Thursday 9th April Lady Mayor’s Luncheon at the City of London Club

 

At the halfway point in her year, the Lady Mayor addressed members of the business community to speak about her achievements so far and to lay out plans for the remainder of the Mayoral year.

 

From left (clockwise) James Preston, Senior Warden WCO Carpenters; Dr Heather Barrett-Mold, Founder PLT and PM Gardener; Colonel Jane Davis OBE OStJ QVRM TD DL, Prime Warden WCO Blacksmiths; Alan Dodd, Master Tyler and Bricklayer; Dr Hani Anderson, WCO Entrepreneurs; Peter Lane, PM WCO Masons; JohnBurton; Kevin Barwick, Under Warden WCO Woolmen; Judy Hadden, PM Entrepreneur; Jonathan Matheson, Spadebearer WCO Gardeners.

 

While this was not a livery event, it was attended by several Masters and Wardens, and Pat and I enjoyed a fine lunch in good company. I thought I had a busy schedule but it pales into insignificance when compared to that of the Mayoralty. Dame Sue Langley gave a very informative report and was extremely positive about the strength and stability of the City of London and its place in the world’s economic and service sectors.

 

Tuesday 14th April Mercers’ Hall tour and lunch

 

I received a very kind invitation to lunch and a tour of Mercers’ Hall from fellow liveryman John Burton. John is a Wax Chandler, an Entrepreneur, and an Information Technologist. You may recall from last month’s newsletter that John is also Chairman of Pollinating London Together. John had bid successfully for the lunch and tour in a silent auction. For me it was an early start from home for what was to be a busy week but I was really looking forward to the tour of Mercers’ Hall. It was fascinating. The Mercers’ Company are first in the order of precedence and so have an exceptional history. With its entrance at Frederick’s Place, the Hall frontage is on Cheapside. The Hall straddles the site where St Thomas of Canterbury was born in a house owned by his father Gilbert Becket, a merchant who went on to become Sheriff in about 1139. Cheapside at that time was already an ancient street. It was 50 feet wide and the city’s principal market place with stalls in the middle of the street selling foodstuffs etc. It was also a place for establishments of the super-rich and the city base for the cathedral church of Canterbury and its archbishop. The Hall was totally destroyed in 1941 and rebuilt in the 1950s. Many of the precious artifacts were saved and reinstalled, including some wonderful crystal chandeliers which adorn the entrance, the ambulatory, the Court and the Dining Rooms. In pride of place is a very large portrait of Thomas Gresham by Hans Holbein. A Master Mercer three times, Gresham founded the Royal Exchange and Gresham College. The lunch itself was a very convivial affair in the company of Past Masters, a Prime Warden, a Spadebearer (Gardeners), a Woolman, a Carpenter and two Entrepreneurs!

 

Wednesday 6.00pm 15th April St Margaret Lothbury – Installation of Reverend Tosin Oladipo and reception at Armourers’ Hall

 

Heather Smith, Pat and I attended Choral Evensong at St Margaret Lothbury. This, however, was no ordinary Evensong, as shown on the front of the Order of Service:

 

 

The church filled up very quickly with a larger than usual congregation and extra seating was provided. To my pleasant surprise, seats had been reserved for ourselves and other Livery guests. Among these were Alderman Michael Mainelli and Master Glover Michael Dodd (no relation). The service is both a legal act and an act of worship. It marks the beginning of Tosin’s ministry as Rector of St Margaret Lothbury. The legal act comprises three parts: the Institution is the admission by the Bishop of the Rector into the Bishop’s spiritual oversight and care of the parish. The Induction is the admission by the Archdeacon of the Rector into the possession of the church buildings, churchyard and parsonage. During the Installation, the Archdeacon places the Rector in his stall.

 

I was privileged, as the senior Master, to lead the procession of the clergy, Masters and other dignitaries up the centre aisle. Among them was the Honorary Chaplain, the Venerable Dr Jonathan Smith. The choir of the Lothbury singers were, as always, in fine voice and Alderman Mainelli gave a reading. Following the Declaration and the Oaths, the congregation were invited to turn and watch as the Archdeacon placed the Rector’s hand on the church door handle, saying, “By virtue of this mandate, I induct you into the real actual and corporeal possession of this church and benefice.”

 

 

The Rector was then led by the Archdeacon to the tower where he tolled the bell. Finally, he was escorted to his stall where the Archdeacon said, “Tosin, I install you as the Rector of this church and benefice. May the Lord defend your going out and your coming in, from this time forth for evermore. Amen.” Prayers were then led by the new Rector and he was welcomed by Adekemi Adebajo on behalf of the Churchwardens (representing the parish), The Reverend Laura Jørgensen, Area Dean of the City of London (representing the clergy and the Synod of the City Deanery) and Deputy Chris Hayward St Margaret Lothbury. The altar dressed for the installation of Reverend Tosin Oladipo, (representing the City and Civic Community). On conclusion of the service, the guests were invited to Armourers’ Hall for a reception where Tosin, now with family and friends, was warmly congratulated.

 

Thursday 16th March Lady Mayor’s Big Curry Lunch – Guildhall

 

Thanks to Past Master Simon Martin and his long association with the Big Curry Lunch, attendance at this event is firmly established as a tradition for the Tylers and Bricklayers. This year was no exception as a dedicated band of 29 members and guests enjoyed a champagne reception, a wonderfully tasty curry and excellent company. I was privileged to receive an invitation to the Royal Reception in the Guildhall Art Gallery where I met several other Masters and Prime Wardens. The guest of honour was HRH the Duke of Gloucester, himself a Liveryman, who was introduced to a number of guests by the founder of LMBCL, Michael Hockney. There was plenty to see and do, with livery companies such as the Pewterers, Fruiterers, Framework Knitters, Leathersellers and Turners displaying their wares.

 

Tuesday 21st April Worshipful Company of Architects - Spring Lunch at Cutlers’ Hall

It’s always a pleasure to visit Cutlers’ Hall and this was no exception. On this occasion, the Master, Consort and the Learned Clerk accepted a kind invitation from the Master and Wardens of the Worshipful Company of Chartered Architects to attend their Spring Livery Lunch. It was held in the presence of the Lady Mayor, the Sheriffs and their Consorts. The guests were welcomed by the Renter Warden of the Architects’ Company. The Lady Mayor gave an inspiring speech in which she

spoke about the architects’ profession as part of the success of the City of London. This was in the wider context of the livery movement and its talent, confidence and growth. The Architects’ Company is one of the ‘modern’ livery companies. It was founded in 1984 and received its Royal Charter from Queen Elizabeth II in 2019.

 

 

Among the more than 100 guests were Past Master Tyler and Bricklayer David Cole-Adams and his wife Mary. David is one of the founding members of the Architects’ Company and was instrumental in it’s becoming a Livery Company. It was good to see them both.

 

Thursday 23rd April St George’s Day Banquet at Mansion House

 

It was a very pleasant surprise to receive not one but two invitations for Pat and myself from fellow liveryman John Burton. John is not only a farmer and an ardent environmentalist, he is a Wax Chandler, an Entrepreneur and a World Trader. The first invitation was to attend the Royal Society of St George, The City of London Branch Banquet to Celebrate St George’s Day as his guests. His second invitation was to a drinks reception before the banquet at the Wallbrook Club. Hidden away behind the church of St Stephen Wallbrook, it is the only family-run private members’ club in London. The Queen Anne style building looks tiny, dwarfed as it is by the church and, even more so, by the skyscrapers around it. Following our drinks with fellow liverymen, we took the short walk to Mansion House where we joined around 250 guests who were welcomed by the Chairman Andrew Marsden MStJ, The Lady Mayor and her Consort along with the full civic party. The Egyptian Hall looked splendid, with everyone wearing evening dress and many sporting red roses. We chatted with other guests including the Sheriffs, Alderman Robert Hughes-Penney and Deputy Keith Bottomley and their Consorts before taking our seats for the four-course banquet. This included the traditional parade of “The Roast Beef of England,” accompanied by the Lady Mayor’s own ATC Cadets and supported by the 1st City of London Scout Group. Music throughout the evening was provided by members of the Royal Marines Association while a choir, dubbed “Marsden’s Musical Angels” after the Chairman Andrew Marsden, led the singing of songs such as Rule Britannia, Jerusalem, Land of Hope and Glory and others. It was a very enjoyable evening in celebration of England’s patron saint.

 

28th April Worshipful Company of Plumbers’ Luncheon at Grocers’ Hall

 

Despite the best efforts of Avanti West Coast trains and Network Rail, I arrived just in time for the Plumbers’ Luncheon with Masters and Clerks. Fortunately, Grocers’ Hall is only a skip and a jump from Bank Station and I was able to join Master Plumber Sandra Raine and 16 Masters and Prime Wardens in the photocall and procession. I received a very warm welcome from Sandra and her Consort Ian and was seated with Past Master Plumber David Adams and his wife Kathy. To my left was Court Assistant Professor Mala Rao. Like the Tylers and Bricklayers, the WCO Plumbers is an ancient company, 31st in Order of Precedence, and a member of the Livery Construction Group.

 

 

The Master Plumber gave an interesting and witty welcome speech before introducing the guest speaker. Master Elect of the Worshipful Company of Arts Scholars, John Benjamin is known to viewers of the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow for his regular appearances and contributions as a jewellery expert. John talked about how much he was looking forward to being installed as Master in May and his role as a jeweller. Earlier in the day, John had offered to look at and value any items brought in by members of the Company. In an entertaining and informative speech, he told of his chance identification and valuation of a Victorian sapphire of such size and quality that when sold in auction at Christy’s realised a price of £53,000. The owner had previously been told it was a cheap piece of glass worth about £3!

 

30th April Consort’s visit to “Inky” Stephens House

 

On an unusually warm and sunny day, I accompanied Pat and a group of livery members, consorts and guests on a visit to Stephens House and Gardens in Finchley. The house was built in the 1870s by Henry ‘Inky’ Stephens, who was heir to the Stephens Ink Company as well as a chemist, entrepreneur, local MP and philanthropist. He was also a member of the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers. We were given a fascinating tour of the house and gardens, as well as the Stephens Collection showing the development of their famous blue-black ink and the life and work of Henry Stephens. At the end of the tour, we enjoyed a delicious home-cooked lunch and glass of wine, before making the most of the beautiful gardens in the April sunshine.

 

 

Alan Dodd - Master