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.