City Gateway - If you should access the attached link you will see that we are not the only supporters of City Gateway. This article amongst others tells a very compelling story about what we are all trying to do to help City Gateway.  

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/get-london-reading/article-239896...

Amongst many others, I was invited to the service to commemorate the 10^th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the United States of America and the 20^th anniversary of the Fire Fighter’s Memorial Trust at St Paul’s Cathedral.

The service remembered the terrorist attacks on the United States of America, and the sacrifice that members of the Fire service make in the course of their duty. The service also remembered all those people that have been victims of terrorist attacks in the cities of the world in recent years.

Off to La Galleria on Pall Mall to celebrate the second anniversary of Wool Week where I was invited by the Worshipful Company of Woolmen to attend the reception and view the amazing exhibition of wool. The campaign for Wool Ltd of which the Worshipful Company of Woolmen play a huge contribution was initiated by HRH the Prince of Wales just over a year ago. Since then the 'profile' of wool has steadily increased which has been reflected in the increase in the price of wool, particularly to the producer and the higher profile of products manufactured by this great natural fibre. In celebration of the second Wool Week campaign, this flagship event was held where the objective was to promote wool and to 'showcase' the wonderful fabrics made by wool.

By invitation of the Royal School of Needlework (RSN), I made my first visit to Hampton Court to meet Susan Kay-Williams the Chief Executive and to tour the School. RSN occupy two large apartments at Hampton Court on the top floor where there is an abundance of bright light and fresh air. In many ways it is an absolutely ideal spot for needlework to be conducted as it is such a peaceful and tranquil setting.

Susan Kay-Williams has many exciting ideas for the future and is ensuring that this great organisation, formed in 1872, remains thoroughly relevant to the beginning of this century. Her ultimate aim will be to create the position of Master of Needlework. I am sure she will succeed.

The Clerk and I were invited to a Court Dinner by the Master, Wardens and Court Assistants to the Worshipful Company of Insurers. Their dinner was held in the Watermen’s Hall on St Mary at Hill. There were 33 guests including Alderman David Wootton and the new Sheriff-Elect Wendy Mead. In dicussion with Alderman David Wootton, he mentioned how much he was looking forward to the fact that the Broderers would be taking full part in the Lord Mayors Show. It was a most enjoyable dinner washed down with some delicious Rioja Santiago Reserva 2004.

Off to the Central Criminal Court as the guest of the Chairman of the Sheriffs' and Recorder’s Fund to attend the Annual General Meeting. It was fascinating as it was my first visit to the Old Bailey. The guest speaker was Baroness Hale of Richmond whose speech centred on Human Rights. It was a very enjoyable evening and very well attended by a number of other Masters and their Clerks together with some very distinguished Judges. The evening concluded with a short reception afterwards.

Off to St Michael’s Church Cornhill for the Annual Company Service of the Worshipful Company of Drapers. This was a very uplifting service with some terrific singing by both choir and congregation. The Sermon was given by the Lord Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich the Right Reverend Nigel Stock. Afterwards, we then all wandered back to the Drapers Hall for a magnificent buffet luncheon. This occasion was attended by about 230 people, and wonderful opportunity of meeting up Lady Victoria Leatham who will be our guest speaker at the Associated Company’s Dinner on 27th October. A really enjoyable event!

St Paul's Cathedral the capital's Iconic Place of Worship celebrated its 300th Anniversary on 21st June 2011. By invitation from the Dean, The Right Reverend Graeme Knowles, all the Masters and their Clerks of the Livery fraternity were invited to attend the service. In total 3,000 other guests were in the congregation including Her Majesty the Queen, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh and HRH The Duchess of Gloucester.

I accepted an invitation from the Royal School of Needlework to attend their Foundation Degree Graduate Showcase. This was held in the Charles Clore building adjacent to Hampton Court Palace. What a magnificent setting to display and showcase embroidery undertaken by the next future generation.
I had the privilege of meeting the Chief Executive Dr Susan Kay-Williams and the Chairman Brian Levy, and to be able to speak to the recipients of the Awards. All of whom were young, energetic and professional in their pursuit of the excellence of the craft of embroidery. There were some magnificent contributions towards the competition and clearly judging was difficult.

This evening I attended the opening of the Worshipful Company of Pewterers Design Competition which was ' show cased' as Pewter Live 2011.
Pewterers have been actively involved in pewter trades since the middle ages. They had two competitions; the student and the open. The entire ground floor of the Pewterers Hall was devoted to a magnificent display of contemporary pewter designs and creations. It was a stunning display made all the more enjoyable by delicious champagne and eats.