62. Prison, Advice and Care Trust (Pact) Reception 22 March

I was pleased to accept an invitation to a reception at the Old Bailey to celebrate the work of volunteers who support defendant’s families in Court. The event was in aid of “Pact” – a national charity that supports prisoners, people with convictions and their families. The event was held in the Judges Dining Room. It was opened by His Honour Nicholas Hilliard QC the Recorder of London who welcomed the guests, among whom were a goodly number of Livery Masters.

Among the speakers was the mother of a young man who had been arrested, convicted and imprisoned. She told us of how Pact had helped her and her family deal with the situation from the outset and throughout the trial. She went on to say how they had intervened when the young man refused to see his family and was on the verge of self harming in prison and how the situation had then been normalised. A very moving account.

Following presentations to outstanding Pact volunteers we split into groups and were given a tour of the Old Bailey, viewing an exposed part of the original Roman Wall, the site of the old Newgate Prison and gallows, and one of the original Court Rooms, ending up in the magnificent Great Hall. A very interesting and thought provoking evening.

61. WET10 Debate 21 March

It was my pleasure to chair this year’s highly topical Wet10 Debate “Mind the Gap – The future water security challenge for London and South East England” which was sponsored by Thames Water. A large audience of Company members and guests heard Richard Aylard, Thames Water’s External Affairs and Sustainability Director set the scene with an excellent presentation of their draft Water Resources Management Plan. This was followed by speakers who formed a Review Panel consisting of John Dickie, from London First, Sir Tony Redmond, Regional Chair of the Consumer Council for Water, Leonie Cooper, the London Assembly Member who chairs their Environment committee and Martin Salter, National Campaigns Co-Ordinator of the Angling Trust. A lively debate followed by questions from the floor. The evening was rounded-off with drinks and canapés and further lively discussion. All-in-all an excellent evening. Much thanks are due to Rob Casey and Ralph Riley who bore the brunt of the organisation.

60. Scientific Instrument Makers Livery Lunch, 20 March 2018

I was delighted to be invited by the Master and Wardens of the Scientific Instrument Makers to their Informal Livery Lunch at their newly refurbished Hall by the Thames. I was one of eight visiting Masters and Clerks. It was a pleasure to be seated next to Past Master Captain Guy Brocklebank RN and Steward John Comer. They were most interesting company and we engaged in wide ranging conversation. The meal and wines were excellent and the time passed rapidly. My thanks to the Master Scientific Instrument Maker for the very kind invitation.

59. United Guilds Service and Lunch, 16 March

Following a rather late night, Sandra and I were up early and back in the City to attend the 76th Service of the United Guilds of the City of London at St Paul’s Cathedral. This service is attended by the Masters, Wardens and members of every Livery Company. The Cathedral is filled to capacity. It was a little disappointing that the Water Conservators were only represented by seven people. Considerably fewer than in previous years.

There is a great deal of pageantry at the start and conclusion of the service with processions in and out of Beadles, Masters and Prime Wardens of selected Companies and Sheriffs followed by the Choir and Church dignitaries.  An interesting and in part humorous sermon was given by the Bishop of Edmundsbury and Ipswich. 

At the conclusion of the service the gathering of Liverymen in their gowns on the steps of St Paul’s draws considerable attention from tourists and the general public. The Water Conservators were invited to lunch by the Master Cook in the Alderman’s Dining Room at the Guildhall. We were welcomed by the Master, Mark Grove, and enjoyed a splendid meal from the Cook and the Butler! Our grateful thanks to Mark for the very kind invitation. 

58. Dinner at the Mansion House, 15 March

After the engagement at Myddelton School I swiftly moved on to the Mansion House where I met with Sandra and changed into my white tie evening suit! The invitation to dinner from the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress was extended to the Masters, Prime Wardens and Upper Bailiff of all the Livery Companies and their Consorts. It was attended by some 270 people.

The Mansion House is of course a fantastic venue and it was a great honour to be greeted by the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress, the two Sheriffs and their Consorts. The reception was an opportunity to mingle and chat with a number of Masters and their Consorts in many cases for more than once that week! Dining in the Egyptian Room (which I learned is actually Roman in style) is always a highlight and this was no exception. A sumptuous meal with fine wines in splendid company was accompanied by light music from The Honourable Artillery Company Band. Speeches by the Master Mercer, the Master Grocer and the Lord Mayor rounded off the meal and were followed by a Styrrup Cup. A most memorable evening.

The picture is the outside cover of the dinner menu and depicts the procession of Sir James Whitehead who was Lord Mayor in 1888/89.

57. Hugh Myddelton School STEAM Classroom, 15 March

I was delighted, as Master of the Company and a Trustee of the Water Conservation Trust, to attend the official launch of the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths) Laboratory at Hugh Myddelton School. The Trust have funded all the furniture in the room and laboratory coats for the children. Walbrook Warden Rob Casey, who has put a great deal of time and effort working with the school and is now a School Governor, must be congratulated on this achievement. 

It was great to see the children engaged in a such a variety of different activities and also the enthusiasm of the headmaster and staff at the school. There were also representatives of Islington Council and other local schools who went away highly impressed by what they had seen.

Roger North, Chairman of the Trust formally opened the facility which bears a plaque with the crest of the Company and a tribute to the funding of the facility by the Trust. 

56. Yet More Trial and Error at the Old Bailey, 14 March

For a number of years the Sheriffs’ and Recorder’s Fund have presented a revue at the Old Bailey with all the proceeds going in aid of the Fund. Sandra and I attended this year and were treated to an excellent evening of entertainment. The event started with reception drinks in the most impressive Grand Hall of the Central Criminal Court where it was a pleasure to meet with a number of Masters and their Consorts before going into No.2 Court for the entertainment! 

The revue, which was specially written, depicts scenes from a number of high profile trials. It was to say the least highly amusing. This year it included among others the trials of the “witch” Jane Wenham, Ruth Ellis, Stephen Ward and the magazine “Oz”. I had sponsored on behalf of the Company the opening piece about Norman Birkett KC who was finally appointed a Liberal Peer in the House of Lords where he argued strongly against Ullswater Lake being “depleted to meet the insistent water demands of Manchester Corporation”. It was this debate in the House of Lords, which he won, that was depicted.

All the actors, who included Judges, Barristers, Lawyers, Sheriffs and a former Lord Mayor of London are or have been involved in theatre and were truly excellent. It was particularly good to see Fiona Adler in the cast. Amost enjoyable evening.

55. The Modern Companies Dinner, 12 March

After a brief respite from lunch and a strong cup of coffee, I made my way to Watermen’s Hall for the Modern Companies Dinner of which there are two each year. It was the turn of our Company to organise the spring event this year. There was a splendid turnout with almost all the Modern Companies represented and I was delighted to welcome our guests to the reception drinks. An excellent 4 course dinner prepared by The Cook and the Butler was served with a selection of delightful wines in the elegant Watermen’s dining room. Our guest speaker was the Master International Banker, Senior Alderman Below the Chair Peter Estlin. He praised the Livery Companies for their charitable work, especially in the field of education, spoke of the current pressures on the City and the need for the Livery Companies to work closely together. He also kept us amused with some very humorous anecdotes. All in all an excellent evening with many compliments from those attending. My thanks to our Clerk Ralph Riley for organising the event.

54. Walbrook Ward Club AGM & Lunch, 12 March

Having been elected a member of the Walbrook Ward Club I attended their AGM and 209th Annual Luncheon. These events were held in the splendid Old Library at the Guildhall.  An opportunity to meet some very interesting people with links to the City, including our Treasurer, Past Master Peter Hall, and also to partake of an excellent meal in fine surroundings. The main speaker was Sheriff Neil Redcliffe who gave an interesting and humorous speech. An excellent start to the day.

53. The Company of Hackney Carriage Drivers Spring Court Dinner, 8 March

The Company has a close association with the Hackney Carriage Drivers through its support of their annual Disneyland taxi drive for disabled children. It was therefore a great pleasure to attend their Spring Court Dinner at the elegant Carpenters’ Hall. 

As ever the reception drinks allowed yet another opportunity to share views and pass the time of day with a number of Livery Masters. Having taken my place at table I was sorry to hear that the guests on my left were unable to attend due to illness, but they were more than made up for by others around.

Inevitably the conversation turned to the environmental impact of diesel cabs and I was horrified to learn that an all electric cab costs in the region of £60,000. A disincentive for many cab drivers if ever there was one!

The principal speaker was His Honour Judge Nicholas Hilliard QC who gave a most interesting and humorous speech. This was followed by presentation of awards and entertainment from a superb soprano accompanied by an excellent pianist. 

A truly excellent evening and my thanks go to the Master Hackney Carriage Driver for his kind invitation. 

52. Honourable Company of Master Mariners’ Court Lunch, 7 March

What a delight it was to be invited to the Honourable Company of Master Mariners’ Court Lunch on board HQS Wellington. After all the snow and rain a sunny day dawned and reception drinks were served on the afterdeck where after having been received by the Master, Martin Reed, it was good to catch-up with many Masters and Clerks of a wide range of Livery Companies.

I was honoured to be seated next to a former Lord Mayor of the City of Westminster who was extremely interesting to engage in conversation. An excellent meal and wines were served by the Cook and the Butler. The lunch was attended by the First Sea Lord and also the New Zealand High Commissioner. Unfortunately the principle speaker was taken ill at the crucial moment and had to leave and his place was taken by the High Commissioner.

A splendid lunch in excellent company and my thanks go to the Master of the Honourable Company for his kind invitation.

51. City Guides’ Derek Melluish Memorial Lecture, 5 March

I was delighted to join a large number of Masters and City of London Guides in the Church of St. Lawrence Jewry for the above lecture. After introductions which included the Chair of the City of London Guide Lecturers Association and the Chaplain, the lecture was delivered by Dr. Jane Sidell, Inspector of Ancient Monuments, Historic England and previously a Senior Research Fellow at UCL and Environmental Archaeologist.

Under the subject “Ancient Monuments for a Modern City” she explored how history and heritage make the City what it is today and traced its history from its origins as a small trading port to the present day highlighting many of the ancient monuments and where their remains can be found. It was interesting to hear how she actively works with developers in order to preserve ancient archaeological finds, encouraging them to develop but at the same time ensuring that our heritage is protected.

A truly interesting and fascinating evening rounded off with drinks and a very substantial finger buffet in the Church!