1 November: The first event of the month was Joanna attending an afternoon Consorts’ event at Goldsmiths Hall – always a splendid venue. The Livery Pictures handbook and website which has photos of all City of London officials and photos of the Livery Company Masters and Consorts is an invaluable guide for all those involved in the City.
2 November: We had promised Felicity Lyons that we would attend the Grand finale auction Banquet for the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress at the Guildhall. It was a very splendid occasion with incredibly lively performances by many music students and a wonderful meal. Arts Scholar Neil Redcliffe and his wife Emma joined on our table. There was a live and silent auction, and I successfully bid for a private organ recital by Sir Andrew Parmley!
3rd November: I attended an Arts Scholars Fish and Chip lunch at the delightful City University Club in Crutched Friars. Sonya Zuckerman arranges these lunches wonderfully well and a dozen Arts Scholars enjoyed a very jolly meal with plenty of wine flowing on a Friday afternoon.
6th November: This was a triple event day. On Monday morning, all 111 Masters of Livery companies, badged and gowned, attended a Remembrance service in the churchyard of St Paul’s Cathedral. The Lord Mayor was the first to plant a cross of Remembrance followed by the Sheriffs, Aldermen and all Masters. A very moving occasion and so important to remember those who gave their lives for our country.
At 5.00 pm later that day, I attended a service of Thanksgiving for the Lord Mayor at St Stephen Walbrook. I struck up a good rapport with the Master Fanmaker, Peter Dove, and I was delighted to be joined by Arts Scholars Upper Warden, Roy Sully, in the pews.
At 6.30 pm that evening, I attended a reception at Drapers’ Hall to meet David Chalk, a prospective candidate for the City Shrieval elections in 2024. It was good to see Arts Scholar and newly elected President of the City Livery Club, Alan Cook, there with Deborah Black.
7th November: A Past Masters’ committee meeting at Furniture Makers’ Hall, chaired by Christopher Claxton Stevens.
8th November: Finance and General Purposes Committee at Furniture Makers’ Hall chaired by Mary Foster then a Membership Committee meeting at Guildhall chaired by Wynyard Wilkinson.
9th November: Charity Committee chaired by Victoria Wolcough
11th November: The Lord Mayors’ Show. I had signed up to walk with the Modern Livery Companies and was delighted that Mary Foster and Robert Wilde-Evans agreed to join me and shared in the carrying of the Arts Scholars’ Banner. We were very lucky with the weather (bright sunshine and no wind) and we gathered by a double decker bus on London Wall along with hundreds of other groups and floats.
There were around 15 Masters of modern Livery companies walking (for those with gammy legs etc you could ride on the bus!). I made a point of greeting and walking near the new Master of the Nurses, Liz Bardolph. This proved to be fortuitous as a camera crew soon appeared to interview Liz as the newest Master and I made sure the Arts Scholars banner was in sight of the camera! It was a terrific experience and the joy of the crowds as you passed was almost tangible. I thoroughly recommend all future Masters taking part in this as you get to know many new Masters en route and I believe it is important for us to take part in this centuries old City Tradition. It is also great fun!
12th November: As Vice Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire, I laid a wreath and attended a Remembrance service at Bracknell.
15th November: To lunch at Guildhall at Neil Redcliffe’s invitation. I sat next to Paul Knapman, former City coroner, and as soon as I mentioned Arts Scholars, he said he knew Geoffrey Bond very well – Past Master of the Arts Scholars.
In the evening, Joanna and I attended the Trustees Dinner at the British Museum. It was so exciting to dine in the Parthenon gallery.
20th November: To the Mansion House for the Broad Street Ward lunch. Joanna and I were invited, as the Arts Scholars’ registered address is Furniture Makers' Hall, which is in the Broad Street Ward. This was very exciting for the Ward club: as its Aldermen is Michael Mainelli, the new Lord Mayor, this enabled the annual lunch to be held in the splendour of the Mansion House. Whilst a formal occasion, it was wonderfully informal in many respects, with few of the usual City attendees and many guests who supported the Ward who had never been to the Mansion House. Very enjoyable.
21st November: In the morning I was invite to a private view of Poussin paintings being restored at the National Gallery. I am fascinated by the artist Nicolas Poussin (1594-1665). He was a leading painter of the classical French Baroque style but spent most of his working life in Rome and incorporated many symbols and mythological references from ancient Rome in his fabulous paintings.
In the evening I presided over the Arts Scholars Admissions ceremony at Guildhall. These are wonderful occasions and it was marvellous to see the pride with which freemen became Liverymen of the company. It was also, as usual, very impressive to hear of the wonderful careers and interests of new Freemen. It was a great pleasure afterwards to talk to everyone at the celebratory champagne reception.
22nd November: I started the day as Vice Lord Lieutenant in Berkshire presiding over Citizenship Ceremonies in Reading. I then jumped on the Elizabeth Line to attend a St John Ambulance event at St John’s Gate where the Princess Royal was greeting award winning St John cadets from all over the country. Joanna and I marvelled at how the Princess spoke to every one of the 250 cadets in the room giving time to each and every cadet.
In the evening, Joanna and I attended a charity dinner at Drapers’ Hall as the guests of Michael and Sonya Zuckerman. A very splendid occasion.
23rd November: Joanna and I attended a concert and dinner at the LSO. We greatly enjoyed the concert which included Janáček, Bartók and Debussy and the dinner afterwards hosted by Dame Kathryn McDowell.
24th November: I hosted a lunch for the Clerk and Wardens where we had a good discussion about several policy maters.
29th November: Arts Scholar Sam Moorhead and I gave a presentation on our recently published book, Rebel Emperors of Britannia to the Maidenhead Archaeological and Historical Society. The book is now available on Amazon!
3rd December: To the Tower of London for the Advent Service at St Peter ad Vincula. This is glorious service and it is such a privilege to be able to attend. Joanna gave one of the readings and the quality of the music combined with the historic setting makes it very memorable. Our Chaplain, Rev Roger Hall, made us all very welcome.
5th December: Visit to the London Mithraeum followed by drinks at Browns for new members. This proved a very successful evening and was much enjoyed by all those who attended. The Mithraeum sound and light show in the Temple of Mithras is astonishing and wonderfully evocative.
6th December: I hosted a dinner for WCAS chairs of committees at the Walbrook Club – another very convivial occasion.
7th December: Presiding over the Winter Court meeting at Guildhall. Thanks to the excellent arrangements by the Clerk, the Court enjoyed a festive glass of wine and mince pies after the meeting.
13th December: to St James Garlickhythe with Joanna for a carol service held jointly with the Clockmakers and the Nurses. On my arrival, the new Clerk of the Clockmakers, Simon Gray, recognised me as we had worked together at IMRO many years ago! The music and service were wonderful and all three Masters read lessons. There was an excellent wine and sandwich reception afterwards enjoyed by all three companies. It was an excellent note on which to end 2023 – halfway through my whirlwind year as Master of the Worshipful Company of Arts Scholars.
Wishing all blog readers a very Happy Christmas. Joanna I much look forward to seeing you in the New Year!
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