New Drapers Master sworn in
A new Master of the Shrewsbury Drapers Company was sworn in during the Charter Night celebrations held recently at Drapers Hall in Shrewsbury.
Mary Rose Bone became the new master and Dr Tom Taylor was installed as senior warden and Christine Holmes, the former High Sheriff, was installed as junior warden.
Shrewsbury Drapers have owned and maintained 25 homes for the elderly in Shrewsbury for many years in three different locations - Fairford Place, Coleham, St Giles and Holy Cross, Abbey Foregate. Fundraising efforts over the past decade have culminated in the planning and building of Drapers Place, Abbey Foregate providing an additional 25 homes. The 50 almshouses now cater for both single and double occupancy and are ideally situated close to amenities and the centre of Shrewsbury.
There are approximately 80 Freemen (members), all volunteers, who help run the almshouses and enable Drapers Hall to be used as a fine dining restaurant with boutique hotel above. In addition there are fund raising activities to support the almshouses. A further area of activity is in sponsoring and running two annual textile competitions at St Mary's Church, Shrewsbury to reflect Shrewsbury Drapers' origins in the wool trade. One competition is an open competition for adults and students. The other is a young competition for those in Years 7 to 11 inclusive.
Shrewsbury Drapers Company is one of a handful of guilds in the United Kingdom that has been occupying its medieval Hall (completed in 1576) continuously since before the Great Fire of London. Some original oak furniture made for Drapers Hall has been there since the time of King Charles I and is used in the restaurant.
