40. Visit to Hampton Court Palace, 9 December

11.00 am on a gloriously sunny, but bitter cold , day saw a total of 22 Members and partners congregating outside the main gate of the Palace. We were then led by my Bailiff, Christine Jarvis, who was our guide, into this historic wonderland. A brief history outside and then into Henry VIII’s Kitchens where among other things we learned how bread was cooked and the origin of the term “Upper Crust”. On to the meat kitchen where we found out that the huge joints on display served only 4-6 people! From there we went into the Great Hall with its magnificent hammer beam ceiling with each beam having a small head on it, origin of the phrase “Eaves Dropping”, and walls covered with magnificent tapestries. On then through the apartments to the Royal Chapel and the replica Royal Crown. 

Time for lunch at the “Mute Swan” just across the road from the Palace. An excellent meal was served with a few glasses of wine and a great deal of conversation! After the meal those who wished then returned to the Palace to continue the tour and/or to wander round the BBC Festive Fayre.

My thanks particularly to Christine Jarvis who helped with the arrangements and who made the tour both interesting and amusing.

39. Big Curry Lunch Launch, 7 December

Sandra and I, together with Deputy Master Keith Tozzi and Fiona attended the reception to launch the Lord Mayor’s Big Curry Lunch. The event, to promote the lunch next April, is well attended by the Livery and other supporters. Regrettably the Lord Mayor was not able to attend this year, but he was represented by his two Sheriffs, Tim Hailes and Neil Redcliffe.

It has been the custom that the proceeds from the Lunch go to ABF The Soldiers’ Charity. It was reported that the current years Lunch had raised £188,000, bringing the total raised in the first ten years of the Lunch to £1.7m. This had been achieved through the generosity of the Livery Companies and Ward Clubs and the support of corporate and individual sponsors. The aim next year is to increase this to nearer £200,000.

There is to be a change in the beneficiaries of the proceeds from the lunch that will take place on 11 April next year in that for the first time they will be distributed between all three Services. The Company has always donated a substantial sum, mainly from the collection following the Election Court, and we will continue to do so in 2018. The Lunch itself is an amazing event and is open to all members of the company. Tickets can be obtained from www.soldierscharity.org/events/the-lord-mayors-big-curry-lunch.

38. Walbrook Ward Club’s Annual Banquet

The City of London is divided into 25 wards, each with an ancient form of local government, which avoided the many local government reforms in the 19th and 20th centuries. The ward of Walbrook contains two of the City's most notable landmarks: the Bank of England and Mansion House. Every ward has a club and Sandra and I were invited to the Walbrook Ward Club’s 208th Anniversary Banquet held at the Saddlers’ Hall by Past Master (and Club member) Peter Hall and his wife Georgina on 6 December. 

Presided over by Alderman John Garbutt (Upper Bailiff of the Weavers’ Company) we had a relaxed and very enjoyable evening. John spoke about the foundations of Livery Company precedent and how the Weavers, arguably the earliest, missed out in the reign of Henry VIII when the (modern) precedence was fixed on the basis of the value of ‘loans’ to the Crown. 

A delicious Christmas menu with fine wine and great company made the evening pass too quickly. Music, which included a spectacular rendering of the “Post Horn Gallop”, was provided by The London Banqueting Ensemble.

A thoroughly enjoyable evening for which our thanks go to Peter and Georgina.

37. Mercers’ Company Livery Concert & Supper

Sandra and I were delighted to be invited to Mercers’ Hall for their Concert and Supper. And what a splendid evening it was! Some 70 Livery Companies were represented and it was good to meet and chat with many familiar Masters and their Consorts over a glass of Champagne during the reception before going in to the Concert.

Once seated we were introduced to the two performers – Crispian Steele-Perkins, a virtuoso trumpeter who restores, plays and records on antique instruments of the trumpet family and Leslie Pearson one of the country’s most distinguished piano players. The varied programme of classical and light music was interspersed with the history of and demonstrations on a range of horns and trumpets accompanied by the piano. A fascinating, amusing and thoroughly enjoyable performance.

The supper was held in the magnificent surroundings of both the Court Dining Room and the Large Court Room where 18 separate table were laid-up.  We were at a table hosted by Debbie Ounsted CBE of the Mercer’s Company and it was a pleasure to also be in the company of the Masters of the Firefighters and Glovers together with their Consorts. Excellent food and wines rounded off a highly enjoyable evening.

36. Red Cross Christmas Market, 27 November

Today Sandra and I visited the Red Cross Christmas Market at the Guildhall. This is an annual event which is well supported by a number of Livery Companies who run stalls or generally help with the organisation and administration. In all there are over 100 stalls selling Jewellery, Art, Fashion, Gifts, Books, Homeware, Garden Plants and Tools, Food and Drinks. There are also outdoor food and drinks stalls in the Guildhall Yard. Among other things, Sandra was taken by the very reasonably priced jewellery on the World Traders’ Stall and has added to her collection! The “street food” and Mulled Wine rounded off an interesting hour or so browsing the stalls. All in aid of a very good cause.