Father of the Company Nicholas Carter, Upper Warden Alan Dodd, Lt Daisy Nelson RN, Felicity Jones, Sheriff Alderman Gregory Jones KC, The Master, Dr Nigel Rolls, Ven Dr Jonathan Smith, Renter Warden David White, Lt Otto Nelson RN

 

The last formal event of the Master’s year was a Court and Livery Dinner, held in the magnificent Apothecaries’ Hall on 4 September. Given that both the Master and her Consort have medical backgrounds, it was a fitting venue to conclude a most memorable year.

 

The current Hall of the Apothecaries’ Society is the oldest surviving livery company hall in the City of London. Acquired in 1632, it was rebuilt in 1672 after the original Hall was destroyed in the Great Fire of 1666. A significant restoration took place in the 1780s and despite major redevelopment 200 years later, its external appearance has largely remained unchanged since the late 18th century.

 

Of further interest is that in 1917, during the First World War, a young Agatha Christie studied to become a qualified pharmaceutical assistant. To dispense medicines, she had to pass three exams at Apothecaries’ Hall. While she successfully passed the two oral exams, she had to sit the final exam twice.

 

 

After an enjoyable champagne reception, the Master, Wardens and our principal guest, Sheriff Alderman Gregory Jones KC, along with Lt Daisy Nelson RN, Commanding Officer of HMS Magpie, the Clerk, the Honorary Chaplain processed into the Hall.

 

 

Over ninety of us sat down to a splendid dinner. The menu featured a Prawn Cocktail Tart with an exotic array of trimmings, paired with an Albarino wine from the Rias Baixas region of Spain. This was followed by a delicious Native Breed pork fillet, accompanied by a Chateau Les Hauts Bordeaux 2016. We then indulged in a dark chocolate and chipotle torte, along with tea, coffee and Petit Fours. Guests were also offered a Grahams LBV Port.

 

At the appointed time the Master proposed toasts to The King, Queen Camilla, the Prince and Princess of Wales and the other members of the Royal family. Toasts were also made to The Lord Mayor, the City of London Corporation and, of course, the Sheriffs, with one being present!

 

 

Court Assistant Cdr Edward Rolls proposed the welcome and toast to the guests. He began by welcoming his Royal Naval counterparts, Lt Daisy Nelson and her husband, Lt Otto Nelson. The Company enjoys an affiliation with HMS Magpie, an inshore survey vessel and Daisy had been invited to this dinner as its new CO. Her husband, Otto, also serves as a Lieutenant in the Royal Navy as a Mine Clearance Diver. Edward then welcomed our principal guest, Sheriff Gregory Jones KC, Sheriff of the City of London who was accompanied by his daughter, Felicity. Edward provided a brief overview of Sheriff Gregory’s impressive career, and we were particularly interested in hearing that he is a liveryman of the Leathersellers’ and a freeman of the Founders’ and Stationers’ Companies. He is also joint Patron of the Farringdon Ward Club and a member of the City Livery Club. Since his election as a Common Councillor in 2012 and subsequently as an Alderman in 2016, he has worked to strengthen the historic ties between the City and the London Irish Rugby Club. In February this year, he was made a member of the Order of St John.

 

 

Sheriff Gregory, a Barrister with a specialisation in town and country planning, delivered an engaging talk on the history of planning regulations and fines, with a particular focus on the involvement of the Tylers and Bricklayers. Interestingly, tiles were commonly used as planning fines in medieval times. He also mentioned that he had recently published a new "National Planning Policy Framework Handbook," which will be invaluable for those navigating the constantly changing regulations.

 

The Master concluded the evening with heartfelt closing remarks, expressing gratitude for the year as Master. Notably, she is only the second Lady Master of the Tylers and Bricklayers and the first Lady Master from the Bird family. In her wide-ranging speech, she spoke movingly about the varied and stand out events of the year. The highlight, however, was taking her grandsons to the Mansion House for the Lord Mayor’s children’s party...” The children had a marvellous time. Fancy dress was worn, and the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs - our sheriff tonight included, wore the best. The Lady Mayoress even wore a tiara, which convinced my grandsons that she was a princess. The sight and sound of 150 children’s delight when there was a balloon drop and then seeing them clutching those balloons on their way home on the tube and bus, is something that will stay with me...”

 

Thus concluded a most enjoyable and memorable dinner.

 

Ian Mitchell Grimshaw - Past Master