52. 25th February 2020

Shrove Tuesday greeted us with a biting wind as Judy and I travelled to the Guildhall Courtyard for the annual Inter- Livery Pancake Race.

The Waters Conservators’ team , running under the nom de plume of “ The Water Ones “ comprised Thames Warden Rob Casey, Liveryman Andrew Williams in the Novelty Dress category , Judy in the Master’s Consort category, and myself in the Masters category.

Well – the team did the Company proud ! Andrew Williams achieved a thoroughly deserved third place in the Novelty Dress Competition with his brilliant Wind Turbine Fancy Dress outfit! And I somehow managed to scrape into the Finals of the Masters’ Race.

The team was ably managed by Deputy Master Simon Catford, and was well supported by Wendy Catford, and Mike and Sandra Williamson.

A huge thank you to everyone who so kindly contributed to a thoroughly enjoyable morning either by racing or by supporting the team!

51. 18th February 2020

This evening Judy and I had the pleasure of going to a Banquet at Mansion House as guests of The Worshipful Company of Chartered Architects on the occasion of that Company being granted its Royal Charter.

It was a splendid affair where the Principal Guest was HRH The Duke of Gloucester. The Principal Civic Guest were The Lord Mayor accompanied by The Lady Mayoress, and the two Sheriffs and their respective wives.

The Egyptian Hall was at its glittering best. The Banquet was accompanied by some lovely music from the Gallery and rounded off by some excellent speeches.

We look forward to the Chartered Architects being installed in their new accommodation at Temple Bar!

50. 13th February 2020

This evening I hosted my Master’s Dinner at The Travellers Club on Pall Mall.

My warm thanks are extended to David Lloyd Owen, a member of The Travellers Club, for making it possible for me to host my Dinner at the Club.

The Travellers Club dates back to the return to peace after the Napoleonic Wars, and moved to its present premises in 1832 – designed by Charles Barry, who later designed The Reform Club next door , and also The Houses of Parliament.

Interestingly, the Club was founded in 1819 “for gentlemen who had travelled out of the British Isles to a distance of at least five hundred miles from London in a direct line.”

The Inner Drawing Room of the Club was an excellent venue for the 27 guests who attended the Dinner. A most convivial evening!

49. 12th February 2020

This evening, Judy and I were graciously entertained as Guests by the Master of The Worshipful Company of Constructors at their Livery and Awards Dinner, held at Drapers’ Hall.

It was a splendid affair in every respect. I was also greatly amused by the reference to my marmalade making in the brief cv narrated by the Proposer of the Toast to The Guests!

Interesting dining companions, excellent food and well chosen wines all set against the backdrop of a majestic Drapers’Hall  made for a truly memorable evening! 

48. 10th February 2020

This evening, Judy and I enjoyed joined a small group of Livery Company Masters and Consorts for a fascinating tour of Apothecaries Hall conducted by the Clerk.

We learned of the rivalries between the Grocers and the Apothecaries which led eventually to the split between the two groups in 1617, and why the Apothecaries are a Society rather than a Company . We learned also of Gideon de Laune, who was largely responsible for the obtaining by the Apothecaries of their separate Charter in 1617 from James I , and whose De Laune pills were still sold to the public until about 1920! When De Laune died, his estate was estimated to be worth about £90,000 – so the pills were clearly a best seller!

As we visited The Great Hall, The Court Room, and the Cellars we were privileged to enjoy a most interesting  and lively commentary on the history of the Apothecaries and their activities today.

47. 7th February 2020

This morning I attended, together with Thames Warden Rob Casey, the Mansion House for the Clean City Awards Ceremony and Luncheon. The Ceremony was presided over by The Lady Mayoress.

As part of the Company’s environmental initiative, The Company sponsors one of the prizes for this Awards Ceremony, namely the “ Plastic Free City Award “. This year the Award Winner was The Bank of England. The Ceremony took place in the Egyptian Hall .The numerous and varied Award presentations and their accompanying citations comprised in the Ceremony testifies to the variety, breadth and depth of the environmental initiatives being undertaken by the City Corporation.

The Ceremony itself was followed by an excellent Lunch with all the Award winners and runners up.

46. 4th February 2020

To St Paul’s for Evensong to celebrate the 350^th Anniversary of the grant to The Worshipful Company of Wheelwrights of its Royal Charter in 1670.

We Livery Company Masters all gowned up in St Dunstan’s Chapel – the usual burst of focused activity interspersed with greetings to by now old friends, and snatches of conversation ! Our procession in took us to seats directly under the Dome. There, I could listen to the soaring harmonies and descants of the Choir rise upwards into the architectural perfection of Wren’s Dome.

After the Service, there was a champagne Reception in the Chapter House – the first time that I had visited that building.

45. 3rd February 2020

This evening to Drapers’ Hall for a superb Lecture by Oxford historian Sir Diarmaid MacCulloch on his seminal biography of Thomas Cromwell.  It was very fitting that the Lecture was held in Drapers’ Hall as the Hall is on the site of Thomas Cromwell’s London palace – indeed the Drapers purchased the site and the palace after the execution of Cromwell in July 1540.  The Lecture was absolutely fascinating – beautifully delivered and entirely without notes . It caste the Cromwell in an entirely different light for me  - his obscure beginnings in Putney; his travels overseas as a young man and the close ties he developed in Italy; and the suddenness of his rise to prominence at the age of 40  when many men of that age were approaching their waning years or indeed dying.  The breadth of his administrative achievement was as staggering, as his character was complex.

A memorable evening!

44. 31st January 2020

At lunchtime today , a small group of members of the Company gathered at Davy’s Wine Bar on Holborn for a delightful and convivial lunch in the Bordeaux Room, before walking to the Sir John Soane Museum in Lincoln’s Inn Fields.

There we were treated to a fascinating introduction to the life and work of Sir John Soane, and what a life it was! Born to a bricklayer, at the age of 14 he became a hod carrier, as his father had died and he had to help support the family . After work he would sketch in the evening at home some of the architectural features of the buildings that he had been working on. His elder brother, also a bricklayer, recognised his talent, and managed to show the drawings to various notables, and  before long his architectural career was launched, which would take him to be  closely associated with the good and the great of his day . His marriage was a real love match too, marrying a girl also of very humble origins . He wanted both his sons to be architects, The younger one, John , did so , but the elder one, George refused to do so. The family strife that ensued led to tragedy …..

There is material for a blockbuster film here!

The Museum itself is full of interest, reflecting an enthusiasm for collecting on the part of Sir John that borders on the obsessive. The Picture Room is a great attraction with its Turner and Hogarth’s Rake’s Progress.

After our visit, we adjourned to a nearby café for tea, and departed into the evening to journey home.