The Installation Service and dinner for the new Master and Wardens was held at St Michaels Cornhill and Carpenters Hall. Over 150 Liverymen and guests attended.  The toast to the guests was given by Court Assistant Alderman Sir David Wootton.   The guest Speaker was Lord Cameron of Dillington who focussed on the need for more […]

Creating a new Business dimension for the Livery and the Global Wool Industry. Dear Liveryman I am writing to you about a major initiative that our Company launched at our Installation Dinner on April 23rd following an 18 month Feasibility Study. It will provide a new and unique commercial opportunity for many of us in […]

On Wednesday morning I caught an early train back down from Bradford in time for lunch with the Water Conservators in Cutlers’ Hall. The Master, Ivor Richards OBE, was introduced by his Beadle in Welsh, and there was a strong Welsh influence on the menu – Pwllheli smoked mackerel, laverbread quiche tart, Welsh black beef, […]

Court Assistant Robert Allan laid on a splendid event at the British Wool Marketing Board premises in Bradford on Tuesday evening. We had a most interesting tour of the premises clutching a glass of wine which included the grading process and the auction room.  I spoke for a few minutes about the Livery and our […]

I enjoyed a very nice breakfast with the Guildable Manor of Southwark on Tuesday morning in Borough Market. Terry Waite was there as the president of YCARE International which promotes youth employment opportunities through the YMCA across the world. He spoke very movingly about some of his experiences in captivity and those of others, as […]

On Friday afternoon I drove down to Exeter for dinner with the Incorporation of Weavers, Fullers and Shearmen of Exeter in Tuckers Hall. This is an amazing building dating from 1471 with a wool and linen exhibition on the ground floor and a wooden barrel-vaulted dining room on the first floor with magnificent carvings. There […]

The Army Benevolent Fund (The Soldiers Charity) laid on a splendid reception and lunch at the Guildhall on Thursday 10th April. I was accompanied by Court Assistant Chris Thierry, and at the reception I was presented to HRH The Duke of Gloucester.  After the reception the Guildhall was full to bursting of people queuing for […]

Probably the high point of every Master’s year is the Lord Mayor’s Banquet at Mansion House, and this year was no exception. Janet and I were delighted and privileged to be invited to this splendid evening: the Egyptian room was full, and there was a glittering array of tiaras and jewellery and some of the […]

Then we proceeded to St Paul’s Cathedral (via a coffee or two) for the United Guilds Service, which as usual was a wonderful occasion. Rousing hymns, a stirring sermon from the Dean of St Paul’s about the difference between appearances and the substance of people, and a new anthem specially commissioned by the Founders’ Company […]

On Friday morning we presented a pair of sheep shears to the Chamberlain Chris Bilsland and he presented us with our new Ordinances for the Worshipful Company of Woolmen. He is due to retire as Chamberlain on 16th April, so we were delighted to make the presentation to him before then.  We were all in […]

On Thursday I drove back up to London again for the Lord Mayor’s Banquet in Mansion House with Janet – we are regular visitors there now! – and it was another splendid evening, with the Lord Mayor – again. The Egyptian room was full, and there was a glittering array of tiaras and jewellery – […]

On Tuesday morning I had a meeting with Woolmark about the sheep drive in October. There are lots of areas of common interest, and they are holding their launch of Wool Week near Tower Bridge on the same day, with a reception in Potters Field.  It was very interesting to hear their plans and see […]

On Monday 24th I drove into London for a meeting with an old Army friend – it is always good to catch up with people from those days and hear all the gossip. That evening, Janet and I were invited by Alderman Vincent Keaveny and his wife Amanda to the Solicitors” Banquet at the Mansion […]

On Thursday night I had a most enjoyable evening at a dinner with the Wheelwrights in Cutlers’ Hall. I had been invited as a guest of Past Master Richard Proctor (Past Master of both the Woolmen and the Wheelwrights) and their guest speaker was His Honour Gerald Clifton.   We were sat at a very convivial […]

Tuesday 25th was a full morning of meetings with the Finance Investment and General Purposes committee and the charity committee. We welcomed Ken Ayers to the meeting and we managed to get a lot of work done before the inevitable thinning out of people who had other things to do.  The sandwiches were as bad […]