Following directly on from the Christmas Court and the
unveiling of the Blue Plaque (see Blog No 66) came the Christmas Court Lunch.
We all felt we had earned this after the exertions of the morning so it was
very pleasing to be able to relax and enjoy the surroundings of the Members
Dining Room and the hospitality of the Guildhall catering team!
After a glass of “Christmas Cheer” some 34 of us took our
places around the table, resplendent with Christmas decorations and crackers.
Grace was said by the Company Chaplain (see below) and the meal commenced.
However, just before the smoked salmon I had a very special
duty to perform, namely that of admitting the Reverend Rose Hudson-Wilkins as
Freeman of the Company. Rose has long been a good friend, is the Company’s
Chaplain and is also the Priest in Charge at St-Mary-at-Hill, the Companys
church. In addition, she is Chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons and
Chaplain to Her Majesty the Queen, amongst other duties. It was therefore a
great privilege to able to welcome her – and her husband Ken Wilkins – into the
Company and present to her with the blue tear drop and certificate. Lunch then
followed.
After the Loyal and Civic Toasts, I was pleased to formally
welcome our many guests and to toast them in water (as is our tradition). I
also took the opportunity to thank members for their hard work on behalf of the
Company during the year and to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas!
A lovely way to end the year and in such good company. The
only person missing was the Mistress who had another engagement – lunch with
the Lady Mayoress no less! But her event finished before ours so she was able
to join us in time for coffee and add her own thanks and best wishes to
everyone before they departed.
Pictures show the Master in full flow and the Chaplain
receiving her certificate.
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