THE founders of York’s newest guild put piping bag to paper to sign their articles of association in chocolate.

Honouring the age-old tradition of guilds in the city, professionals in York have banded together to establish the city’s first Guild of Confectionery, devoted to promoting York as a centre of confectionery excellence.

Its purpose is to act as a council for people involved in this newly-expanding industry, which includes everything from museums and visitor attractions, to chocolate-themed guided walking tours, food lectures and events.

It is the first city guild to be established since the Guild of Building in 1954.

Local chocolate historian and guild founder member Alex Hutchinson said: “People in the industry can apply to us and we have experts in all different sorts of areas.

“We can look at their products and give them advice and then, once they have gone through the process, give them a three-year renewable licence which is a mark of quality which they can display on their products.”

The guild has been founded as a not-for-profit organisation that raises revenue from paid members.

Any money raised is intended for the staging of confectionery themed events in the city.

Any profits are earmarked for re-investment into the upkeep of the historical artefacts pertaining to the chocolate industry in York held by the York Castle Museum, the Borthwick Institute and the Yorkshire Film Archive.

Beckie Senior, of York’s Chocolate Story, another one of the founders, said: “It’s really great that we have this new forum for working together.

“Chocolate is at the heart of the city, and we’re delighted to be involved in telling the story of its past, present and future.”

The founding coincides with the 150th anniversary of Rowntree’s and the City of York’s celebrations of 800 years of democracy.

The guild is supported by representatives from the Yorkshire Film Archive, Terry’s/Eborwolf, York’s Chocolate Story, local food historians, York Cocoa House, York Museums Trust, Goddards, and the Borthwick Institute.

They will be unveiling their crest and website in the new year.

Meanwhile, all correspondence should be addressed to firstguildyorkconfectionery@gmail.com