On Friday 10th January I attended the New Year Service at St Michael’s, Cornhill, our City church.

The first lesson was read by the Governor of the Bank of England, Mark Carney, and the second lesson was read by the Lord Mayor.

There were representatives from the Drapers, the Merchant Taylors, the Musicians, the Turners, the Fan Makers, the Master Mariners, the Air Pilots and Air Navigators, Chartered Secretaries, Fuellers and Water Conservatots there, all of which are associated with the Church.  T

here were some rousing hymns, and an excellent sermon preached by the Bishop of Wakefield, the Right Reverend Stephen Platten, who is taking over as the next Rector of St Michael’s.  We ended up with the National Anthem – three verses including the controversial second verse which is so often omitted nowadays.

Afterwards there was a reception at Drapers Hall, which was very good, and it was nice to catch up with the other masters after the Christmas and New Year break.

Bill Clark – Master, Woolmen’s Company