Photos form the recent Guild Visit to the North east, visiting Bishop Aukland, Kynren and Beamish.

Photos from the recent Assize of Ale.

​On the 12th of September the guild had a tour of the Drax power plant, this was both very enjoyable and informative, Starting this year’s calendar of events with a high.

​Well is seems so long since Sally hung the chain of office round my neck and I entered into the world of being Master of the York Guild of Building. Folk keep saying how eventful the year is and how it is difficult to prepare yourself for. In my short time as Master I wholeheartedly agree.

I suppose my first event, as Master, was being invited to the livery dinner at the Merchant Taylors Hall, I was a bit apprehensive as I'm not very keen on liver but the Master, Robert Porter, was very welcoming and the speaker was interesting talking about the Army's action in dealing with the Ebola Crisis in Sierra Leone. I was introduced to something called a loving cup. This is a communal cup of wine passed around the table where the neighbour of the drinker has to protect the back of the person drinking. This was made quite sinister when the army speaker picked up a knife from the table to assist with the task!

The following day was glorious and I helped giving out prizes for the Blades Cup at Fulford Golf Club followed by an excellent meal and some great company.

The Scouts / Guides activity day went off very well helped by good weather. We had 22 participants in 5 teams and each team built their own oven. All were successful though 2 partially collapsed when the formwork was removed, one of which was caused by Noel and so didn’t really count. The 2 teams with the collapsed ovens soon loosely rebuilt their ovens and all ovens were fired up with great success. Pizzas were cooked in all ovens and were enjoyed by all including myself, Thanks must go to York College for the loan of benches and tools, to York Handmade Brick Company for the bricks and Houghton’s for the formwork used by the teams. A good fun day enjoyed by all.
​John Niklaus