Should she need one, the Mistress had the perfect excuse not to attend the Company’s Christmas
Lunch as she had been invited to dine with the Lady Mayoress. Her sense of
loyalty was severely tested but in the end, common sense prevailed – when else
would one be as privileged to receive such an invitation?! And so, dressed in
her best bib and tucker the Mistress made her way to the Mansion House to join
some 17 other Consorts to have lunch.
Welcomed in her private apartments the guests enjoyed a glass
of champagne in the sitting room. The Mayoress is the perfect host and made
everyone very welcome and the conversation flowed. There followed a brief tour
of the private ballroom (!) and some of the bedrooms. Lodging in the Mansion
House for one’s year of office as Lord and Lady Mayoress must be a very surreal
experience with all the grandeur it entails; ‘make the most of it’ must be the
mantra!
After a delicious two course lunch the party then descended
to the Plate Room in the basement to see at first hand the amazing gold and
silverware presented to generations of Lord Mayors over the years (see picture).
Quite something to behold and many of them priceless. Alas they are seldom on
public display due to their value and rarity but it was amazing to be given the
chance to see them.
And then it was over and the Lady Mayoress bade farewell and
wished all a very Merry Christmas. The Mistress then crossed to road to the
Guildhall to join the remains of the Water Conservator Lunch. What a day!
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