The Livery Newsletter and Gazette Issue 30 Spring 2019 | Page 17

The lunch was deliciously catered by Mark Grove
and his team at Cook & Butler and we cracked
along at a goodly pace. Our guests were admirably
introduced by Liveryman Fran Morrison and our
Principal Guest, Tim Wonnacott gave a generous and
very humorous reply to which I responded initially
by drenching poor Tim in a glass of water - he was
very kind about it (sorry Tim!). I was very pleased
to show off the newly found Livery Grant of Arms
and Letters Patent which have been missing for many
years - our Clerk tenaciously sought them out, and
the new Immediate Past Master, Chris Allen, and his
IPM, Mark Gower-Smith have funded a beautiful re-
presentation and they are now resplendent in frames
carved with tobacco leaves (or close to); Sandra also
located a huge banner not seen since 1985 and Angus
Menzies, Clerk to the Master Mariners and never shy
of a challenge saw to it that it was displayed on the
Quarterdeck.
Whilst all this was going on, apparently biblical-
style downpours were being had all over London
- oblivious to all that drama we ended our lunch
and trooped back to the quarterdeck where Coffee,
and idea
Cognac
us links
(I did with
mention
that
From April to July this year I was on Sabbatical, or study Cigars,
leave. The
was awaited
to explore
the City
Livery extensively
enjoyed dining
on the links
High in C’s..)
of London and its Livery Companies around the world. I our
travelled
and found
each and
of the
which
seemed
to
hit
the
mark
–
Liveryman
places I visited. I went to Florida, Virginia (where I stayed with Past Master Julian Keevil) , Niagara, Jemma
Toronto,
Freeman
had kindly
the torpedo
cigars I
Auckland, Wellington, Melbourne, Tasmania, Sydney, Cairns,
Singapore
and provided
Dubai! While
I was travelling
had had exploring
them placed
tubes Both
with these
our
kept a daily blog and afterwards I wrote a more reflective and
document
what in I souvenir
had learned.
Crest
emblazoned
on
it.
Several
of
us
also
sported
are accessible through the church website at www.stlawrencejewry.org.uk/sabbatical2018 .
a limited edition Livery Smoking hat - originally
There is but one question on everyone’s lips now that humanity
in which
conceived and
as a the
sort interconnected
of shooting hat, way
it serves
its we
I am back: what did you enjoy most?
live
in
this
century.
This
gift
is
something
which
purpose so well as a “team” hat, that of the twenty is
wonderful
to one
receive,
and even
better
ordered, but
remained
by the
close to of give.
the day!
This seems to be an impossible question. There was
Thank you to the Master Mariners for allowing us the
so much that I did, and so many people and places.
I returned from the sabbatical refreshed and
use of the venue, to Tim for being a perfect Principal
If I must commit to an answer I think that it is this:
renewed. I am sure I will bore you all with tales of
Guest, and for everyone attending and giving my
I was overwhelmed by the hospitality I was offered
my travels in the days to come. Meanwhile I thank
year such a special start.
around the world. I was greeted in homes, hotels,
all those who supported the sabbatical and made it
and cathedrals. I spoke about the City and the Livery possible for me to travel and for the work here to
at dinners and events of various types. In each place
continue in my absence.
The Master
people treated me like a guest of honour.
Sabbatical Newsletter report
Hospitality is a gift. When we are welcomed by
someone into their home and their City and treated
with such generous care we realise the power of
David Parrott
Honorary Chaplain and Liveryman
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