Well, I can’t say I wasn’t warned!
Full on, flat out…. however you describe it, my first full month as Master has been exciting, stimulating and …. a wonderful rollercoaster ride.
Never to be forgotten experiences such as processing, along with all the other Masters, into St Paul’s Cathedral for Evensong courtesy of the Musicians’ Company, chairing my first Court Meeting, entertaining Guest Speaker Professor David Hughes and Master Mercer, Ms Alice Hohler to a Court Lunch are well and truly filed away for future recollection.
Tradition, indeed manners, dictate that letters of thanks are the order of the day and I was thrilled when the Master Mercer, Number 1 in the hierarchy of Livery Companies don’t forget, told me that our lunch “was a truly happy occasion” and that “Butchers set an excellent example of a fully engaged Livery Company with active Fellowship and Charity.”
A vibrant Livery Company and an active meat industry mean there’s never a dull moment! Breakfast, lunch and dinner …. all opportunities, so I’ve discovered, for entertaining and engaging with the industry.
This month I’ve done them all!
An early morning, full on breakfast at Butchers’ Hall, courtesy of the Smithfield Market Tenants Association entertaining the Lord Mayor was a very interesting experience.
Lunch with the London Retail Meat Industry Association gave an opportunity to reminisce with old friends, while a wonderful Wednesday Carvery, with 92 guests on two floors at Butchers’ Hall, followed a planning meeting with the WCB Sailing Club. Their enthusiasm and sheer exuberance rubs off and it was good to speak with Past Clerk Tony Morrow at lunch too following his joining the meeting.
No sooner had I finished my coffee at the Carvery than I was off to a Harvest Thanksgiving Service at St Martin’s in the Fields followed by dinner courtesy of The Farmers Club in Whitehall Place and another chance to catch up with old friends.
The versatility of Butchers’ Hall never ceases to amaze me! One minute we’re enjoying a respectable full Court Lunch, the next it’s the backdrop to a wonderful, and I mean wonderful, “Autumn Uncorked” Party. A great theme, engaging atmosphere lots and lots of fun followed by great feedback
Again, as if by magic, we’re hosting a Centenary Dinner for 600 (City of London) Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force. The dinner, which I was privileged to be a guest at, celebrated the centenary of the formation of the Squadron on 14 October 1925. The Special Guest was Commandant General of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force and Director Reserves Air-Vice Marshall Jo Lincoln who spoke glowingly of the relationship between the Squadron and ourselves.
Awards ceremonies always work well at Butchers Hall …. with, quite rightly, a feeling of tradition, gravitas, sense of occasion all accompanied by great food and service from our Venue Management partner Bovingdons.
The launch of UK Sausage Week earlier this week was no exception. The judging of the 10 different categories had taken place well in advance of Monday’s Awards ceremony at Butchers’ Hall. I’m thrilled to say that our Liverymen won 4 of the 10 categories with Fergus Howie of Wicks Manor, with their Wicks Manor Olde English Pork Sausage, awarded the overall UK Supreme Champion having already won the Traditional Pork Sausage category.
Liverymen and guests attending our November Court Lunch will have a chance to taste the Supreme Champion themselves during the reception. Perhaps we’ll get more feedback from those discerning consumers!
Watch this space……