82. HAC: The Company of Pikemen and Musketeers

Armoury House in Moorgate has been the home of the Honourable Artillery Company for at least three hundred years. The Company was created by Henry VIII in 1537. The HAC’s Territorial Regiment currently provides a surveillance and target acquisition patrols for NATO’s Rapid Reaction Corps. The Company of Pikemen and Musketeers was formed in 1925 and received a Royal Warrant in 1955 to parade and to provide a ceremonial bodyguard for the Lord Mayor, most often seen at the start of the Lord Mayor’s Show. The Company relies on support from its members and commercial activities. The Company gets a lot of support from the City generally but needs more as, faced with fewer skilled craftsmen, it has decided to replace its uniforms, etc.


Certainly if you want your event to go with a bang, this is the place to start. Our Open Evening included a briefing on the history and present day operations, access to the uniforms and armoury, and a little carrying things about and trying on armour - whose style was prescribed in the reign of King Charles I. The musket weighs 17 lb. The armour another 20-30. Pikes used to be about 20ft long but, for practical reasons, are now about 12ft. Fortunately the ‘kit’ comes complete with a strong person inside knowledgeable about marching, firing and stabbing. If you want an unusual something for your function, contact the Company in City Road.

81. Martin Parr’s Unseen City, until 31 July

Martyn Parr has been taking informal photographs of people in the City over the last three years during his residency with the City of London Corporation. Some of these are on display in the Guildhall Art Gallery and well worth a look. The sharp-sighted of you will notice the Deputy Master’s Gown from the rear. Be wary of dropping off at City functions! The flyer says there is an admission fee of £5/ £4 concessions.

80. HMS Scott

In 1998, the Company affiliated to HMS SCOTT, the largest survey vessel in the Royal Navy. Her advanced sonar array sounding system enables her to efficiently chart large areas of ocean on one voyage. Commanding Officer and Hon Freeman Karen Dalton-Fyfe invited Water Conservators to take a short break with them overnight 17-18 March in, and out of Plymouth. The Conservators’ party, Mike and Sue and Mr and Mrs Master were looked after extremely well by Lt Jonathan (see right), Scott’s engineer.


The time was spent visiting the engine room and watching drills, including ‘fire’ and ‘man overboard’, during which the watch sailor had to put on a dry suit and jump overboard to rescue a lifelike dummy called Ruth. Every minute of our visit was planned, including a horse racing session in the wardroom. It was nice to see HMS Scott again and thanks to all the crew.

79. The Old Bailey 16 March

During the year, Masters and other dignitaries are invited to join the Sheriff and Judges at the Central Criminal Court (the Old Bailey). The Court belongs to the City and is run by the Sheriffs who, apart from the Monarch, hold the oldest Office in the country. The Sheriffs live at the Old Bailey. This year my host was Sheriff Charles Bowman (right) and, together with three other City folk, we joined Alderman John Garbutt and nine Judges for luncheon, and afterwards, an afternoon session in the Courts.

In my case, I was in Court 13 in the middle of a trial where medical evidence was being taken. Justice is open to public gaze and fairness, which makes British justice almost unique in the world – and something to be proud of. My thanks go to the Sheriff and Judges for their kindness and hospitality.

78. Livery Showcase Event

Many Livery Companies offer careers to young people and there has been a major debate to see whether this could be done more efficiently with more central planning and direction. For the time being this has been shelved. The Livery Showcase event held at Guildhall on 15 March sets out what is on offer from about 30 active Livery Companies. There is a wide range of careers on offer, from the Educators to the Upholders (Upholsterers) (see right).

During the day a thousand schoolchildren pass through the exhibition looking at what careers are on offer, talking to Liverymen and trying their hand at some of the skills training. Commended by the City, next year the venue needs to be larger, and more Livery Companies need to take part to take our trades to young people.

77. Modern Livery Companies’ Dinner

The definition of a Modern Company is one formed since 1926 when the Master Mariners (78 in the order of precedence) came along. The first of the new is well known, but the last of the old is problematic. Logic dictates it was company 77, the Carmen, but many of the old companies came along after the Carmen, up to the Fan Makers in 1709 (precedence 76). Anyway, Livery Companies 78-110 are termed Modern.

Modern Livery Companies meet twice a year and this year it was the turn of the Chartered Architects’ Company. We met at the Cutlers’ Hall on 14 March. The guest speaker was Michael Welbank MBE, Chief Commoner Elect, due to take up his post at the end of March. In an amusing description – mainly of what he was not - he explained that he acted as the foremost representative of Commoners in the City Court of Common Council with regard to their rights, their requirements for the efficient conduct of the City Corporation business, and their privileges. An interesting speech - and job. My thanks go to the Master Chartered Architect for a fine evening with colleagues burdened with contemporary issues.

76. Lunch with the Bowyers 11 March

Last year we received an invitation to dine with the Company of Bowyers (motto: Crecy, Poitiers, Agincourt) following the UGS at Guildhall. We had a very good time and, to our surprise, we were invited back this year by the Master, the Reverend John Hayton TD, and his colleagues. This time we outnumbered them - such was their reputation for hospitality and good company. Bowyers’ Masters serve for two years which make them unusual in City life. In reply to a welcome speech, talking about my ancestors – one Yorkshire family to another – I replied that their Master, as a Minister, was twice blessed, being personified in the attributes of Eros – well, without the wings!
John (right) stands 6 foot+++ and the picture was obtained through the sneaky artifice of a chair.

75. United Guild Service

In 1943, the Twelve Great Companies proposed a service at St Paul’s Cathedral to help lift the spirits of the City following the Blitz. Since then, it has become a regular event and one of the few which draw together all the City Livery Companies and Guilds. The 74th Annual Service of the United Guilds of the City of London was held on 11 March, attended by The Lord Mayor, Livery Companies, City authorities and guests, filling the nave of St Paul’s.


Lessons were read by the Canon in Residence and The Lord Mayor. The Sermon was delivered by the Bishop of London, Richard Chartres, KCVO, who referred to our little red book – Rules for the Conduct of Life, given to all City Freemen, as the basis for a simple plan for living a ‘better’ life. By tradition, the Water Conservators Company attends: this year more than 15 of us – seen right, collecting ourselves together for lunch.

74. Mansion House, 10 March

Each year, The Lord Mayor and The Lady Mayoress invite The Masters, Prime Wardens and Upper Bailiff of the Livery Companies of the City of London into their home at the Mansion House for Dinner. The purpose is to celebrate and cement the partnership with the Livery Companies and return some of the hospitality received during the year. The opportunity is taken to reflect and review the contribution made by the Livery to UK commerce and community. 

The Lord Mayor summarised the progress made under the banner: Innovate here, Succeed anywhere. He was then presented with some urban skis and challenged by the Master Mercer and Master Grocer to a race around the City. He accepted the invitation with good grace and we look forward to the outcome. The Menu incorporated a splendid picture of a three-decker from the Cent. XVII, believed to be the Prince Royal. A memorable evening.

73. The Honourable Company of Master Mariners – 9 March

Attending a Master Mariners’ event onboard HQS Wellington, the only floating Livery hall, is always something special. In addition to the delights of a Court Luncheon, there is the rise and fall of the tide and the swell from passing ships to frighten land locked Masters from Wiltshire! Master Captain Jim Conybeare (right) was the perfect host and Alderman Peter Estlin, in his address, challenged us all to open more doors for young people. Several awards were made; one to a prize-winner going about his normal business negotiating the new locks on the Panama Canal.

The event is well supported by the Livery and our thanks go to Jim, Clerk Angus and members of the Master Mariners Company. HQS Wellington is still at the same place but threatened with a 100 yard move to make way for the new Garden Bridge. But, can’t see them moving the pointy bit in the picture! It’s not the latest ECM kit, it’s the Shard.

72. Panto time at the Old Bailey, 8 March

The Even More Trial & Error Theatrical Review 2016 is a must see if it is run again in 2017. Describing with aid of drama and music, 400 years of Newgate Prison and the Old Bailey history, devised and performed by Queen’s Counsels and colleagues with musical direction from our own Andrew Parmley. The story was set out in 20 sketches/ extracts from proceedings, including Ben Jonson escaping the noose at Tyburn, Oscar Wilde sentenced to 2 years hard labour, and the prosecution of Penguin Books over the publication of Lady Chatterley’s Lover. Many Livery Companies assist with the production through sponsorship or administration.

The Review raises money for the Sheriffs’ & Recorder's Fund (founded 1808) which is dedicated to helping ex-prisoners and their families with small, practical, focused grants to help them on their way.

71. The Great Fire 1666

The City of London Guide Lecturers’ Association held an evening Busting the Myths: The Great Fire of London in St Lawrence Jewry on 7 March. Chairman Tony Tucker asked Sharon Ament, Director, Museum of London, to look at the evidence for the cause of the fire, its consequences and the aftermath. The Museum holds a number of fire related artefacts and the main literary source is Samuel Pepys’ Diary. The talk reviewed the pace of the fire and what happened to the large displaced population; the role of the Monarch and the Duke of York, and the impossible position of the then Lord Mayor, Sir Thomas Bludworth, when it came to authorising the destruction of property for firebreaks. There will be a lot more about the fire in the coming months.

70. Walbrook Ward Club AGM and Luncheon

The Walbrook Ward Club held its 207^th Annual Luncheon on 7 March. John White was elected Chairman for the year and the usual AGM stuff was dealt with efficiently before Luncheon was served. The principal guest was Sir David Brewer, CVO, CMG, JP, Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London from 2008 until 2015, and Lord Mayor of London 2005-6. The theme was playing your part in City life and the importance of investing in young people.

69. Hackney Carriage Drivers Spring Court Dinner

They’re a good lot and over the year we often meet the Taxi Drivers (their Company that is!). Each year we support their Magical Taxi Tour to Disneyland Paris. The Spring Court Dinner was held at Saddlers’ Hall on 3 March and the principal guest was Col. Geoffrey Godbold, Common Cryer and Serjeant at Arms – best known for amazing dexterity with the Mace and a having commanding voice    Oyez, Oyez, …. In proposing the Toast to the Company he shared his views about how his titles came about and something of his own background.

Good company and full of surprises:
Colin the Master (right, top) looked back over a year of celebrations – Magna Carta, Agincourt … and was impressed by Sam Marks’ ‘speech’ from Henry V at Westminster Abbey. So we had a live rendition by Keith Hill (right) which set the tone. We were then invited to join the Master and Wardens in a Loving Cup. Many thanks to the Master and Company for their kind invitation.

68. The TACITUS Lecture 25 February

The World Traders’ Tacitus Lecture was inaugurated in 1988 and is believed to be the best attended event of its type in the City. This year’s topic was A New International Monetary System in a New World Order. The presenter was Sir Paul Tucker, economist and banker, formerly the Deputy Governor of the Bank of England, with responsibility for financial stability. Following the breakdown of the Bretton Woods agreement in the 1970s, the US Dollar became the principal reserve currency, with the US as the World’s banker and therefore exerting considerable clout over a range of issues. To enable this to happen, the US had to run deficits so that the rest of the world could have access to dollars to finance trade.
With emerging economies, such as China producing massive trade surpluses, should this international burden be shared, and what are the choices. Sir Paul set out four scenarios for the medium term: all with significant consequences for nations and the international order. Two choices would allow a continuation of life as we know it, but one choice would lead to protectionism and retrenchment.