Two trips to Glasgow, signing The Armed Forces Covenant at Court, processing through the streets of the City of London to Mansion House, returning the next day to dinner at the Mansion House, the United Guilds Service at St Paul’s Cathedral, an interesting and uplifting visit to Plumpton College, lunch at The Old Bailey with the Judges and dining with Furniture Makers and Coopers and Master Mariners …who said being Master of the Worshipful Company of Butchers wasn’t a challenge?
A challenge indeed …but what a once in a lifetime opportunity and thrill.
I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Assistant Mark Winston and I helped launch the WCB Charity donation with Aberlour Children’s Charity in a Youth Club in Glasgow. Supported on the day by a number of WCB Scottish Liverymen, who really have the bit between their teeth in adding practical value to our donation to make the most of every opportunity to support the Charity.
We enjoyed meeting the Chief Executive and staff members of 150-year-old Aberlour over an informal, and very tasty, Burger lunch cooked by some of the youth club members.
Back in London, I was entertained to dinner by the Furniture Makers and the Coopers in their very different Halls and at lunch to commence the centenary celebrations of the Master Mariners in Grocers’ Hall.
All great fun in their very different ways…and, as someone said, what’s there not to like!
Our Court Lunch to honour our Military affiliations was an opportunity for us to sign the Armed Forces Covenant, our formal declaration that we promise to acknowledge that those who serve, or have served in the Armed Forces, should be treated with fairness and respect. I was thrilled to sign alongside Air Vice Marshall Jo Lincoln MBE Commandant General Royal Auxiliary Air Force and Director Reserves then be entertained at lunch by Guest Speaker Mark Smith, a star of BBC’s Antiques Roadshow and leader of our WCB Battlefield Tour.
They say “good things come in threes” and what a week followed in the middle of the month!
The Boar’s Head Ceremony kindly supported by Liverymen Miles Rudham and Daniel Parker saw us being entertained, over a delicious sausage lunch, by the Epping Forest Pipe Band, Bagpipes and all, followed by a parade in front of a mass of photographers outside Butchers’ Hall before processing in full flow to Mansion House. The traffic was stopped, as was work in the offices en route as people photographed the unusual sight of the Boar’s Head being carried to Mansion House where the traditional payment, for a piece of land rented in 1343, of a prepared Boar’s Head was made to the Lady Mayor who accepted our gift of a Butcher’s Apron before carving. The Lady Mayor returned the favour …and in some style… the following night by hosting the traditional White Tie and Tails dinner for Livery Masters and Consorts and I must say the Mansion House, with all its grandeur, was a most appropriate venue.
An overnight change and recharge then on to St Paul’s to celebrate the 82nd annual Service of the United Guilds of the City of London. Initiated during the Second World War to raise morale in the City, it’s traditionally an uplifting service where Livery Companies play a key role.
Deputy Master, Margaret Boanas kindly deputised to entertain guests at the lunch while Virginia and I went directly from the church to City Airport for a flight to Glasgow. A quick change on arrival into Black Tie and a speech to toast the “Incorporation of Fleshers” gave me the chance to underline the opportunity and importance of the meat industry working together for the benefit of Aberlour at the Deacon’s choosing Dinner in Glasgow.
And to think the clocks then went forward…!