On 27 March, I attended the Master Certificate scheme and City and Guilds Livery Company awards at Mansion house. Several of the Livery Companies present some of their most prestigious awards at this event in the presence of the Lord Mayor. It was wonderful to see Master craftsmen and apprentices being recognised in many different trades.

On 28 March, the Clerk and I attended a Court and livery dinner at Painters’ Hall as guests of the Painter Stainers’ Company as the guest of the Master, Mr James Glover. The earliest reference to the property is dated 1375, which was acquired in 1504 for £30 by John Browne and conveyed to a number of his brother “Paynter-Stayners” in 1532.The Great Fire of London in 1666 destroyed most of the building and, after rebuilding, its successor was again destroyed by fire in 1941. It seems apt that the Arms of the Painter-Stainers depict a phoenix!

Then, on 30 March a group of 29 Tylers and Bricklayers attended Guildhall for the Big Curry Lunch, in the presence of the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester who I was privileged to meet at the opening reception. This massive annual event supports a number of military charities. Our group was organised again by Liveryman Diana Malzer, and had a marvellous time with champagne in the library and the crypt followed by curry in the Great hall, together with 1500 others spread over three sittings. 

After lunch, a wide range of specialist goods were available for sale at generous prices, all proceeds being donates to charity. The Company donated £1500 to ABF The Soldiers Charity in support of the Lifeworks Programme at King Edward VII Hospital. Members of our Company also donated three of the silent auction prizes, and the record turn-out would indicate a very successful fundraising event once again.