March began with a Court Meeting at which we welcomed three new Liverymen in Clare Banks, Bob Caile and Peter Bull MBE and a new Freemen, Steve Brooks. The meeting also formalised the appointment of Jenny Rolls as our new Almoner. Sarah Stroud will be a hard act to follow but I’m sure in Jenny we have the perfect successor.
The Court meeting was followed by our Annual Craft Awards. I have to say that this is one of my favourite events of the year as we recognise those young people at the outset of their careers and those who have achieved Master Craftsman status. The recent trend of having successful figures within our crafts present the awards is proving both inspirational and aspirational to the younger winners and thanks and congratulations to Liveryman Bob Howard MBE for striking such a perfect note in his speech. It was also a pleasure for me not to be involved in organising the event for the first time in five years and huge thanks and congratulations to Court Assistant Chris Causer for handling his first awards ceremony with such aplomb. All being well next year the assembled company will be spared from hearing from me at all!
The awards were followed later that week by the Davy’s Annual Trade Tasting. This provides the opportunity for the Wine Committee to assess how purchased wines are progressing as well as tasting others both for consideration in future purchases and to add to our list of wines for buying in. It really is a much tougher job than it may seem given the number and variety of wines to be tasted – honest!
The following week was busy to say the least. Catherine and I attended the opening of the World War I Tribute Garden by the Lord Mayor and I’d encourage all to visit this in Guildhall Yard. This was followed by the Carpenters’ Spring Dinner at Carpenters’ Hall. A fairly stressful afternoon as we decided to head back to Loughton to change in between and fell foul of the Central Line at its worst but fortunately we made it back to the City in time for the reception. One of the challenges in the Mastership Year is the logistics of having the right formal wear in the right place at the right time!
The following day we again found ourselves at Mansion House for the Lord Mayor’s Banquet. This was a truly splendid occasion with the Pikeman and Musketeers in full attendance of the Lord Mayor together with some 103 Masters, Prime Wardens and Upper Bailiff as well as the civic team. This was a great City occasion enjoyed by all and yet another highlight of the year so far and was followed by another great Livery occasion in the United Guilds Service at St. Paul’s Cathedral. A full St. Paul’s is a sight and sound to behold and I’d encourage every Liveryman to try and attend this wonderful celebration of the Livery.
Immediately after the service Catherine and I headed to the Tower of London to support the National Heritage Training Group Awards, an organisation chaired by Liveryman Bob Howard MBE. The lottery funded bursaries have been a great success and it is to be hoped that new bursaries or other heritage training will be supported by the National Lottery now that the current funding cycle has come to an end.
The Guildhall, Carpenters’ Hall, Mansion House, St. Paul’s Cathedral and the Tower of London all in one week!
The following week was no less hectic with the Mason’s Court Luncheon at Mercers’ Hall followed by a private dinner with Sheriff Neil Redcliffe and his wife Emma at the Old Bailey which included a wonderful tour of the Central Criminal Court. Maintaining the theme of criminal justice, the next day saw some 30 intrepid Tylers and Bricklayers head to HM Prison Brixton to lunch at The Clink our Charity of the Year. Seldom, if ever, will so many Tylers and Bricklayers have been behind bars at the same time!
In somewhat imposing surroundings we enjoyed a fabulous three course meal and again one was left wondering why it takes a custodial sentence to receive vocational training and how many of the young men we met might have avoided prison had they had this sort of opportunity at or immediately after, school. Thanks go to the Upper Warden for arranging such an excellent and thought provoking visit and congratulations in her role as Secretary to the Charitable Trusts as we have nearly reached our target for the Charity of the Year so please keep giving to this tremendously worthwhile cause.
From HMP Brixton to the splendours of the Mansion House once more for the Plumbers’ Annual Banquet where we were royally entertained on our sixth visit thus far! A fitting end to my first six months in office but hard to believe I am already halfway through the year.
April highlights include the Lord Mayor’s Big Curry lunch. We have a good number attending but if you are free on the 11th April and in the vicinity of the Guildhall please do purchase a ticket and support Court Assistant Simon Martin who is one of the organisers of this excellent event. I am also looking forward to visiting the Royal Engineers at Chatham for their cadet open day.