35. Edward Alleyn Club Dinner, 24 November

I have been a member of the “Alleyn Old Boys“ club since leaving the school in 1960. With the introduction of young ladies into the school some years ago the title had to be changed to “The Edward Alleyn Club”! The annual dinner is one of several splendid opportunities to meet up with former school friends and their wives. This year the event was not held in the school, but in the prestigious Old Hall in Lincoln’s Inn which was built during the reign of Henry VII in 1490. The hall was the centre of the Inn, where “benchers, barristers and students ate, met and held their moots and revels”!

 

An excellent meal was followed by a humorous speech by Dr Gary Savage, the current school headmaster. Regrettably, unlike our functions where a time limit is set, the speech that followed rambled on for some 30 minutes! Sandra and our friends pictured here made a swift exit by way of the staff area before the next speaker and the “moots and revels”!

34. Actuaries Lecture and Supper, 22 November

After the Lord Mayor’s briefing a number of Masters, including myself, made our way to Staple Inn Hall, the home of the actuarial profession, for the Worshipful Company of Actuaries annual lecture and supper.

Over 50 Livery Company Masters attended and we were seated at round tables in the magnificent hall. How fortunate that our speaker at the Myddelton Lunch this year, Michael Mainelli, the Master World Trader, was seated next to me! We were all thoroughly entertained by a talk from Sir David Spiegelhalter who is Professor for the Understanding of Risk at the University of Cambridge. His speech was entitled “Dodgy data in the news: how to spot it and how to stop it”. Injecting much humour, he showed many examples of how the press mis-use statistics from research. A thoroughly interesting and amusing talk.

The Lecture was followed by an excellent supper in fantastic surroundings with great company.

The photo below, taken after the supper, is of Michael Mainelli,  myself, and Cloe Andrews-Jones, the Master Fueller, who happened to “pop-up”!

33. Lord Mayor’s Address to Master’s and Clerks.

This briefing, held in the Egyptian Room at the Mansion House, is attended by the Masters and Clerks of all the Livery Companies. It is the occasion when the Lord Mayor sets out his plans. In the past this has been largely confined to his year in office. This year, the Lord Mayor, Alderman Charles Bowman, with the backing of his Sheriffs, Tim Hailes and Neil Redcliffe, and also Aldermen Peter Estlin and William Russell, set out a programme for the promotion of the City over a period of 3 years. In a most impressive speech he set out plans to build a City that was Inclusive, Healthy, Skilled and Fair and to work with the Mayor of London and a number of charities to do so. He also plans to extensively promote the City abroad and do everything necessary to protect the Livery movement.

Shortly before this briefing an article appeared in “The Guardian” criticising “lavish” spending by the Corporation of London which included the labour shadow chancellor describing the Corporation as a “rotten borough” which should be abolished! Clearly there are going to be difficult times ahead.

I managed a few brief words with the Lord Mayor, congratulated him on his speech and pledged support where possible.

32. WET Network

Our charity, The Water Conservation Trust, was given an eight minute slot at the ongoing series of WET Network events on 15 November. Chairman Roger North gave an impressive presentation about the work of the trustees in universities and schools, promoting knowledge about water and the environment. The main event topics were innovation by young companies and the obstacles which prevent rapid uptake in the water sector. Some solutions were offered by the keynote speaker, Caroline Wadsworth. Thanks go to Fleet Warden Mark Lane for the opportunity to illustrate our work and the invitations to myself and other trustees. There was an opportunity after the presentations for us to network on behalf of the Company and a number of people expressed an interest in joining. These are being followed–up.

31. Remembrance Day Service

Each year the Company is invited to lay a wreath as part of the Remembrance Day Service at the Merchant Navy War Memorial at Tower Hill. It is organised by the Honourable Company of Master Mariners to commemorate seafarers of both the Merchant and Royal Navies who lost their lives at sea in the two World Wars and other conflicts. This year on a very sunny, cold and windy day, I was privileged to do the honours on behalf of the Company. My consort, Sandra, was in attendance and it was good to see Fleet Warden Mark Lane and his wife Judy there as well. The service was conducted by the Hon. Chaplain of the Master Mariners Company. A very thought provoking service including a very poignant prayer which contained the words – “look mercifully upon the unrest of the world…..Grant understanding to the nations …….that they may be united in a true fellowship…….so that the sacrifices of those who died have not been in vain.” Some 70 wreaths were then laid.

The morning was rounded off with a reception at Trinity House.

30. The Lord Mayor’s Show

Why does it always seem to rain on the day of the Lord Mayor’s Show? Well, at least today it stopped just as the procession started. Walking with the Modern Companies I was accompanied by Walbrook Warden, Rob Casey, and the banner was carried by my son Freeman Andrew Williamson. Surprisingly the wet start did not deter the crowds. Passing the Mansion House we were warmly acknowledged by the new Lord Mayor, Charles Bowman and also by the previous Lord Mayor, Andrew Parmley. The route past St. Paul’s, down Ludgate Hill, up Fleet Street and past the Law Courts was thronged with spectators cheering and waving with children delighting in the sweets that were distributed and giving “high fives” alI the way. The lunch break on HQS Wellington provided an opportunity to chat with other Masters and Wardens of the Modern Livery Companies and thanks to the Master Mariner to refresh our palates with Champagne! The return journey to London Wall seemed to pass very quickly! A fun day and an opportunity to promote the Company’s name with the public.

29. Husting & Reception in support of The Hon. Liz Green

The Livery Companies play a large part in the election process for City Sheriffs, who are elected annually on Midsummer Day . The predominant role of the Sheriffs is to support the Lord Mayor in their official duties undertaken on behalf of the City of London Corporation. The election process for 2018 has started early and three candidates are emerging. The Hon Liz Green made an interesting presentation at Armourers' Hall on 9 November. Here, her campaign manager Roger Southam explains the finer points.

28. Horners Ralph Anderson Lecture

The Royal Society of Medicine was the venue for the 20th Horners lecture delivered by Dr Matthew Burke, Head of Drug delivery at GSK, which focused on the use of polymers in drug and medicine delivery applications. Examples of this are stents, inhalers, sutures, and medicinal capsules. A very interesting and well illustrated presentation which was, in places, extremely thought provoking. In the questions that followed it became evident that polymers used to control the release of medication, having passed through the body and into the sewage system cannot easily be recovered and generally end up in the discharge to our rivers and eco-systems!

The lecture was followed by an excellent buffet supper.

27. Service of Thanksgiving for the Lord Mayor

The third event of the day was the Service of Thanksgiving for the Lord Mayor and his role with the City Livery Companies and Ward Clubs. This was held at the church of St Stephen Walbrook, which is situated just below the Mansion House. The church is unusual in that it has a central round altar which was designed by Henry Moore and made of a single piece of travertine marble. The design concept was for people to gather as a community to worship. The service of thanksgiving included a sermon by the Revd Canon Roger Royle, Chaplain to the Lord Mayor, which was both humorous and thought provoking. The service was followed by wine and canapés and yet another opportunity to socialise! 

26. Lunch at Waterman’s Hall

Following the service at St. Paul’s I, and a number of other Masters and their Clerks, were invited by the Master and Clerk of the Company of Watermen & Lightermen of the River Thames and the Cook and the Butler Event Company to Waterman’s Hall to a Wine and Fork Buffet Luncheon. This provided a splendid opportunity to relax and converse with the many Masters and Clerks assembled and also enjoy the excellent buffet that was provided. Following this a number of us were invited to the City Livery Club to while away an hour or so before our next engagement.

25. St. Paul’s Cathedral, Garden of Remembrance

The service to open the Garden of Remembrance at St. Paul’s Cathedral is held to launch the City of London Poppy Appeal. It is attended by the Lord Mayor, all the Livery Companies and a number of other organisations represented in the City. The morning started with breakfast in the Crypt of St. Paul’s following which the Masters of all the Livery Companies collected their poppies, which were attached to a cross, and then assembled together with the Band of the Scots Guards, the Standards of the Royal British Legion and the choirs of the City of London Schools, in the Garden of Remembrance. As part of the service, which was conducted by the Dean of St. Paul’s, the crosses were planted by representatives of the many organisations in attendance. A very thought provoking and moving experience.

24. Annual Banquet

What a pleasure it was to welcome members and guests to the impressive Cutler’s Hall for our Annual Banquet. In particular it was good to have representatives of Thames Water and Hydraulic Analysis, two of our Corporate Members, with us. Also Commander Nick Foster, commander of HMS Scott, with which the Company has a close affiliation. It was also good to have ladies from the Poplar and Blackwell District Rowing Club, who have been outstanding in winning every race in our Cutter, with us.

I was also pleased to welcome an old friend, Ian Harris, the Chief Executive of the Wine and Spirit Education Trust as the guest speaker. Ian’s speech was both interesting and humorous. We were also well entertained by students from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama with their renditions of songs from stage shows.

Judging from the noise level of conversation and the applause it seems that the evening was enjoyed by all.

23. Livery Dinner at Vintner’s Hall

I was privileged to be invited by the principle guest at our banquet next week to a white tie dinner at the Vintner’s Hall. The principle speaker was the Lord Mayor, and the Lady Mayoress together with the two Sheriffs were also in attendance. The food, and as may be expected, the wine, were excellent! The Lord Mayor’s speech was, as always, most humorous. A very impressive and absolutely splendid evening.