YOUNG apprentices from across Oxfordshire were handed awards for excellence by the Freemen of Oxford – one of the city’s oldest organisations.

The Freemen formed in Saxon times and later in the Domesday Book they are recorded looking after Port Meadow.

Even to this day, the Freemen can keep cattle and horses on the meadow.

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On Thursday the group dishes out awards to three apprentices they thought were doing a fine job around the county: Dennis Gumus of Lucy Electric, Award in Quality Engineering; Angus Henderson of Taylor Wimpey, Award in Carpentry, and Callum Tinson of Reaction Engines Ltd, Apprentice of the Year.

Awards secretary John Sanders, who is county councillor for Cowley, said at the ceremony: “The Freemen have been the people who built this city, ran its businesses and made it prosper for the last 1250 years and for most of that time ran the council.

“It seems to us that as a society that has been based on the apprenticeship model, we are probably best placed to encourage modern apprenticeships and the flourishing of our community.

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“This year we were particularly encouraged to see how you, our best apprentices have worked hard to help your fellow apprentices and to promote apprenticeships to young people you have been able to come into contact with.

“We are pleased to welcome you here today, the best apprentices of our city, your families, friends and employers to celebrate this important stage in your career.”

Essential qualifications for admission to the Freedom of the City of Oxford are being the child, stepchild, grandchild, son-in-law/daughter-in-law or adopted child of a Freeman, and serving at least a two-year apprenticeship to a Freeman of the City, within the boundaries of Oxford.