On 3 April I was the guest of the Worshipful Company of Chartered Architects at their annual Milo lecture and reception, held at the Athenaeum Club, Pall Mall. Professor Jan Gehl, the world-famous urban planner, explained how to make cities into places people want to travel into and enjoy, focussing on the spaces between buildings rather than the buildings themselves. He emphasised the importance of the ability to walk and bicycle safely together, avoiding the car-dependent culture, with cheap, efficient, accessible public transport. After the lecture, I had a delightful private dinner in the Coffee room with Past Master David Cole Adams and Mary Cole Adams.
On 5 April I visited Sweetings Restaurant, Queen Victoria Street, and presented the manageress, Sue, with a plaque of the Company’s armorials. For many years, this iconic fish restaurant has been serving the City, in particular many Livery Companies including the Tylers and Bricklayers. Many other Livery Companies’ armorials are already displayed there, and at the suggestion of Liveryman Wayne Sheppard, the Court agreed that ours should join them.
Next, the Mistress and I visited Drapers’ Hall to undergo a rigorous and most demanding menu tasting in preparation for the Annual dinner in May. We were treated like royalty, and met the Head Chef Mark Page, twice a finalist of the UK's most prestigious culinary competition, Chef of the Year, winner of the British Prix Pierre Taittinger, and holder of more than 20 gold medals. Mark explained that with their massive ovens it was more difficult to cook a meal for two than a meal for two hundred. The Mistress and I both scored each dish separately on taste and presentation. It was really difficult to make the final choice as the dishes all scored so highly.
Later that day I attended the Carpenters’ Company Annual Craft lecture and reception at Carpenters Hall. The speaker was Tony Hackney M.B.A. C.Eng, on ‘Building a Sustainable World: see timber in a new light’. He explained the production methods of timber used in construction and extolled the virtues of timber framed buildings. I had to point out there is nothing quite like bricks and tiles!
On Thursday 23rd March, the Mistress and I were invited to a special dinner at Mansion house by the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress, Alderman Nicholas and Mrs Felicity Lyons. The Lord Mayor’s bodyguard was provided by the pikemen and musketeers of the Honourable Artillery Company. I was offered a musket – these are very heavy indeed!
It is a major event in the Livery Calendar, a dinner when all the Masters, Prime Wardens and Upper Bailiff of the 110 livery Companies, together with the Court of Aldermen and other City dignitaries, are entertained at Mansion House. A formal “white tie and medals” event, with music from the salon orchestra of the HAC band and the state trumpeters of the Household Cavalry.
There were over 350 guests in the Egyptian Hall, which made it feel almost full! After a delightful dinner and excellent wines, Lord Mayor spoke of the importance of the Livery Companies in the City, and his work in maintaining the city’s global pre-eminence in financial services. The Master Grocer and Master Mercer each responded, supporting the Lord Mayor and his charitable activities. The Lord Mayor then closed with a short but witty story about a nun travelling in a taxi. I will not spoil the joke, but look out for Kevin. After a leisurely stirrup cup, carriages were at 11pm.
Then on Friday 24th March, a fairly early start from home for the United Guilds Service at St Paul’s Cathedral. It’s another major event in the Livery Calendar, also attended by all the Masters, Prime Wardens and Upper Bailiff. I met with the Wardens, Chris Causer and Jenny Rolls at Carpenters’ Hall where we robed before processing, together with the Master Carpenter and his Clerk, to St Pauls. The Cathedral was packed and I was delighted that we had 30 members of the Company who attended the service (I think this may be a record!). It was great to see so many Tylers and Bricklayers at the service, including Deputy Master Simon Martin and Past Masters David Fuller, Tom Hoffman and David Cole Adams.
A long procession ensues before the service starts, headed by a verger and finishing with the Bishop of London, the Lord Mayor’s Chaplain, the Sargeant-at-Arms, the Swordbearer and finally the Lord Mayor. Wonderful music, rousing hymns, the Bidding by the Dean of St Paul’s, the Very Reverent Andrew Tremlett, a reading by the Lord Mayor, the Sermon by the Dean of Westminster, and the Blessing by the Bishop of London. It was an uplifting and inspirational service, closing with JS Bach’s Prelude and Fugue in D.
The majority stayed for a seated buffet lunch back at Carpenters’ Hall. After a brisk walk in typical London drizzle, we arrived back at Carpenters hall a little damp. The Master Carpenter, Brigadier John Meardon welcomed us warmly to lunch, together with the Plumbers and the Entrepreneurs. The Master Plumber, Air Cdre Paul Nash responded on behalf of the guests, linking senior politicians with television programmes in a most amusing speech. Conversation flowed and it was nearly 3.30pm before we moved out of the Livery hall to make our way home. A full report of the day will be posted shortly in the event reports section of the website, thanks to Liveryman Martin Reading.
It was wonderful to visit Christ’s Hospital again on Friday 3 March with Past Masters Lesley Day, Tom Rider and David Szymanski. We were made very welcome by the Director of Development, Hugo Middlemas, before meeting with Deputy Head Ruth Brading and CEO Jenny Baxter Clark. We also met with Kiyan Rahmann, our current presentee, who is doing so well at the school. Before lunch, I presented a cheque for over £38,000 to Headmaster, Mr Simon Reid, to support our next presentee.
After a tour of the school including the chapel, we had lunch with the Headmaster and his colleagues in the main hall which was crowded with students and staff. They serve about 1400 lunches each day, which means the canteen has to be extremely efficient! After lunch, it was also a great treat to watch the Christ’s Hospital band and students marching on parade, practicing for the school’s open day next week.
On Thursday 9 March, we had our Craft awards ceremony and luncheon at Trinity House. The room was absolutely packed to capacity, with each of the 123 seats filled. I am very grateful to our guest speaker Lt Col Guy Cheesman, Commanding Officer 1 RMSE, who awarded the prizes, the Chairman of the Craft Committee, Court Assistant David White, and our Learned Clerk Heather Smith for organising the event.
There was a great atmosphere in the room, with everyone keen to celebrate the achievements of these talented individuals.
It was a huge privilege to award Matt Timby, Roof Slater & Tiler, as a Master Craftsman and to award Simon Dixon and Chris Cox with special Recognition for Services to Education & Industry. A full report listing all the award winners, written by Court Assistant Ian Wilson, is featured on the website events report page. Well done to all our award winners!
On Monday 13 March, I attended a webinar on stained glass organised by the Worshipful Company of Glaziers and Painters of Glass. It was a very interesting talk on the major commissions over the last few years, mainly in buildings such as churches. The window shown above was presented to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II as a gift from Members of both Houses of Parliament on the occasion of her Diamond Jubilee. It was designed and made by British artist John Reyntiens working with a team of experienced draftsmen, painters and technicians in his studio. The window has now been installed as the three central panels of the north window in Westminster Hall.
On Tuesday 14th March I attended a service at St Michael Paternoster Royal to celebrate the life and achievements of Dick Whittington, commemorating the 600th anniversary of his death. The service and presentations were organised by Alderman Alison Gowman.
A wreath was laid in memory of Sir Richard Whittington, who is buried in the church but the precise location of the grave is unknown. As you can see, he was a Mercer and four times Lord Mayor, being a great benefactor of both the City and the Mercer’s Company.
Professor Caroline Barron spoke on the topic "Richard Whittington: The Man behind the Pantomime" and Professor Carolyn Roberts spoke about "Dick Whittington and the 64 holer". Both talks were fascinating – the 64 holer refers to the largest public lavatory at the time, funded by Sir Richard Whittington!
On the theme of stained glass, the church has a window depicting Dick Whittington and his cat, seen high behind me! The service and lectures were followed by light refreshments at the Innholders Hall, just a minutes walk away.
The next day, Wednesday 15th, the Mistress and I were honoured to be invited by the Master Carpenter Brigadier John Meardon and his Mistress Ann, to the Spring Dinner of the Carpenters’ Company. A splendid affair in the presence of His Excellency Mr Karel van Oosterom, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and his wife Anna. We all enjoyed the musical entertainment by four talented saxophonists from the Guildhall School of Music, including favorites by Gershwin. The train strike caused some upset, with quite a few guests arriving late, but the show went on – nothing can stop a good Livery dinner. The food and wines were absolutely exceptional, as was the company!
On Thursday 21th February I was delighted to represent the Company at the Pancake races in Guildhall Yard. Organised by the Poulters’ Company, with gloves from the Glovers’, timekeeping by the Clockmakers’, firing cannon and pistols from the Gunmakers’, and lemons from the Fruiterers’, many Companies are involved.
Running in brick red trousers and a Master’s gown, I competed in the first heat. Despite setting a stonking pace, I somehow managed to lose my chef’s hat, which meant I failed to qualify for the finals. I was somewhat relieved to see I wasn’t the only one, at it was a recurring theme throughout the races!
The high point of the event must be the fancy dress race, which each year brings more extreme and humorous outfits. With the tercentenary of the death of Sir Christopher Wren, there were not one, but two St Paul’s Cathedrals competing, one of which was from the Fuellers’ Company who won the prize for best costume. Another stand-out costume was the pineapple of the Gardeners’ Company, which gained second place. The fancy dress pancake race was won by the Framework Knitters, who also won the Master’s race and the Victor Ludorum – congratulations to them for such a successful showing!
I am very grateful to Liveryman Michael Ash (right) who donated £250 to the Company’s charitable funds. He encouraged members of the Company who attended the pancake races to wear a feathers in their hat, and to carry an umbrella and a handbag, each item scoring points which contributed to the total - a most amusing and generous idea. Thanks also to Upper Warden Chris Causer who took on the role of Team organizer.
Later that day, the Clerk and I were guests of the Master Apothecary, Dr Jonathan Holiday CVO, former Apothecary to the Royal Household at Windsor, for dinner at Apothecary’s Hall in Black Friars. Set on the site of a Franciscan Monastery, the hall dates to 1672 having been rebuilt immediately after the Great Fire. It has remaining largely unchanged since and is a wonderful venue. I was honoured to sit next to the Master Apothecary and his Chaplain, the Reverend Mark Jones, who is in his 34th year as an Eton master. The Master Turner, Matthew Gaved and the Clerk to the Turners’ Company, Niall McNaughton, were also present as Company guests.
Welcome to the guests was given by Dr Julia Neild, Junior Warden, who educated us on the importance of gardens in the history of the Society, and in particular the Wardian case, an early form of mobile garden allowing transportation of rare species of flora across the globe. The principal guest (seated, left) was Clare Matteson, Director General of the Royal Horticultural Society, who spoke of the development of the Society and its current objectives. A wonderful evening which was much enjoyed by myself and the Clerk.