he concept of the Burgess oath belongs - Aberdeen City Council

s the city’s population swelled to morethan 200,000 so, too, did membershipof the Guildry, reaching about 850in the year 2000. But it was in 1983 that,by a major change in the rules ofadmission, women were admitted as fullBurgesses and, at an historic TownCouncil meeting on November 28 of thatyear, seven women received theircertificates of admission.Subsequently, one went on to be electeda member of the team of six Assessorswho support the Dean of Guild inrunning all areas of the organisation.Membership was not the only area thatwas regarded as in need of change. In1981, the then Dean of Guild raised hisconcern that Guildry funds were notbeing used to the benefit of thecommunity. Informal talks were heldwith the Town Clerk on ways in whichfunds, surplus after paying all annuities,might be used, but it was felt thatnothing could be done.