43. 28th January 2020

Winter is here with a vengeance! So I thought as I walked on a very cold, clear evening from Barnsbury Square down to Smithfield and to the newly renovated Butchers’ Hall. The wind was bitterly cold and I regretted the absence of my woollen hat – although it might not have looked too well with the Dinner Jacket that I was wearing!

And so to Butchers’ Hall for a Dinner hosted by the Port Health and Environmental Services Committee. It was an excellent evening and an opportunity to catch up with a number of Officers of the City Corporation, as well as to meet some new ones, over a delicious dinner. The Guest Speaker, Head of Commercial, UK Ports, DP World London Gateway gave a most interesting speech on the financial contribution of ports, particularly London Gateway, to the UK economy.

Plenty to think about as I walked back to Barnsbury Square!

42. 22nd January 2020

This evening I attended a brilliant Associate Freemen Pub Evening, kindly organised by Associate Freeman, Dorry Price.

Dorry had arranged it to take place in a really well appointed upstairs room at The King’s Stores, a historic pub down a wonderful old lane redolent of the eighteenth century, in Spitalfields.

The event started at 6.00 pm ,and by 7.00 pm there were about 27 of us there. We were treated to a most interesting presentation for about 10 minutes by Shneel Malik on “Designing For Behaviour Change“.

The event had a real buzz about it with a number of young professionals in the water and broader environment space, and a number of academics also working in those sectors all networking over a drink.

I was pleased to be able to announce that next Pub Evening will be in September.

41. 20th January 2020

At mid- day today, I went to the Barbican Centre to attend the City, University of London Graduation Ceremony.

This was preceded by a Lunch in the Garden Room of the Barbican Centre for those Masters attending the Ceremony.

Following the Lunch, we went downstairs to robe up, before processing in to the Barbican Hall together with the Lord Mayor .The Lord Mayor was first installed as Rector of the University, and then awarded an Honorary Degree. Following this, degrees were awarded to numerous graduates from the University.

40. 16th January 2020

Judy and I were invited to a Reception this evening at Innholders Hall, which is a Hall that I had not previously had the opportunity to visit. The Hall itself is a gem and includes a wonderful private dining room for around 16 diners with a stunning ceiling (see photograph ).

Apart from the architectural treats of the Hall itself, we were also lucky to receive some gastronomic treats from Herbert Berger, the Chef Director at Innholders. Mr Berger is a three times winner of a Michelin star and he provided the guests with the most delicious canapes and bowl food dishes to accompany our drinks.

39. 15th January 2020

An early awakening on a dark and rainy January morning!

The reason for my early start was to get to The Walbrook Club for a 7.30am Talk and Toast Breakfast, hosted by the Worshipful Company of International Bankers.

The joint Guest Speakers at the Breakfast Meeting were Sir Robert and Lady Elisabeth Stheeman.

Sir Robert is Chief Executive of the Debt Management Office of The Bank of England. The Office issues all debt for the UK. Lady Elisabeth, a former COO at Morgan Stanley, is now an External Member of the Bank of England’s Financial Policy Committee .

It was a fascinating discussion over breakfast.

38. 13th January 2020

It is a great feeling to start the New Year with a Company event!  Holding the Myddelton Lunch on the 13^th January. and preceding that with the Myddelton Service For The Re-Dedication of The Livery has a wonderful sense of renewal and fresh beginnings about it.

This January saw a change of venue for our Myddelton Service, as we moved from St Mary –at- Hill to All Hallows By The Tower. The Service was attended by a good number of Past Masters and their Consorts , as well as other members of the Company . It represented the “ the swansong “ for Bishop Rose Hudson – Wilkin , as she has sadly been obliged to relinquish her role as Hon Chaplain to the Company , given her obligations now as Bishop of Dover.

Upon the conclusion of the Service, led by our Beadle , we processed the short distance to Trinity House for the Myddelton Lunch .Following a meal that by popular acclaim was considered outstanding, we were entertained by an speech from the Principal Guest, Aldermanic Sheriff Michael Mainelli , who wove the Role of the Sheriff, Green Finance, and Brexit into an informative and amusing speech . After the Master’s speech in reply , the Master made a presentation of one of the Company’s water jugs to Bishop Rose to thank her for her five years of outstanding service to the Company as Honorary Chaplain.

All too soon, our Beadle bade us leave the Stirrup Cup as time was up!

A wonderful way to start a New Year!

37. 10th January 2020

There was a “ Beginning of Term “ feeling about the event .

We all gathered at St Michael’s Cornhill for the City New Year Service , including the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress , and the Governor of The Bank of England.

Many greetings were exchanged between familiar faces “ Hello , How was your Christmas ?” “ Did you manage to get away from it all over the New Year period?” ……… And there was a tingling sense of anticipation about the weeks and months ahead as we all step back into the rhythm of the City Year.

 St Michael’s was packed out, with extra chairs being brought in at the back of the church . The choir sang beautifully, and the congregation raised the roof with their renderings of “ I vow to thee my country “ and “O worship the King all glorious above”.

The Priest in Charge, the Reverend Charlie Skrine delivered a powerful and thought provoking  Address on the problem of short term horizons both in one’s personal life just as in the economy.

At the conclusion of the Service, we all walked to the magnificent Drapers’ Hall for a splendid buffet lunch where we caught up with news from old friends , and met some new ones.

The New Term has started!