On Thursday 23rd March, the Mistress and I were invited to a special dinner at Mansion house by the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress, Alderman Nicholas and Mrs Felicity Lyons. The Lord Mayor’s bodyguard was provided by the pikemen and musketeers of the Honourable Artillery Company. I was offered a musket – these are very heavy indeed!
It is a major event in the Livery Calendar, a dinner when all the Masters, Prime Wardens and Upper Bailiff of the 110 livery Companies, together with the Court of Aldermen and other City dignitaries, are entertained at Mansion House. A formal “white tie and medals” event, with music from the salon orchestra of the HAC band and the state trumpeters of the Household Cavalry.
There were over 350 guests in the Egyptian Hall, which made it feel almost full! After a delightful dinner and excellent wines, Lord Mayor spoke of the importance of the Livery Companies in the City, and his work in maintaining the city’s global pre-eminence in financial services. The Master Grocer and Master Mercer each responded, supporting the Lord Mayor and his charitable activities. The Lord Mayor then closed with a short but witty story about a nun travelling in a taxi. I will not spoil the joke, but look out for Kevin. After a leisurely stirrup cup, carriages were at 11pm.
Then on Friday 24th March, a fairly early start from home for the United Guilds Service at St Paul’s Cathedral. It’s another major event in the Livery Calendar, also attended by all the Masters, Prime Wardens and Upper Bailiff. I met with the Wardens, Chris Causer and Jenny Rolls at Carpenters’ Hall where we robed before processing, together with the Master Carpenter and his Clerk, to St Pauls. The Cathedral was packed and I was delighted that we had 30 members of the Company who attended the service (I think this may be a record!). It was great to see so many Tylers and Bricklayers at the service, including Deputy Master Simon Martin and Past Masters David Fuller, Tom Hoffman and David Cole Adams.
A long procession ensues before the service starts, headed by a verger and finishing with the Bishop of London, the Lord Mayor’s Chaplain, the Sargeant-at-Arms, the Swordbearer and finally the Lord Mayor. Wonderful music, rousing hymns, the Bidding by the Dean of St Paul’s, the Very Reverent Andrew Tremlett, a reading by the Lord Mayor, the Sermon by the Dean of Westminster, and the Blessing by the Bishop of London. It was an uplifting and inspirational service, closing with JS Bach’s Prelude and Fugue in D.
The majority stayed for a seated buffet lunch back at Carpenters’ Hall. After a brisk walk in typical London drizzle, we arrived back at Carpenters hall a little damp. The Master Carpenter, Brigadier John Meardon welcomed us warmly to lunch, together with the Plumbers and the Entrepreneurs. The Master Plumber, Air Cdre Paul Nash responded on behalf of the guests, linking senior politicians with television programmes in a most amusing speech. Conversation flowed and it was nearly 3.30pm before we moved out of the Livery hall to make our way home. A full report of the day will be posted shortly in the event reports section of the website, thanks to Liveryman Martin Reading.