86. Firefighters’ Reception 20 June

I was delighted to be invited to the Firefighters’ Annual Reception at the City Livery Club. It is a splendid opportunity to meet with the Master, Wardens and Clerk of the Company as well as several other Masters and Clerks from other Companies. I have known the current Master Firefighter, John Mansfield, for virtually all of my term of office as his year and mine almost coincide and we have met at many functions. The reception was a very convivial event with excellent company and, of course, plentiful food and delightful wine.    

85. Lord Mayor’s Tax Debates, 19 June

As part of the tax profession's contribution to the Lord Mayor's Business of Trust agenda, the Worshipful Company of Tax Advisers and the Chartered Institute of Taxation co-hosted an event at the Mansion House with a very full audience of some 300 from the Livery and the City. The Lord Mayor introduced the programme and the first debate was a UK perspective on whether the public trust in the UK tax system has been impaired by unprecedented levels of tax avoidance. The second debate was an international perspective on the tremendous efforts that Governments and international institutions have put into changing the tax “landscape” in which multinational enterprises operate.

Both debates were extremely interesting. There was a general theme that there was a need to engage with corporations and the public more. On tax avoidance more legislation in the Corporate area was thought to be required and Corporation tax needed to be more robust. It was also considered that Tax Advisors should not be pushing schemes which were against the public benefit. It was considered that some sectors still think tax avoidance is something to be achieved!  Principles of taxation therefore need to be embedded in their culture. 

The debate continued after over drinks and canapés! 

84. Master’s Weekend 15/17 June

A small group of seven met at the De Vere Hotel in East Horsley on the Friday night and had a splendid convivial dinner at the local Duke of Wellington Public House. The following morning, joined by two more guests, we met at Polesden Lacey where we toured the most interesting house which included a very interesting talk by one of the guides about it’s history. 

It was a beautiful sunny day and the ensuing walk around the gardens where there were magnificent floral displays was extremely pleasant. It was our intention to move on elsewhere, but following a light lunch we decided to explore further and watch a couple of the “Pop-up Shakespeare” performances. Not unnaturally Sandra and I volunteered to take part which allowed us to slightly “overact”. Following that we returned to the hotel to prepare for the evening event.

For that we were joined by a further 4 couples and were transported to Denbies Vineyard in Dorking. There we were treated to an interesting film about the development and workings of the vineyard. This was followed by a tour of the vineyard by “train” ending up at the highest point with magnificent views. The weather was very kind to us and here we were treated to sparkling wine and canapés. Returning to the main building we then had a delicious dinner in the Gallery Dining Room overlooking the vineyard with extremely pleasant local and foreign wines. We were then transported back to the Hotel. A splendid and very convivial occasion.

83. Admiral of the Port Challenge

Sandra and I clambered into the Company Cutter, “The Water Forget-me-not” which was beached on the shaol just below The National Theatre. For the first time for several years our Bargemaster Johnny Dwan was unable to assemble the  highly successful team of ladies who have won on so many occasions and had assembled a splendid team of men which included his son Merlin. There were two heats for the men’s crews and we were in the first. Starting opposite HQS Wellington our team pulled away and immediately went into the lead which they maintained all the way to the Westminster Boating Base, winning by a massive margin. The second heat had a slight advantage as the tide had turned and the wind gave them a boost. As a result our team were defeated by a margin of ten seconds into third place! Never-the-less a splendid effort and a well deserved reception with drinks and canapés afterwards.

82. Ironbridge Gorge Livery Weekend. 8/9th June

Started by the late Sir Peter Gadsden who was Lord Mayor in 1979/80, this was the 35th such event. It was attended by Masters and Consorts of 102 Livery Companies. The weekend was organised by the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust.

After a rather frustrating journey with several diversions because of traffic accidents, we arrived at the Holiday Inn in Telford where all participants were accommodated. Early that evening the bar was filled with many familiar faces before we moved on to the first organised function which was a black tie dinner at Coalbrookdale, the home of cast iron. Excellent company, food and wine and a jolly group each way on the coach made this a splendid evening.

On the Saturday we were split into four groups and taken to various museums, coming together for lunch and then continuing the tour. Ironbridge was at the heart of the Industrial Revolution and the tour included the old furnace where pig iron was smelted, museums of caste iron, sagger makers, Coalport china, tiles and a replica Victorian Village with shops all beautifully displayed and very interesting. 

Unfortunately the Ironbridge itself was clad in plastic and undergoing renovation. There was however a model!

In the evening we were treated to The President’s Summer Ball. An evening where at the end of the meal there was an opportunity to dance and let your hair down – which many of us did!

This was a superb weekend among many friends and acquaintances from the Livery. 

81. Buckingham Palace Garden Party, 5 June

A delightful afternoon spent in the gardens of Buckingham Palace along with several thousand other people. What started as a very overcast and chilly day changed to a bright, sunny and warm afternoon at about the time Sandra and I joined the long queue to enter the Palace grounds.

The event was attended by His Royal Highness Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall. From the Livery the two Sheriffs and their Consorts were also in attendance as were several other Masters and Clerks, most of whom we knew. It was also an occasion where one could chat with a wide range of other guests. We were treated to a delicious tea with a superb choice of savouries and cakes! The large number of people made it almost impossible to meet the Royal couple, although we did manage to get a glimpse of them.

It was nice to stroll around the gardens and lake and listen to the two Military Bands that played alternately throughout the afternoon. A splendid occasion and a pleasure to have been invited.

80. Beating Retreat, Horseguards Parade, 30 & 31 May.

Taking advantage of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity offer to Livery Companies of VIP priority seating, 38 Members, Consorts, family and friends came to view this event which is performed on two days every two years.  The largest group of 33 attended on 31 May. Having endured long queues to pass through tight security our group were seated in a block on a stand just off centre with an excellent view of the proceedings. 

Beating Retreat had its origins in early warfare when the drum was used for all signals on the battlefield. It was a signal for troops to disengage from combat at the end of the day as darkness fell. We were treated to a full hour and a half programme of music and spectacle which included the ceremony of Beating Retreat.

First, 30 members of the Corps of Drums marched onto the parade playing drum solos. Following Bugle calls the Massed Bands then marched on in quick time. They heralded the arrival of His Royal Highness The Duke of Cambridge, who was taking the salute on behalf of his brother Prince Harry (who was on his honeymoon). 

There followed a ceremonial precision marching display, the actual Ceremony of Beating Retreat, further marching displays and the finale of “Rule Britannia” and the National Anthem. This was a fantastic evening of precision marching. The Massed Bands utilised the whole display area, splitting into 2 and 4 groups, counter marching, wheeling and reforming continuously. Not a single one out of step at any time! A perfect evening weather wise and thoroughly recommended if tickets can be obtained again in 2020.