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Wednesday 6th May 2026 City Memorial Service for the Late Sally Muggeridge at St Stephen Wallbrook
Along with several Past Masters and her many friends in the Tylers and Bricklayers, I attended the service of thanksgiving in memory of the Late Reverend Sally Muggeridge, organised by her husband Court Assistant David Williams, her family and friends. It was a celebration of her life and all that Sally had achieved in the church, the livery, business and academia. David read from Romans 8:35 verses 37-39. The Rector of St Bride’s, Fleet Street the Reverend Canon Dr Alison Joyce, Honorary Chaplain to the Marketors’ Company, led the Prayers of Intercession. The afternoon ended with friends and family sharing a farewell drink and snacks.
Wednesday 6th May 2026 – Worshipful Company of Educators’ Military Education Lecture at Bakers’ Hall
After leaving St Stephen Wallbrook, I had a very brisk walk to reach Bakers’ Hall in time to get a decent seat for this sell out event. The speaker General Sir Richard Barrons KCB CBE served as Commander Joint Forces Command from April 2013 until his retirement in April 2016. Among his many achievements, he was a contributor to the UK Prime Minister’s’ 2025 Strategic Defence Review. The theme was War in the 21st Century and Your Part in it. The purpose was to explore the threats facing the United Kingdom and our allies, and the imperative for education policymakers and leaders to act in building both individual and institutional resilience. It was an extremely thought- provoking lecture.
Friday 8th May 2026 – National Federation of Roofing Contractors – Roofing Awards at the O2 Intercontinental Hotel
I suspect, based on the sheer number of guests at the NFRC Roofing Awards, that this is the main event for every slate and tile roofer in the UK. Over 800 roofers, tilers and those associated with industry had a really good day. I was about to write “good lunch” but as it started with a reception at midday and finished at 8.00pm, it was so much more! In the foyer, I met up with the Chairman of the Craft Committee, Court Assistant Ian Wilson. We also caught up with Liveryman Andy Rowlands and his son Ben, Liveryman Stuart Black, and three generations of the Emerton family. Andy’s firm, Rowland’s Roofing went on to win the Heritage Award, and the Supreme best project Award. It was a pleasure to catch up with Colin McCorquodale, the current President of the NFRC.
Tuesday 12th May 2026 – The Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace
A distinct privilege of being Master and Consort is receiving an invitation to the Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace. This year it was hosted by the King and Queen. The grounds and gardens of the palace are huge and very well cared for. It was a cool day but the threatened rain didn’t materialise. Pat and I watched the royal couple greeting guests and then managed to sit at a table on the lawn for a very pleasant high tea. Surprisingly, we bumped into a couple of friends who live in our part of the world. The afternoon ended very pleasantly with an invitation from the Master Solicitor and her Consort to join them for drinks at the Reform Club.
Wednesday 13th May 2026 – The Mercers’ Company Concert and Dinner at Mercers’ Hall
This was the very first time Pat and I had received an invitation to an event where the dress code was ‘smoking jackets and cocktail dresses’! As I owned neither, I went for the black-tie option. The Mercers’ Company are number 1 in order of precedence and Mercers’ Hall, as I have previously reported, never fails to impress. On this occasion 135 Masters, Prime Wardens, Upper Bailiffs and their Consorts took their seats for what was a very entertaining musical evening. Centre stage was a grand piano. The Beadle announced the Master Mercer who, in turn, introduced George & the Dragon, an award-winning song and piano duo, praised for their “brilliant interplay and comic timing”. Dinner was a very convivial affair with 17 tables of 8 in the Large Court Room and adjoining Court Dining Room. Pat and I joined the Master Fletcher, Master Farmer, their Consorts and the Master Launderer.
Thursday 14th May 2026 – The Tylers and Bricklayers’ Guest Banquet at Butchers’ Hall
It was a full house at Butchers’ Hall for the Annual Guest banquet where we were joined by members and their guests for the first of our formal dinners. As a Company we had not visited this Hall for many years so it was good to be back. A full report of this event is on the website: Annual Banquet - May 2026 | Tylers & Bricklayers. I will just say it was a pleasure to meet all our guests, including Sir Andrew Parmley KStJ, Lord Mayor 2016-17.
Friday 22nd May 2026 – ‘The Oiling of the Gates’ Ceremony. The Worshipful Company of Chartered Architects, Temple Bar
On a very hot and sunny Friday morning several Masters, Prime Wardens, Upper Bailiffs, Company Clerks, guests and members of the public gathered at Temple Bar in Paternoster Square to witness the annual Oiling of the Gates Ceremony. The Architects’ Company, whose Hall is at Temple Bar, is required by the Corporation to carry out yearly maintenance of the hinges since taking on duties of ‘Opening the Gates’ for ceremonial occasions. The ‘Opening of the Gates’ is now listed as a part of the Intangible Heritage of the Square Mile. Temple Bar is the only surviving ‘gate’ in the City of London. The event involved an inspection of the closed gate by engineer Michael Coombes, the Master of the Gates, who lubricated the hinges. This was followed by the opening of the gates by the Upper Warden of the Worshipful Company of Architects. This unique and historic event also had a guard of honour provided by the Pikemen and Musketeers of the Honourable Artillery Company. Members of the public, many of them tourists, enjoyed an amazing spectacle and an historical address by none other than ‘Sir Christopher Wren’!
Saturday 23rd May 2026 – Christ’s Hospital School, Horsham. Open Day
Another already hot morning saw me on the train from Victoria to Christ’s Hospital School for the School’s Open Day. Situated just outside Horsham, the School has its own train station, from where it’s just a short walk. The Open Day and Prize Giving is a prestigious affair attended by civic dignitaries including, on this occasion, the Lord Mayor Locum Tenens Alderman and Mrs Vincent Keaveny, the Sheriffs and Consorts and the full civic party. Gathering in the Chapel, pupils, parents
and guests were accompanied by the Choir and the School Brass Ensemble in the opening prayer service. After the Service and making our way to the Quad, I was delighted to see Past Master Tom and Mrs Caroline Rider. Tom is a Donation Governor at the School as the Tylers and Bricklayers had previously funded two Presentees. The Prize Giving took place in the building known as ‘Big School’ where prizes were awarded by several livery companies. The Senior Grecian (Head Girl) gave an oration to which Alderman Vincent Keaveny responded.
Leaving ‘Big School’ with Tom and Caroline we spotted our Presentee, Freeman Onyinye Udokporo and Apprentice Kiyan Rahman. Onyinye is now mentoring a year-seven pupil while Kiyan will leave at the end of term when he will probably go on to university.
Monday 1st June 2026 – Visit and tour of The Old Bailey
The visit was organised by the City Consorts’ Society and the host was Kevin Bradford, Consort to Deputy and Sheriff Keith Bottomley. So on this occasion I was a guest of my Consort, Pat. The reception was held in the Judges Dining Room where, after a brief introduction from our guide Jay, the tour began. The Old Bailey is the Central Criminal Court of England and Wales. The building is owned by the City of London Corporation. In all there are 18
courts and in each one the central chair is always reserved for the Lord Mayor, who is the Chief Justice of the City of London. It is where some of the most serious crimes and infamous criminals have been tried. It is very much a working court today and this was evident by the queue at one entrance as members of the public waited to be allowed into the public galleries of the various courts. We were given a very informative tour including Court Number One and the cells.
Friday 5th June 2026 – The Tile Association Awards Dinner at the Metropole Hotel, NEC Birmingham
The Tile Association Awards begin long before the dinner at the Metropole Hotel as there are some highly technical elements of wall and floor tiling to judge. In March I was invited to join a judging panel of some 18 tiling experts where I judged in just 4 categories out of a total of 14. There was also the Lifetime Achievement and Employee of the Year awards. My relationship with The Tile Association goes back 20 years, and long before I was a Tyler and Bricklayer. In 2006 I had already been CEO of the Children Today Charitable Trust for 3 years when I met David Forbes, MD of Nicholls & Clarke and the Chairman of The Tile Association. Thanks to David, both organisations adopted Children Today as their charity and I’m delighted to say the relationship and support for disabled children continues to this day. It was a pleasure to catch up with David and other friends.
Tuesday 9th June 2026 – A private dinner with the Master Leatherseller and Consort
It was a very pleasurable start to a busy week when Pat and I were invited to dinner with Martin and Sharon Dove in their apartment at Leathersellers’ Hall. We were joined by the Prime Warden and Consort of the WCO Basketmakers Mark and Clare Cooper. It was a very enjoyable and relaxing evening among good friends.
Thursday 11th June 2026 – Ts and Bs Court Meeting and Livery Luncheon with Masters and Clerks at Cutlers’ Hall
We were back at Cutlers’ Hall for the Court meeting and Livery luncheon for Masters and Clerks. I think it’s safe to say that Cutlers’ Hall is one of the Ts and Bs favourite livery halls. The Court stood for a moment’s silence in memory of Liveryman and Company Steward David Fensom. At this meeting it was my pleasure to admit Andrew Emerton as a Freeman of the Company, following the Court’s unanimous approval. Andrew received his yellow ribbon, badge and a spontaneous round of applause. The next item of business, again following the unanimous approval of the Court, was the Clothing of three new Liverymen - Nicholas Rolls, Danny Lyon and Joe Wegener -who made their affirmation and received their blue ribbon and a round of applause. There is a full report of the luncheon on our website.
Joining Pollinating London Together
I was very pleased that the Court unanimously approved my recommendation that the Tylers and Bricklayers join Pollinating London Together (PLT). It is a pan-Livery initiative established to halt the decline of pollinators across the City of London and its immediate surroundings by enhancing green spaces for the benefit of all. Here is a link with more information about the initiative: Home - Pollinating London Together
Thursday 11th June 2026 – Royal Regiment of Fusiliers’ & City of London Cadet Force Adult Volunteer Dinner at Mercers’ Hall
Principal guests at this black-tie dinner were the Lady Mayor Dame Sue Langley and her Consort. The dinner was in recognition of the invaluable work done by adult volunteers supporting young people serving as cadets in London. Following the introduction, the Lady Mayor, flanked by two Brigadiers, gave a brief address in which she thanked all those who gave their time, energy and expertise to the various cadet units that were represented. As an Honorary Colonel of Cadets, Gary Langley also gave a brief speech. This was followed by a number of short presentations, the first of which was by Professor Simon Denny and focused on the value of cadets to society. Since 1685 The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers’ Headquarters has been HM Tower of London. There are Reserve units at Balham and Blackheath, and 13 Fusilier Army Cadet Force detachments across Greater London. The dinner was attended by several other Masters.
Friday 12th June 2026 – Ts and Bs Annual Wine Committee meeting and lunch at Davy’s The Boot & Flogger, Southwark
I am thoroughly enjoying my year as Master so far and being invited to join members of the Wine Committee for their annual meeting under the chairmanship of Past Master Philip Parris, was more icing on the cake! There was quite a lot of formal business to get through. The Wine Committee is responsible for choosing the wines we will drink and serve to our guests while ensuring their quality and value for money. Wines are bought en primeur and stored securely in Davy’s cellars until needed. That means choosing each red, white, sparkling, dessert, Port or Madeira for drinking in maybe seven or more years into the future. I learned a lot more about our wines and had a very enjoyable afternoon.
Monday 22nd June 2026 – Livery Garden Party at The Charterhouse, London
This was my first visit to the London Charterhouse, Clerkenwell, a historic complex of buildings dating from the 14th century. Originally built as a Carthusian priory, founded in 1371 on the site of a Black Death burial ground, it was rebuilt from 1554 onwards to become one of the great courtyard houses of Tudor London. There are fine examples of Tudor brickwork in the Norfolk cloister. I was joined at this inaugural event by our Clerk, Heather following an invitation from the Master Gardener Alderman Robert Howard and the Master of Charterhouse Peter Aiers. Following an introduction and welcome, the Lady Mayor Dame Susan Langley DBE officially opened what many hope will become a regular summer event in the livery calendar.
Tuesday 23rd June 2026 – WCO Weavers. The Weaver’s Trade Book Launch and Exhibition at Christ Church, Spitalfields
The Worshipful Company of Weavers’ will celebrate their 900th anniversary in 2030. This event was to launch the Company’s history in a book called The Weaver’s Trade by Alex Martin and Emma Crichton-Miller, which highlights the extraordinary diversity of an industry that continues to evolve and innovate. The evening brought together representatives from livery companies, the textile industry and members of the Weavers’ Company past and present. Christ Church stands at the centre of Spitalfields, home to generations of silk weavers who helped shape one of London’s most distinctive communities. The authors had signed a few copies of the book and I was fortunate enough to receive one.
Wednesday 24th June 2026 – Breakfast at Carpenters’ Hall, Common Hall and Election of Sheriffs; Ts and Bs Lunch at the Guildhall Club; The Armed Forces Flag Raising Ceremony at Guildhall Yard; 125th Anniversary Celebration of the Royal Navy Submarine Service at Mansion House
Another busy day in a very busy week. It began with Breakfast for Masters and Clerks at Carpenters’ Hall hosted by The Cook and Butler. I very rarely drink sparkling wine at 8.30 in the morning but I take my responsibility as Master seriously and it was in a good cause. Mark Grove, Past Master Cook served a wonderful ‘full English’ and in the relaxed atmosphere gentlemen were allowed to remove their jackets as the temperature was rising quickly.
After breakfast, we made our way to Guildhall for Common Hall and the Election of Sheriffs. You can read more about this event on our website: Common Hall & Election of Sheriffs 2026 | Tylers & Bricklayers. After the elections, I joined a small group of Tylers and Bricklayers in the Guildhall Club for lunch.
The City of London Corporation Annual Armed Forces Flag Raising Ceremony would, under normal weather conditions, have taken place in Guildhall Yard. On this occasion, with the afternoon temperature exceeding 30 degrees Celsius, the ceremony took place indoors in the Great Hall. The parade included London area Sea Cadets, supported by the band of HM Royal Marines Collingwood.
The invitation to the 125th Anniversary Celebration of the Royal Navy Submarine Service at Mansion House came jointly from Captain Chris Groves a former RN submariner and Master Tin Plate Worker, and Professor Andrew Mc Naughton, the Master Engineer. Starting at 5.30pm with a reception and formal opening welcome by the Mayoral Consort, (Hon) Colonel Gary Langley, there were a number of presentations. After a short break the contemporary operational perspective, A Year in the Life of a Submariner was presented in stark detail by the Commanding Officers from each of one of the UK’s SSN and SSBN submarines. A Birthday Cake cutting ceremony was performed by the Lady Mayor and a slice served to each of the 300 guests. To close the evening, the Royal Marines Band Service performed the ceremonial Sunset and Beating the Retreat in the splendour of the Egyptian Hall.
Thursday 25th June 2026 – Honourable Company of Master Mariners’ Centenary Dinner at Guildhall and in the presence of The Master, HRH The Prince Edward Duke of Edinburgh KG KT GCVO
Over 500 guests turned up at Guildhall for this special occasion. As one may imagine, security was tight. We were received by the Master of the Honourable Company of Master Mariners HRH the Duke of Edinburgh. The Master gave a very witty introductory speech, noting that while being the younger brother to the Princess Royal, herself a former Master Mariner, who would respond on behalf of the guests, on this occasion it is he who would have the last word! Dinner was then served, commencing with a tot of Woods 100 Old Navy Rum.
Tuesday 30th June 2026 – The Master’s Trip to Manchester
A full report will follow in due course ( Latest T&Bs News | Tylers & Bricklayers) but suffice to say the trip to Manchester was thoroughly enjoyable. Pat and I were delighted to host friends, family and guests during a warm and mostly dry couple of days. Despite the best efforts of cattle straying onto the west coast line, everyone arrived at the iconic Midland Hotel in time to enjoy a guided walking tour of the city centre. Andrew, our guide, encouraged us to look up as well as around in order to see the best of the city’s historic architecture and cultural sights. That evening we headed to the Blues Kitchen, an early 20th century pub with extremely fine examples of encaustic tiles and mosaics. Ignoring the early evening drizzle, we then made our way to The St James’s Club, Manchester’s oldest private members’ club, for dinner. The following morning our group boarded a coach to travel to the Jodrell Bank Observatory, where we spent a fascinating day. We arrived back at the hotel in time to change for a formal dinner in the Lancaster Suite. With a more leisurely start to Thursday, we walked to one of Manchester’s most famous buildings, the John Rylands Library, built in the Gothic style to house a unique collection of books. With our tour complete there was time for some of us to explore more of the city, do some shopping and enjoy lunch before travelling home.
Alan Dodd - Master