On Friday 7 July, the Mistress and I were delighted to be invited to Builders Merchants’ Summer reception at Apothecaries’ Hall. This was a rather special event mainly held in the courtyard with a tour of the Hall thrown in! Outstanding musical entertainment was supplied by several students of the Royal College of Music. The Master Builders’ Merchant, Richard Hill (centre), who was a guest at our Masters and Clerks luncheon in the same hall only a few weeks ago, made us very welcome.

Then on Monday 10 July, I was very pleased to be invited to the Freedom of the City ceremony for Freeman Kim Walker at Guildhall. The entrance to the North building was unexpectedly closed because of a falling roof tile (how appropriate), so the party of Tylers and Bricklayers entered via the West entrance and had a brief backstage tour!

In the anteroom, Kim signed his Freedom papers before we were led into the Courtroom by the new beadle, Theo. The Clerk to the Chamberlain’s Court, Laura Miller, greeted us and explained the ceremony. Kim read the oath without hesitation, repetition, or deviation and then signed the Register of Freemen.

After a tour of the courtroom and its many treasures, it was time for photographs with his framed Freedom certificate in hand! Kim was supported by his wife Fiona, seen above, as well as his son in law and Deputy Master Simon Martin.

After lunch with some friends at the Reform Club, I set off to meet the Mistress for the Vintry and Dowgate Ward Club summer reception. This annual event has been held for many years on the roof terrace of the Nomura building overlooking the Thames, with a backdrop of Tower Bridge and the Shard.

There was a strong contingent from the Company, including Ian Mitchell Grimshaw, Jeff and Catherine Fuller, Michel and Maureen Saminaden, David and Jan White, Diana Malzer and Brenda Upton Kemp. It was lovely to see so many old friends, and to make few more!