27/07/2026
A truly memorable day.
On Thursday, I was admitted to the *Freedom of the City of London* at the historic Guildhall, an incredible honour and a fascinating experience.
One of my favourite parts was learning about the history behind the tradition. Centuries ago, Freemen were granted the right to drive their sheep across London Bridge without paying a toll. 🐑 ’s amazing how a custom that began hundreds of years ago continues to be celebrated today.
I was especially keen to share the experience with *John*, one of our regular customers at Almari Coffee. John has an incredible knowledge of London’s history, so he knew exactly what the Freedom of the City was and was just as fascinated by the stories and traditions behind it. It made the day even more special to experience it with someone who genuinely appreciates the City’s heritage.
I’ve left my *Freedom parchment, together with the accompanying book, *Rules for the Conduct of Life, in the café should any of our customers wish to have a look. If you’re passing by, feel free to ask a member of the team.
Walking through the ceremony and hearing the stories behind this historic honour gave me an even greater appreciation for London’s rich history.
Thank you to everyone who has been part of my journey. Here’s to continuing to serve our community, one cup of coffee at a time. ☕❤️
The City of London
