Today I was honoured to attend the Remembrance Service at St Paul's Cathedral with Maureen and the Renter Warden, Professor John Schofield. This is an occasion when the representatives of the Livery Companies are all gowned, with their medals fully on display, looking quite superb.

The Livery representation had been organised by the Worshipful Company of Fruiterers, for which we are all grateful. We took our designated places in the South Transept and waited in anticipation for the Lord Mayor and the procession to arrive, and when they did, we were not disappointed. Everyone looked magnificent, the Lord Mayor, Lady Mayoress and the civic party, plus all the military personnel, the clergy, the choir and of course, the Standards.

There followed a wonderful Service of Remembrance with The Commemoration of the Fallen, led by the Dean, the Very Reverend Dr David Ison, with readings by a young Lance Corporal Fiona Osei-Karikari, and the new Lord Mayor, Alderman William Russell. The choir sang beautifully with the whole congregation joining in to sing some well loved hymns. The service ended with the very moving Kohima Epitaph and the sounding of the last post.

Following the service, the Livery representatives marched in formation to the Royal Exchange, for the laying of the wreaths by the Right Honourable The Lord Mayor and other representatives of many organisations. The Master Fruiterer laid the wreath on behalf of all the Livery Companies.

The morning ended with the march past and salute to the Lord Mayor. It was a magnificent sight to see the beautiful horses lead the way, followed by the Military Band of Guards and all the others in the procession. We felt honoured and privileged to have taken part in this wonderful ceremony.