and presented
with his framed Freedom certificate. After the ceremony, the Lord
Mayor and Sheriff Cook will host a private lunch at Mansion House
for Andrew and his guests.
The Cricket Foundation’s Chance to shine campaign, which aims to educate
two million children in state schools through cricket, is one of
the main beneficiaries of this year’s
Lord
Mayor’s Appeal. Andrew Strauss helped to launch the initiative
in 2005 and is expected to be among the high profile international
cricketers to attend the ‘World of Cricket’ dinner at Guildhall in
June, which is one of several cricket-themed Appeal events.
Speaking before his Freedom ceremony, Andrew Strauss said:
"I am delighted and honoured to receive the Freedom of the City
of London. To receive this for playing and captaining my country,
which I feel very fortunate to do, really does round off a great
year and so I would like to thank those who have made this
possible."
Nick Anstee, Lord Mayor of the City of London, said:
"As an avid cricket fan, I am delighted to sponsor Andrew’s
Freedom, which recognises his exceptional achievements - both as a
batsman and the team’s captain - and of course, last year’s
thrilling Ashes victory. Andrew’s commitment to charity echoes my
own belief that everyone, whether their skills lie on the trading
floor or at the crease, should give something back to society."
Peter J Cook, Sheriff of the City of London, said:
“I admire Andrew greatly. He has shown dedication and
determination, as well as a firm commitment to setting the highest
possible standards in the game. All these qualities, as well as
regaining the Ashes, make him a perfect candidate to receive the
Freedom of the City of London.”
The Freedom of the City of London is believed to have begun in
1237 and enabled recipients to carry out their trade. Today, people
are nominated for (or apply for) the Freedom, because it offers
them a link to the historic City of London. The Freedom is also the
method by which the City of London Corporation pays tribute to
individuals whom it believes are deserving of recognition. However,
many of the traditional privileges associated with the Freedom,
including driving sheep over London Bridge and being drunk and
disorderly in the City without fear of arrest, no longer exist.
Ends
Notes to editors
Press photographers and journalists wishing to attend Andrew
Strauss’s post-ceremony photo call at Mansion House from 12.20pm -
12.40pm are asked to contact Andrew Buckingham (see below) at the
City of London Corporation.
The full address of Mansion House is Walbrook, London, EC4N 8BH.
Nearest tube for Mansion House is Bank.
About the City of London Corporation:
The City of London Corporation is a uniquely diverse organisation.
It supports and promotes the City as the world leader in
international finance and business services and provides local
services and policing for those working in, living in and visiting
the Square Mile. It also provides valued services to London and the
nation. These include the Barbican Centre and the Guildhall School
of Music & Drama; the Guildhall Library and Art Gallery and
London Metropolitan Archive; a range of education provision
(including three City Academies); five Thames bridges (including
Tower Bridge and the Millennium Bridge); the Central Criminal Court
at Old Bailey; over 10,000 acres of open spaces (including
Hampstead Heath and Epping Forest), and three wholesale food
markets. It is also London’s Port Health Authority and runs the
Animal Reception Centre at Heathrow. It works in partnership with
neighbouring boroughs on the regeneration of surrounding areas and
the City Bridge Trust, which it oversees, donates more than £15m to
charity annually.
Press enquiries
Andrew Buckingham, Press Officer, City of London
Corporation
Tel: 020 7332 1452 / Mobile: 07795 333 060
Email:
andrew.buckingham@cityoflondon.gov.uk