Honorary freemen, aldermen and officers
Honorary Officers
High Steward
High Steward is an honorary title. The honour is given by the councils or charter trustees of certain towns and cities in England. The position was originally a judicial position with local powers. By the seventeenth century the role became largely ceremonial.
The title is usually awarded for life. In some cases, it has become associated with a particular peerage title. Guildford is one of 24 communities in England that has the right to award the status of High Steward.
The office of High Steward in Guildford seems to have emerged in the 1570s. However, no statute or charter established it. It appears to have been an honorary post given to a courtier to look after the borough's interests at the Royal Court. The only duty of the High Steward is the tradition of presenting a plum cake to any member of the Royal family visiting Guildford.
The current High Steward of Guildford is Rupert Bullard, Eighth Earl of Onslow.
Honorary Recorder
Over many centuries, a Recorder was appointed as the presiding Judge for Guildford Quarter Sessions. Over the years, many notable Queen's/King's Counsel had held the position of Recorder of Guildford. These included Sir Edward Marshall Hall, James Cassells and Derek Curtis-Bennett.
Quarter Sessions were abolished in 1972. However, the former Borough Council decided to exercise power, under Section 54 of the Courts Act 1971, to appoint an Honorary Recorder of Guildford.
Honorary Recorder is an honorary role and the post-holder has no specific duties. They usually attend civic ceremonial events such as the Annual Council meeting, the annual Remembrance Service, and the Service for the Judiciary.
Past Honorary Recorders of Guildford are:
- His Honour Judge Richard Vick: 1971 - 1997
- His Honour Judge John Bull QC DL: 1998 - 2010
- His Honour Judge Christopher Critchlow DL: 2010 - 2017
The current Honorary Recorder for Guildford is His Honour Judge Robert Fraser MVO.