The first Court Lunch of 2026 set the tone for the rest of the year as we celebrated charity and education while enjoying a fabulous lunch of Steak & Kidney Pudding that was heralded as a "delight".
Joined by representatives from our affiliated charities and educational institutions, the guest speaker was Professor Nick Lemoine CBE MD PhD FMedSci, who was representing the Master’s chosen charity of the year, Barts Charity, supporting the Ovacatch Project for early ovarian cancer detection.
Nick is the National Director of Strategic Development and Interim Director of Life Sciences in the NIHR Research Delivery Network. He is also Professor of Molecular Oncology at Barts Cancer Institute and Director of R&I for Cancer at Barts Health NHS Trust in London.
Other guests of the Company were Mrs Debbie Johnson, Master of the Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers; Ms Rachel Deuchar from Aberlour Children's Charity; and Ms Fiona Lambeck of Shallowford Farm.
Charity is at the heart of the Livery movement and The Master took wine with Rachel and Fiona as he updated Liverymen on the WCB’s two new main beneficiaries. Aberlour Children's Charity and Shallowford Farm will be supported by our Livery over the next three-year cycle, taking over from valued partners, Teach First and Farms for City Children who we have enjoyed working with and supporting.
The Master also took wine with 2024 Nuffield Scholar, Jock Gibson. Scholars traditionally attend the January Court Lunch and you can read more about Jock’s research in his report on ‘Enhanced Meat Eating Quality from 100% Grass & Forage Systems’ on the Nuffield page of the website, alongside details of the scholarship and previous recipients.
A pioneering project
Liveryman, Tim Hewens proposed our guests before Professor Lemoine responded, highlighting the role of Barts Charity in funding cutting-edge medical research and innovation.
He said: "For 900 years the hospital has stood right next to the meat market. While you've been feeding the city, we've been patching it up, which brings me to the Barts Charity, which is the engine that keeps the hospitals of the City and eastern London running at the cutting edge."
It goes without saying that you "can't have world class healthcare without world class research," and Professor Lemoine explained more about the Ovacatch Project, which is designed to be a game-changer when it comes to the early detection of ovarian cancer which he described as a "silent killer".
"Projects like Ovacatch don't happen by accident," Professor Lemoine added, "they happen because charities like Barts step up, so I want to thank you. The Worshipful Company of Butchers has a long and noble history of charity and community in this square mile."
The Master, Gwyn Howells has taken an interest in this pioneering project which will be supported with Barts being his chosen charity during his year, supporting a neighbour doing remarkable things.
A stellar lunch and prize draws
Professor Lemoine also enjoyed his lunch of Steak & Kindley Pudding supplied by Owen Taylor & Sons, describing it as a “delight” that will "live long in the memory". He told guests: "I can’t remember the last time I cleared my plate, especially at lunchtime. What a delight, that will live long in the memory." Indeed, the main course was lauded by many in the room.
Following lunch, the 200 Club winners were drawn and congratulations go to Warden Tim Stone, Assistant PM Andrew Parker and Liveryman Shaun Thorp who scooped the prizes for January.
The monthly Champagne draw was won by Paul Nieduszynski, with the fizz kindly donated by Past Master, Tim Dumenil.
