32. 20th November 2019

It was an early start this morning to travel down to Westminster. After breakfasting with our guests at the Methodist Central Hall, we walked across to Westminster Abbey to celebrate The Festival of Saint Cecilia in Westminster Abbey. The Service is a celebration of music and is held in aid of the charity, Help Musicians. Livery Company Masters were directed to The Lady Chapel at the far East end of the Abbey to robe up, and at the appointed time, we processed down into the nave, and then back up into the North Transept for the Service. The Abbey echoed to the sounds of beautiful music and choral anthems over the next hour. Particular highlights were the Bach violin solo played by Jennifer Pike, and the Anthem “Blessed city, heavenly Salem.”

After the Service, it was a parting of the ways as Judy went on to the Guildhall for an afternoon Reception held by the Lady Mayoress, and I went to Mansion House for the Lord Mayor’s Annual Address to the Masters, Prime Wardens, Upper Bailiff and Clerks of the Livery Companies . This Address was followed by a restorative glass of champagne, and I then braved the distinctly chill November wind to walk from Mansion House up to the Honourable Artillery Company Headquarters on City Road to attend, with Judy, a Reception to launch the Lord Mayor’s Big Curry Lunch 2020.

As we travelled back on the No 43 to Upper Street, Islington later that evening we reflected on the day –interesting people met, beautiful music listened to, and historic buildings visited.

31. 14th November 2019

Today a group of Company members met at a restaurant on Bishopsgate for lunch before walking to 18, Folgate Street, just off Bishopsgate for a 3.00pm tour round this wonderful 18th century house, and home of the late Denis Severs.

It was Denis Severs who bought the property and restored it to a living "museum" of the Jervis family, the family of 18th century Huguenot weavers who lived there for many generations.

The house is absolutely fascinating - after a brief introduction, one walks round in silence, experiencing the candlelit tableaux in each room, and the sounds and smells that are revealed in each room - all conjuring up a remarkable re - creation of 18th century London life.  It is as if the Jervises are still living there, and have just left each room but a few minutes ago.

When the tour was over, we walked in the gathering November dusk into Spitalfields to find a warm cup of tea.  An excellent afternoon!

30. 10th November 2019

Up quite early on a chilly and sunny Remembrance Sunday morning. Judy and I took the bus down to St Paul’s.

At 9.00am on Remembrance Sunday, Café Paul was the only café in St Paul’s Churchyard that was open – indeed the only establishment of any kind that was open! It therefore attracted the gathering City Livery as wasps to a honey pot. It was outside the Café that I put on my robes, offering mutual assistance to the Master Farrier!

Around 9.15, Judy and I entered St Paul’s  to attend A Service of Remembrance with The Commemoration of the Fallen . We were seated in the South Transept, almost under the dome. As we waited for the congregation to gather, my eyes were once again drawn upwards to gaze in wonderment at the perfection of Wren’s dome at St Paul’s – how did he manage such a prodigious workload, not only in the City , but elsewhere as well?

The Service was dignified. For me the highlights included some beautiful anthems sung by the Choir of St Paul’s , and some majestic and sonorous organ music that at times seemed to shake the very foundations of St Paul’s as it reverberated around the dome.

The timing of the Service was impeccable. As the last bugle notes of a perfectly executed Last Post echoed round the Cathedral, the first chimes of 11.00 o’clock struck , and the massed congregation observed the 2 Minutes Silence ,  finally broken only by the optimistic bidding of the Reveille.

Following the conclusion of the Service, the Livery processed down Cheapside to take up position for the laying of wreaths at the War Memorial outside The Royal Exchange. Once all units were present , a lone piper played a wistful lament in the chilly November air, and, with the skirl of the bagpipes as a backdrop, we were all left to our private Remembrance Sunday thoughts as wreath after wreath  was solemnly laid at the base of the War Memorial – the most poignant being that laid by the Veterans.

The Livery was then bidden to cross the road and to take up position under the Mansion House Dais to witness the march past, and the “ eyes left” salute by each unit  to the Lord Mayor as it marched past the Mansion House.

When the last unit had marched off down Cheapside , Judy and I walked back to the Guildhall to enjoy a traditional Sunday Lunch  in the entertaining company of a number of other Masters ,  and Clerks and their respective Consorts.

29. 9th November 2019

“Are you sellin’ a house , or off to join a protest ?“ came the question as I walked in my suit towards the end of Cloudesley Road en route to Angel tube station on a crisp and sunny early November morning. The Water Conservators placard carried, preassembled, over my shoulder, had excited the interest of the man sweeping leaves in the municipal gardens at the end of the road. In response, I explained that I was off to participate in the Lord Mayor’s Show ; a conversation ensued on the Lord Mayor’s Show , the origins of the Livery movement , and who the Water Conservators are.

As I turned into Chapel Market , a route that I have walked to work regularly over the past 30 years, a number of familiar faces looked at me quizzically ; “ who are you goin’ to smack over the head with that then ? “ enquired one stallholder with a broad grin.

I, and my assembled placard, successfully negotiated the tube to Moorgate, and after a short walk, I spotted on London Wall the red bus which would be the support vehicle for The Modern Livery Companies as they walked along the processional route.

The early morning of the day of the Lord Mayor’s Show brings with it an air of expectancy and focussed preparation that is most stimulating. Over the next half hour or so my three Wardens , Rob Casey , Graham Howells and Martin Baggs all arrived , and, as we gowned up , others around us were perfecting their floats , marshalling vehicles, or trying to calm equine impatience . Parade Marshalls pored endlessly over clip boards, and the queues for coffee at various outlets grew longer as we all sought to stave off the penetrating November chill.

Eventually we were off and, being float number 30, we were quite close to the front of the procession – along Gresham Street and swinging round to the right , and the right again and we were passing Mansion House . A wave towards the Lord Mayor standing on the dais, and there was Aldermanic Sheriff Michael Mainelli acknowledging the Water Conservators’ contingent. Then along Cheapside we went, high fiving the crowd, especially the children, waving all the while, and having a brief chat here and there.

Throughout the morning, as we walked westwards towards Fleet Street and the Royal Courts of Justice, the forecast rain held off. Soon we were past the Law Courts and

turning left down to the Embankment where a welcome glass ( or two ) of prosecco and some sandwiches awaited us on HQS Wellington.

As we reassembled after lunch to continue the parade, the rain came, although, fortunately, it was not too heavy during the walk back to Mansion House. All along the route, as we walked back eastwards, happy smiling faces; cheering and clapping crowds, and many children waving Union Jack flags.

As we returned to our end point on London Wall and said our thanks and farewells to each other, I reflected on what a truly unique and uplifting occasion it had been. I then had the opportunity to watch the rest of the procession over a piping hot coffee.

I would not have missed it for all the world!

28. 8th November 2019

The Lord Mayor Elect is admitted on the “ Friday next preceding the second Saturday in November in every year “ according to the City of London ( Various Powers ) Act 1959.

And so it was that I found myself at the Guildhall at 2.00pm on Friday 8^th November, in the company of Deputy Master Simon Catford, to attend the Silent Ceremony.

A packed Great Hall attended upon the outgoing Lord Mayor, Peter Estlin, and the Lord Mayor Elect ,William Russell,  as the Lord Mayor Elect read the Declaration , and subscribed it. The other formalities then ensued, and following their completion, the outgoing Lord Mayor, and the incoming Lord Mayor processed out to return to Mansion House in the outgoing Lord Mayor’s car.

27. 5th November 2019

This evening saw the Company hold its Annual Banquet at Painters’ Hall.

Members of the Company and their guests all enjoyed a convivial and entertaining evening in the beautiful surroundings of Painters’ Hall.

After a splendid meal of cured salmon, Fillet Steak, and Pear and Blackberry Crumble Tart, it was a great pleasure to formally welcome our Guest Speaker, Alderman Sir David Wootton and his wife, Lady Liz

.

Listening to Sir David’s speech in response, the years rolled back to the time when we were contemporaries at Cambridge, and then enduring the six months ‘  hard labour at The College of Law at Guildford! Sir David’s speech conjured up a wonderful evocation of life as a trainee solicitor in the City in the early 1970’s , before turning to address some of the water related issues that society faces and our Company’s role in seeking to address some of these issues.

After thanking Sir David for his excellent speech, I turned to describe the events that the Company had undertaken since the Michaelmas Court Lunch in September, as well as looking forward to the events that the Company is organising through into the Spring of 2020.

The Stirrup Cup was very convivial, and a great opportunity to catch up with some old friends and meet some new ones!

26. 4th November 2019

The first week of November, and the start of a week building towards two major events in the City Livery calendar – The Lord Mayor’s Show, and Remembrance Sunday.

This morning, on a suitably damp and chilly November morning, Judy and I travelled into the City to St Pauls Cathedral to represent the Company at the poignant Opening of the Garden of Remembrance Ceremony organised by The Royal British Legion.

It was cold enough for the Band of The Welsh Guards to be in their grey winter coats- grey coats for a grey morning. It was cold enough for the damp chill to creep through the soles of ones shoes as we stood on the grass. The Service, attended by the Lord Mayor, the Sheriffs, and other dignitaries was wistful and moving. Following the Last Post, and the Two Minutes Silence, The Livery Movement planted its crosses, six Masters at a time in order of seniority, slowly and solemnly walking forward, and planting their crosses, and then filing off to the right.

A rousing rendition of the National Anthem brought the Service to a close, and we all dispersed into the busy bustle of the City of London, taking quietly with us our thoughts and reflections on this very special Service to Remember Together.

Later on as dusk gathered, I travelled down from Islington again into the City to attend A Service of Thanksgiving for the Lord Mayor’s Year in Office. This took place at St Stephen Walbrook.

This beautiful domed Wren church was full, with Masters of all the Livery Companies in attendance. The acoustics of this intimate round church are truly perfect, and the combined host of the Livery sang its heart out, accompanied by a small choir of superb accomplishment. It was a truly uplifting experience to be able to participate in such a Service!