Two respected funeral professionals have been honoured by the opportunity to govern two of Richmond’s most ancient guilds.
John Blenkiron & Sons' funeral operations manager Carl Tate, who is also a town councillor for Richmond, has recently begun his year in office as warden to The Company of Mercers, Grocers and Haberdashers, while his colleague, funeral service operative Keith Jeffery has just finished his year in office as the Master of the Fellmongers Company of Richmond.
Both Carl and Keith are well-known members of the community having worked in the funeral industry for ten and 22 years respectively.
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With their origins in the Middle Ages, the guilds are charitable organisations administered by active committees, which are dedicated to helping Richmond prosper. They do so by providing support to local businesses and by issuing grants to other charities and voluntary organisations in the North Yorkshire area.
Carl, who is also a Freeman to the Fellmongers Company of Richmond, said: “It is a real honour to be a part of one of the most prominent and long-established guilds in the area.
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"I live in Richmond, so I share the guild’s commitment to supporting local companies that are the lifeblood of our community.
“To guard against losing local businesses, ongoing investment and support is essential. It not only helps to create a more vibrant and varied commercial environment for shoppers, making it more likely they will shop locally, but also creates much-need job opportunities for local residents.”
Commenting on his past year in office, Keith added: “It has been an absolute privilege to represent an important local guild at various functions around the country, which has given me the opportunity to meet some wonderful people.”
John Blenkiron & Sons has funeral homes in Richmond, Barnard Castle and Catterick.
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