It is a tradition at this time of year for the Lord Mayor of
the day to host all Livery Masters, Prime Wardens and Upper Bailiffs and their
Consorts at a dinner at the Mansion House. This splendid affair is certainly a
glittering occasion and so the Mistress and I were delighted to be able to
attend.
This was a formal ‘white tie’ event and the assembled guests
quickly swamped the cloakroom staff. But the Mansion House is used to these
numbers (c.350) and before long we were shown upstairs to the Salon for the
receiving line. The Lord Mayor, accompanied by the Lady Mayoress and both
Sheriffs and their Consorts made us all feel very welcome and ushered us into
the Drawing Room for a reception drink. The room was soon full to bursting and
the volume went up and up. But it was good to see so many familiar faces and
all looking so elegant!
After grace dinner was expertly served by the in-house
catering team, no mean feat given the numbers. And it was a delicious meal and
much enjoyed. During dinner we were entertained by the Salon Orchestra of the Honourable
Artillery Company who also provided the guard to the Lord Mayor on his procession.
The Loyal and Civic toasts were drunk and then it was time for the speeches.
The first was from the Master Mercer who spoke of the
digital revolution and the impact it has on modern life – not all of it good.
She suggested that some ‘digital-free’ time was essential for mental health and
wellbeing. Picking up on the digital theme was the second speaker, the Master
Grocer who described the very real challenges involved in the eradication of
‘digital poverty’, a current focus of the Lord Mayor.
The it was time for the Lord Mayor, Alderman Peter Estlin to
speak. Despite having just returned from China he gave a stirring speech and
thanked all the Livery Companies for their continued support of the City of
London and all its activities. He paid tribute to the charitable giving by the
Companies but warned that we must not be complacent. There is still so much to
do to build Tomorrows City Today, his key Mayoral theme. But he was upbeat and confident
of the future and he was given a fantastic response from the audience.
After the recessional a Stirrup Cup was offered and guests
slowly drifted away after what had been a marvellous evening. Our thanks must
go to all at the Mansion House for making such an event possible and with such
apparent ease. Thanks also to the Corporation for the continued support of the
Livery movement. But the biggest thanks must go to the Lord and Lady Mayoress
for their leadership, vision and commitment to the great City of London. They
are having a very good year!
Pictures show the rather elegant invitation and the cover of
the menu card, designed by Zachariah Gillespie (aged 15), an autistic pupil of
the Woodside School in Colyers Lane and winner of the Lady Mayoress’s art competition
run by the National Autistic Society.
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