Former HRB Presenter Given Freedom Of The City Of London

Former Hospital Radio Barnet presenter, Dean Martin who lives in Totteridge and presents Gold Control across the UK (Mon-Thurs 8-10pm + Sun 3-6pm) Weekend Warm Up (Fri 8pm- midnight) and Party Classics (Sat 6pm-midnight) today (Tuesday 17th March) was presented the Freedom of the City of London at the Guildhall London.

The honour entitles Dean to a number of ancient quirky privileges although they are more a product of collective memory than of documented evidence. They include the right to herd sheep over London bridge, to go about the City with a drawn sword, and if convicted of a capital offence, to be hung with a silken rope. Other advantages are said to have included the right to avoid being press-ganged, to be married in St Paul's Cathedral, buried in the City and to be drunk and disorderly without fear of arrest.

Dean said "I am delighted to receive this unusual honour. The City of London is a unique locality and I am determined to contribute what I can to life in the area".

Until 1835 the Freedom of the City - together with membership of one of the ancient guilds which were the forerunners of today's Livery Companies - was essential to anyone who wished to exercise a trade in the City.

Freedom ceremonies take place in the Chamberlain's Court at Guildhall and are usually conducted by the Clerk of the Court or his Assistant. Freemen, their nominators and guests are escorted to the Court by the Beadle, who wears the traditional top hat and tails. The Clerk of the Court wears a silk gown, and if the Chamberlain performs the ceremony, he wears the traditional ermine-trimmed gown.

The prospective Freeman is invited to read the ' Declaration of a Freeman', and to sign the Freeman's Declaration Book. The Copy of the Freedom - a parchment document with the name of the recipient beautifully inscribed in a special ink - is presented by the Clerk, together with a copy of the 'Rules for the Conduct of Life' which date from the mid-18th century.