Artist Susie Lidstone does not keep sheep at her Farnham home, to the best of our knowledge, but if she did and wanted to drive them over London Bridge, she may freely do so.

Susie has been made a Freeman of the City of London, giving her the ancient right to drive sheep over the bridge without paying tax. In fact, she has a piece of parchment to prove it.

Her status as a Freeman follows her acceptance last October into the Guild of the Worshipful Company of Painter-Stainers, one of the City of London’s oldest livery companies.

She was then able to apply to become a Freeman of the City of London and, following approval by the Court of Aldermen (part of the City’s governing body) and payment of a Freedom Fine (administration fee), she became a Freeman on March 24, in a ceremony dating back to the 13th century.

She said: “Most of it is ceremonial now, but it was very moving. It takes place at Guildhall in the City and I first had to go into an ante-room to sign a declaration stating who I was.

“That was a bit emotional as the declaration mentioned my father and mother, and that my father had been a Freeman of the City. I also had to read the Declaration of a Freeman.

“It’s in quite old-fashioned language, which makes it harder to say, and I was told that when Barbara Windsor was made a Freeman and had to read it, it took her three attempts as she kept laughing.”

The declaration involves promising to be ‘good and true’ to the sovereign, obedient to the City’s Mayor and to warn the Mayor of ‘Gatherings (and) Conspiracies made against the King’s Peace’.

Susie continued: “I went into the Chamberlain’s Office and had to approach the high desk and sign a book with a quill pen. I was given my Freedom document together with a little pouch, which is actually in the frame with the document, but in the past Freemen used to keep the document in the pouch and get it out to show they had the freedom of the City.

“It was a very interesting day. The Beadle of the City of London, who is elected – there have been Beadles for more than 1,000 years – explained everything and showed us all sorts of interesting things, including a box containing Florence Nightingale’s Freedom document.”

Originally, being a Freeman meant someone who was not a feudal serf and could trade in the City, but today it is awarded in recognition of achievements and contributions.

Susie is a well-known artist who shares her skills with others, including painting the Advent raffle picture for Farnham Lions, inviting schoolchildren into her studio and creating a painting of an otter to raise funds for the UK Wild Otter Trust.

Some of her work will be on display at the AppArt Easter Art Exhibition and Sculpture Trail at King Edward’s School, Godalming, from April 4 to April 18.