11:34am Tuesday 5th May 2009
A former West Yorkshire MP has become only the second woman to be installed as the head of an ancient City livery company.
Elizabeth Peacock, who was MP for Batley and Spen until 1997, has followed in royal footsteps as the new Master of The Worshipful Company of Woolmen, the first female master was the Princess Royal in 1994.
Mrs Peacock was installed at a service at St Michael’s, Cornhill, in the City of London, and celebrated at a dinner in Carpenter’s Hall. The Worshipful Company of Woolmen can trace its history to 1180 and was the power behind the development of the nation’s wool industry from the 12th Century.
It remains committed to the future well being of the international wool trade through educational support for students and charitable work.
Mrs Peacock said “As I am a Yorkshire woman I have a clear understanding of the international importance of the industry.”
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