Following the earlier reception, the Clerk and I then dashed over to Pewterers Hall for the Worshipful Company of Pewterers Livery Dinner hosted by their

Master Richard Boggis-Rolfe. This was a tremendous evening bursting at the seams with guests who were determined to enjoy themselves.

The Pewterers have links with the Royal Scots Guards and there were many other guests in uniform including Lieutenant General James Bucknall (an old friend)

who gave a fascinating insight into his experiences in Afghanistan - from where he has just returned before Christmas.

This was a fantastic evening and a culinary extravaganza. The entertainment was provided by the effervescent Malcolm Milton who has us all in stitches. The Pewterers certainly know how to give a good party.

Last night the Clerk and I were bidden to the Mansion House to a reception by kind permission of the Lord Mayor to witness the book launch of ‘On Retreat’ written by our Livery's celebrated chaplain - Andrew Walker. We are so very lucky and proud of Andrew Walker being the Chaplain to the Lord Mayor the Rt Hon Alderman David Wootton. This was a jolly party headed by many of Andrews’s parishioners. It was very warm and uplifting gathering with speeches given by both the Lord Mayor and the Publisher. I commend the book ‘On Retreat’ to all Livery Members published by Centimum at £9.99, please see the attached website . http://www.continuumbooks.com/authors/details.aspx?AuthorId=152364&BookI...

Invited by the Sheriff of the City of London Wendy Mead to attend lunch at the Old Bailey with her and Her Majesty’s Judges.

I was very honoured to be invited to arrive at the Lord Mayor’s entrance. I was given a warm welcome and I felt very privileged to be part of such a distinguished group of Judges.

We sat down promptly at 1.00pm with 22 to lunch and rose sharply at 2.00pm in order for the Court’s to continue.

I and the other two guests were invited to attend a Court afterwards We then witnessed the summing up and sentencing of a group of offenders who had committed an armed robbery - all of whom were sent to jail for a very long period.

The Clerk and I were invited by the Worshipful Company of Clothworkers’ to their Court and Livery Dinner at their magnificent hall in Dunster Court, Mincing Lane.

Immediately upon arrival it was clear this was going to be a good party with everybody in good form and revving up towards Christmas.
I and my fellow guests were subjected to a Gourmet's 'Assault Course' of good food and delicious wines.

The Master's Guest Speaker was Professor Anthony Mellows (the Lord Prior of the Order of St John) who gave a thundering good after dinner speech expressing the wish that Livery Companies should do more to 'show off' their charitable giving which for the Year End 2012 reached the staggering sum of £41.85M. A sentiment that I entirely agree with. A really hugely enjoyable evening!

Dinner with the Clerk for the Associated Company’s and Installation Dinner by the Worshipful Company of Cooks at the Innholders’ Hall.

This is such a lovely Hall and makes a perfect setting for an important occasion of the installation of the new Master - Mr Jeffery Osborne BEM. The ceremony of the crowning of the new Master was witnessed by me at very close quarters.

The Worshipful Company of Cooks is the only Livery Company to appoint two Masters. The apocryphal and accepted story is because the appointment of two Masters resolved the problem of both the King and Lord Mayor requiring Master Cooks’ services on the same day. Thus, to ensure that they both received food of the highest quality, two Masters were necessary.

To the Mansion House with all other Masters and their other halves to bid farewell to the departing Lord Mayor.

We were all given tea and excellent sandwiches and it was a wonderful opportunity to say a proper goodbye to both the Lord & Lady Mayoress. It was a very kind invitation on their behalf and much appreciated by all the guests.

Clerk and I visited the Royal School of Needlework to see the progress made on the Lecturn Fall being beautifully made in memory of past Master Charles Gotto. You will see by the attached photographs that this wonderful piece of art is coming on, and will shortly be ready to be on display in all its magnificence for all to see.

As a guest of the Worshipful Company of Dyers the Clerk and I were fortunate to be present at their Annual Swan Dinner at the magnificent Goldsmiths Hall. This was a huge affair with many friends to talk to and not enough time. The host was Prime Warden Mackintoch, it was good to see so many military affiliations to which the Dyers are lucky enough to have - the 4th Parachute Bn, 617 Squadron RAF & 30 Signals Regiment. A magnificent banquet with all the wines carefully chosen by Master of Wine Derek Smedley and a menu which included Dyer Signet. This was a first time for me.

To the Mansion House for the Annual Dinner of the Worshipful Company of Security Professionals greeted by the triumphant Beadle Mr Andrew Bignold whose daytime job is a Metropolitan Police Officer at New Scotland Yard. I was introduced to the Master, Nigel Churton who is also Chief Executive of the Controlled Risk Group. This was a magnificent affair and very well attended and amongst others there Alderman and Sheriff Alan Yarrow and Sheriff Wendy Mead. The guest speaker was Mr Recorder John Bromley-Davenport QC. He delivered a really excellent speech that left my fellow diners and I in hysterics after many amusing tales at the bench.

I was invited down to visit the Grange by Mrs Judith Walker. She is the Chief Executive of this most wonderful charity which our Livery is very fortunate enough to be involved in - in raising funds for embroidery machines. Primarily the Grange helps people with disabilities to achieve their potential and live independent and fulfilling lives. There are 80 'customers' who live either within the Grange or spend weekdays in this extraordinary life fulfilling environment. Helping members of staff there are no less than 110 volunteers who play an invaluable part in every aspect of the life of those who live and spend time there.