65. Lord Mayors Show – Preparing the Float

Following many months of design, construction and endless detailed organization, the final building of our float for the Lord Mayors Show was undertaken on Thursday 10th and Friday 11th November.

The low loader and two drivers were kindly provided by Kevin Clancy of ClancyDocwra, and our first task was to cut and fix artificial grass to the bed of the trailer unit (see photograph). With arrival of the tank and tap (beautifully built by Dylan Barker and his team at Precolor) they were loaded by a fork lift truck onto the trailer (see photograph featuring David Richards and Dylan Barker) and the tank filled with 500 gallons of water. After connecting the pump (kindly donated by Stuart Herritty) and fixing the Clancy Docwra diesel generator, we were ready for a successful trial run.

After fixing of the siderails, storage boxes/seating and signage we were nearly ready to go (see photograph). Once the sound system, kindly loaned by Andy Williamson had been fitted, the vehicle headed off for Central London (see photograph of tractor unit) and the excitement of the Lord Mayors Show on the following day.

Many thanks to all our sponsors (not forgetting Thames Tideway, Roger Hewitt, Barry Dennis, Ivor Richards, Ken Marsh and Peter Hall) for making this all possible. Special thanks to those who physically helped put the whole thing together under the ever watchful eye of our Clerk, Ralph Riley.

64. The Horners Ralph Anderson Lecture

Earlier this week I was invited to attend the Horners 19th Ralph Anderson Lecture, along with several other livery company Masters.

As many of you know, the Horners Company now focuses on the plastics industry and it seemed appropriate that the lecture (funded by a generous donation from a past member, Rodney Anderson) was given by Professor Marc-Olivier Coppens from University College London (see photograph).

Professor Coppens specializes in using forms, structures  and materials from the natural world for the benefit of science. His fascinating lecture was entitled “Nature-Inspired Chemical Engineering: A NICE approach to innovation and sustainability”. The lecture was given at the prestigious Royal Society of Medicine in Wimpole Street (see photograph) with accompanying fine refreshments!

Many thanks to the Master Horner for inviting me.

63. Meetings at the Guildhall

We held our Finance, Management & General Purposes (FM & GP) Committee meeting at the Guildhall earlier this week.

On the way into reception, there is a large covered glass sided building containing the Lord Mayor’s resplendent coach (see photograph) which will be used in the Lord Mayors Show on Saturday 12th November. In reception, I met the Lord Mayor Elect (Alderman Andrew Parmley) who explained that he had been up very early that morning for a trial run in the coach to check timings, route and other key logistics.

Good to know that they are practicing – we are as well, to ensure that our magic tap float performs effortlessly in the Show!

I hope to see many of you in the crowd supporting our efforts.

62. Garden of Remembrance – St Paul’s Cathedral

As we approach Remembrance Sunday, a number of events are arranged in and around the City in memory of the fallen servicemen and women who gave their lives for our freedom.

I attended one such event on Monday where the Royal British Legion opened a Garden of Remembrance in the North Churchyard of St Paul’s Cathedral. This was a very moving service in the presence of the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress as well as the Sheriffs, where all 110 livery companies were represented.

Following the Lord Mayor, every Company laid a cross in the garden. Photographs show the service sheet & cross and the garden during the placing of the crosses.

It was an honour to represent our Company at this event.

61. Annual Banquet

Our Annual Banquet this year was held at the prestigious Fishmongers’ Hall on Thursday 3rd November. With 100 Members and their guests present, it was a thoroughly enjoyable evening orchestrated with great skill by our Clerk (Ralph Riley), Beadle (Tony Parker) and Bargemaster (Johnny Dwan). See photograph of Fiona and I before the event got underway.

The Hall was beautifully prepared by Antonella Santos (Events Manager) - see photograph of the Hall before guests arrived - we were all greeted by a welcoming party of Doggetts (see Doggetts race website for further details) organized by our Bargemaster, Johnny Dwan. (Photograph shows our Beadle on the left, Bargemaster in the centre and Clerk on the right, all flanked by two Doggetts – and very fine they look too!).

Following a traditional “line up” of the Master and three Wardens (and their Consorts) to welcome guests, we participated in social chit chat before being called for dinner. The excellent meal was prepared by Head Chef Stephen Pini and his team and was followed by the Loving Cup Ceremony. (See photograph of me, our principal guest Mark Hunter and his wife Jenny during dinner).

Throughout dinner we were treated to some excellent music from a pianist and this was followed by a musical interlude with selected songs from Flanders & Swan. The two opera singers and pianist were all from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and they did a great job.

I gave a welcome speech to our guests, who included the Clerk to the Chamberlains Court, representatives from three of our Corporate Members, our cutter rowing crew from Poplar Rowing Club and Olympic Gold Medallist rower Mark Hunter. Mark responded with a personal story of his tenacity to “win gold” and this was followed by a further speech from me, giving some anecdotes relating to my role of Master over the last few months!

Following a stirrup cup, the last of us left just after 11.00pm. A very enjoyable evening and many thanks to everyone who helped organize it.

60. “At Home” at the Mansion House

In the last week of their office, the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress organized an “At Home” in the late afternoon at the Mansion House. Livery Company Master’s and their Consorts as well as staff from the Mansion House were invited to this very friendly event.

The purpose, over a glass of champagne and a piece of cake, is to say thank you to everyone who has helped the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress during their year and a number of awards are made to key staff such as chauffeurs, housekeepers, diary managers and chefs. A lovely way to end a very busy and successful year.

Photographs show the interior of the beautiful Egyptian Room and Fiona and I at the entrance to that room.

59. United Wards’ Club of the City of London

Fiona and I were invited as guests at the United Wards’ Club Founders’ Day Dinner earlier this week (see photograph of invitations).

The Club was founded in a London pub in 1877 by Major J Wieland (and 19 other friends and colleagues) and each year the membership (and their guests) meet to celebrate this event.

The dinner was held at the Farmers & Fletchers Hall (see photograph of Fiona and I in the Livery Hall) with 120 sitting down to an excellent four course meal. The President, Barry Scrutton, welcomed the guests – Masters from five Modern Livery Companies were present with their Consorts.

Many thanks to the President for hosting us at this event.