Llantrisant: Women join historic freemen ceremony for first time

Jen Thomas, whose grandfather Stanley was a freeman, marched in the procession and can now be a freeman herself, describing the event as “very important” for her family.

“It’s fantastic that women can become freemen in their own right – it’s been a long time coming,” she said.

Martin Hooker, a freeman who has helped to organise the latest event, said there had been an “enormous response” from women wanting to be admitted.

“Over half of those who have been accepted in the annual ceremony – the court leet, external – this year are women.”