The Livery Newsletter and Gazette Issue 32 Spring 2020 | Page 4

Warden Elise Rasmussen and Carolyn Tuck for
feeding us with such delicious nibbles.
The January Banquet followed at Drapers‘ Hall
with a focus on charitable giving in general and our
long-standing relationship with Sevenoaks School
in particular. We were lucky to have Lord and Lady
Sackville as our Principal Guests and the highly
talented Emma Johnson (herself a former Sevenoaks
School Pipemakers’ Scholar) and the best clarinettist
in the UK (I’m not biased or anything!) providing
the musical entertainment.
At this point my remaining functions should have
been our Election Court and Luncheon at Tallow
Chandlers’ Hall in March, my Master’s Reception at
All Hallows by the Tower in May and the handover
to Adam Bennett as the new Master in June, with his
Installation at Armourers’ Hall. We all sadly know
what has happened....the Coronavirus has so cruelly
changed all our plans.
I can however tell you about some of what would
have happened had they proceeded! For me the
importance of Tallow Chandlers was twofold:
we were going to celebrate the installation of the
beautiful new Oriel Window commissioned by
Immediate Past Master Roger Brookes and secondly
we were (very belatedly) to welcome many Past
Consorts of the Company as highly deserving
Honorary Freeman. It’s only now that I can really
recognise the huge contribution and commitment
that is required of our Consorts. Our hope now is
for both of these events to happen in the Autumn.
My Master’s Reception was then to be held at All
Hallows, the oldest Church in the City, kindly
recommended to me by Past Master Charles Miller.
It has foundations with both Saxon and Roman
origins which you can tour, a church with a perfect
area for an organ recital (as well as canapés and a
glass or two of champagne) and an outside area for a
cigar! Sadly, this was not to be.
In terms of highlights, I have to say that the Court’s
agreement to recognise the importance of consorts
has been a milestone in my year. The other key
development of which I am particularly proud is our
new relationship with the Irish Guards Association.
I truly believe that this will be an exciting and
rewarding relationship in the best of causes, so neatly
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