Latest news with #FreedomoftheCityofLondon
Irish Post
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Post
‘It's what I grew up with': Ed Sheeran confirms he ‘identifies culturally' as Irish
GLOBAL popstar Ed Sheeran has confirmed he 'identifies culturally' as Irish. The 34-year-old singer, who has produced countless hits in a career which has now stretched over more than a decade, was born in Halifax, West Yorkshire but raised in Suffolk. His father's family hails from Belfast in Northern Ireland and his mother's side are all from Co. Wexford in the south. Ed Sheeran has revealed he identifies culturally as Irish This week, in a podcast interview with Louis Theroux, Sheeran confirmed that despite being born in England, he identifies as Irish. 'I class my culture as Irish. That that's what I grew up with,' he told The Louis Theroux Podcast. 'You know, my mom's family is very, very small, it's her and her parents,' he explained. 'And my dad's family is, he's got seven brothers and sisters, which is massive. 'So, we'd spend all of our holidays in Ireland.' The singer references his Irish roots in his hit Galway Girl, which was released on St Patrick's Day in 2017, and Nancy Mulligan – a song about his Irish grandmother in Co. Wexford, which was released that same year. He is also patron of the London Irish Centre (LIC), in Camden, where his long-term friend Gary Dunne, who taught him how to use a loop pedal in his music, was formerly Arts Director. Sheeran was awarded the Freedom of the City of London in 2022 for his contribution to the city and his work with LIC. Sheeran performs at the London Irish Centre in Camden, of which he became a patron in 2018 During his chat with Theroux, the star further confirmed that much of his musical inspiration comes from his roots in the Emerald Isle. 'My first musical experiences were in Ireland' he said. 'I grew up with trad music in the house. 'So, I do like, I identify culturally as Irish, but I was obviously born and raised in Britain. 'I don't overthink it,' he adds, 'but I do feel like my culture is something that I'm really proud of and grew up with and want to express. 'And I feel like just because I was born in Britain doesn't necessarily mean that I have to just be British. 'There's loads of people that I know that are half this or a quarter that.' Maeve Heath, Ed Sheeran, former Lord Mayor of the City of London, Vincent Keaveny and Gary Dunne receive the Freedom of the City of London (Pic: William Walsh) Sheeran went on to to confirm that he is 'protective' of the Irish culture, 'in some respects' but 'I also see the flaws of it'. He added that 'when England are playing, I support England' acknowledging that 'yeah, there's a lot' to manage as a person who identifies as being Irish while living in Britain. 'But I think that's allowed,' he added. 'I don't think there's any rules to it. 'It should be how you feel and how you were raised and what you are leaning into it.' When asked by Theroux 'Do you get a lot of love in Ireland?' Sheeran said: 'Yeah. I'd say it's basically my second home musically. 'I'd say Ireland is the place that I am most successful musically," he added. See More: Ed Sheeran, Irish, Louis Theroux
BBC News
12-04-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
City of London: Where firms get a vote for 'councillors'
The City of London has remained an oddity within the English system of local government, having escaped reform over the centuries unlike every other city and borough in reason why is the Liberties and Customs of the City which were guaranteed by the Magna Carta, the charter of rights agreed to by King John at Runnymede in 1215, and have been jealously guarded ever since. As a result the City of London has its own way of working - so here's our guide to the role livery companies, aldermen and common councillors have, along with the additional rights offered to workers in the so-called Square Mile. Non-residential votes in other council areas were abolished in 1969 but the system continued for the City. The local council - more correctly called the Court of Common Council - consists of 100 common councillors and 25 aldermen. The 25 wards have characterful names such as Cripplegate Without, and Cripplegate Within, Vintry, Queenhithe and Bread two and 10 councillors are elected to represent each City ward, depending on the size of the electorate. They are elected for four-year terms. Each ward also has an alderman, elected for six years. The Lord Mayor is chosen from the aldermen for a year-long there are the beadles - elected officers in each ward whose job involves opening, closing and keeping order at the wardmote, a Saxon word meaning a meeting of the might seem a lot of representatives for the smallest local government area in the country, with an estimated resident population of 6,800 people. But there are more than 650,000 people who work in the City of London but don't live there, and some of them also get to vote. Each company that has offices within the Square Mile of the City can appoint voters using a formula based on the number of employees they have working in those with a workforce of nine or less can appoint one voter, those with up to 50 can appoint one voter for every five, and those with more than 50 can appoint 10 voters and one additional voter for every 50 members of the organisations occupy more than one office in the City, each office has the right to appoint a voter or does not matter if those offices are in the same ward but they must not be "physically linked", according to the guidance on the City of London allocated voters must work in the offices concerned. The companies are responsible for appointing their voters as they see fit, but there is a secret ballot. They can vote in person at a polling station within their ward or by postal vote. A voter can vote in the City as well as at their home address, provided they do not also live in the City. Data from 2024 found there were more than 13,700 corporate voters and around 6,500 resident voters. There is an additional requirement to be elected to the Court of Common Council - you have to have the Freedom of the City of London - the only council in the UK with this language used about this Freedom reflects its medieval origins: the City of London website says there are "several ways to apply for the Freedom: by servitude, by patrimony, by nomination or by presentation via a livery company".There are currently 113 livery companies, a type of guild or professional association of London's ancient and modern trades. Many have names of crafts lost to history, such as horners (someone who works or deals in animal horns), tallow chandlers (candle makers and sellers who make candles out of animal fat) and paviors (people who lay pavements).The oldest is the Worshipful Company of Mercers, or general merchants, which was granted livery status in 1394. The newest is the Worshipful Company of Communicators which gained its status earlier this traditions associated with livery companies include the right of liverymen and women to elect the City Sheriffs and the Lord Mayor. There are other ways apart from membership of the livery companies to attain the Freedom of the who has been on the City of London electoral roll for a minimum of one year may obtain the Freedom of the City without the need for an application visit or Common Council can also pay a fee of £180 to apply for the Freedom by nomination, but you must be nominated by two sponsors who are common councillors, aldermen or applications must be approved by the Court of Common Council. Finally, there is special category for people who wish to stand for election for the Court of Common Council and who do not have "ready access" to the Lord Mayor, sheriff, aldermen, common councillors or liverymen."In such a case, an applicant can be supported by any two electors registered in the City or by two persons eligible to sign an application for a passport," the City of London corporation says.
The Independent
20-02-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Sir Lenny Henry receives Freedom of the City of London
Sir Lenny Henry has been given the Freedom of the City of London in recognition of his 'significant contribution to the entertainment industry and charitable fundraising' across a career that spans five decades. Actor, writer and comedian Sir Lenny attended a ceremony at the Guildhall in the capital after being nominated by Lord Mayor Alastair King. Sir Lenny co-founded the UK charity Comic Relief in 1985, alongside Love Actually screenwriter Richard Curtis, with the charity celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. The 66-year-old said: 'How cool to be awarded the Freedom of the City of London, and to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Dame Judi Dench, Sir Ian McKellen, Giles Terera, Sir Cameron Mackintosh, and Damian Lewis. 'I am very proud that the freedom recognises my work on Comic Relief, which has raised over £1 billion and had a positive impact on so many people's lives.' Sir Lenny, who grew up in Dudley in the West Midlands, got his break in 1975 on the TV talent show, New Faces. His career as a stand-up comic led to him joining children's TV show, Tiswas, alongside Chris Tarrant, and its late-night adult sister show, OTT, before he went on to work on BBC1's Three Of A Kind. He fronted different incarnations of The Lenny Henry Show, and also starred in the successful sitcom Chef!, receiving critical acclaim for his stage performances, including his West End theatre debut in Othello and The Comedy Of Errors at the National Theatre. TV acting credits include Netflix's Missing You, adapted from the Harlan Coben novel of the same name, as well as ITV drama Broadchurch, one series of BBC show The Syndicate and The Lord of the Rings prequel, The Rings of Power, on Prime Video. He was awarded a knighthood in 2015 for services to drama and charity, and was made a fellow of the Royal Television Society in 2016. In addition to his film and TV work, he is an accomplished writer, with books including 2019's Who Am I, Again? and 2022's Rising to the Surface, as well as a series of children's books. Mr King said: 'There are few entertainers around today who are as popular and instantly recognisable as Sir Lenny, and it is an absolute pleasure to support his nomination. 'Throughout his career, Sir Lenny has used his many talents to shine a spotlight on important issues like racial inequality and poverty, helping to change countless lives through Comic Relief. 'His freedom is richly deserved.' The tradition of the freedom of the city is believed to date back to 1237. Recent recipients include Hamilton star Giles Terera; theatre owner and producer Sir Cameron Mackintosh; and Lady Mary Peters, who won an Olympic gold medal in the athletics pentathlon in 1972.
BBC News
20-02-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Sir Lenny Henry given Freedom of the City of London
Sir Lenny Henry has been given the Freedom of the City of London in recognition of his contribution to the entertainment industry and charitable 66-year-old actor and comedian attended his ceremony at Guildhall on Thursday joined by family and friends, after being nominated by Lord Mayor Alastair Lenny, who has been performing for 50 years, co-founded Comic Relief and was awarded a knighthood in 2015 for services to drama and charity."I am very proud that the Freedom recognises my work on Comic Relief, which has raised over £1bn and had a positive impact on so many people's lives," Sir Lenny said. "Coming from people who are of African origin, the idea of being made a free man resonates within me like a bass string that's been thrummed."I understand what that means. This idea of freedom, this idea of being in a diverse city, it means something and I don't take that lightly.""Apparently I do get to drive sheep across one of the bridges," he added. 'Instantly recognisable' Sir Lenny, who was born in Dudley in the West Midlands, was made a fellow of the Royal Television Society in 2016, and received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the National Television Awards in 2022. He is also a published author. Lord Mayor of London Alastair King said: "There are few entertainers around today who are as popular and instantly recognisable as Sir Lenny, and it is an absolute pleasure to support his nomination."Throughout his career, Sir Lenny has used his many talents to shine a spotlight on important issues like racial inequality and poverty, helping to change countless lives through Comic Relief. His Freedom is richly deserved."The Freedom of the City is believed to have begun in 1237 and enabled recipients to carry out their is also used as a way to pay tribute to an individual's outstanding contribution to London or public life.
