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The Raleigh Lecture was created in 2018 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the beheading of Sir Walter Raleigh, statesman, soldier, writer and explorer.  Business then was ‘looking ahead to Brexit and new trade deals outside Europe’. Students were invited from private and state schools to the impressive Drapers’ Hall…...

There was a great turnout from the Company and sector for the third in our prestigious series of City Water Debates.  Organised around World Water Day it was close to 1st April, the 50 year anniversary of the formation of the regional water authorities, based on river basins and catchments.…...

The Foreman of the Guildable Manor of Southwark, Lawrence Day ISO CStJ JP, invited several Livery Masters, including myself and my Consort, to participate in a celebration of the 1462 Charter of Edward IV.  The charters of 1327, 1462 and 1550 were for the acquisition of the Guildable Manor and…...

I was privileged to be invited by the Master of the Management Consultants to attend a meeting of her Ward Club.  The speaker was Lord Macdonald, a lifetime diplomat and expert on global issues, who shared with us his personal perspectives.  He chose to focus on Israel/Palestine, Ukraine, USA and…...

Marilyn Luson, Consort to Nigel Luson, Master Turner, arranged for a wood-turning demonstration for the Consorts.  This was held south of the river, in deepest darkest Surrey. Our master craftsman was Les Thorne, whose workshop is also adapted for tuition.  The demonstration was held at Cuddington Golf Club, which led…...

I was pleased to accept an invitation from the Master Engineer to attend a reception by the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) to celebrate time.  This was part of a series of experiments initiated by the Lord Mayor of London Alderman Professor Michael Mainelli’s mayoral theme ‘Connect to Prosper’. According to…...

A key date in the Livery Calendar is the United Guilds’ Service in St Paul’s Cathedral. I was pleased to attend on behalf of the Water Conservators with my Consort, Eileen, the Wardens and members and friends of the Company. The Livery were a magnificent sight of colour and history.…...

Until the last quarter of the 19th century the Lord Mayor hosted an annual banquet for the heads of the Great Twelve Livery Companies.  Today the dinner is for all Livery Companies. It is held to celebrate the partnership with the Livery Companies of the City of London and to…...

The 18th Ezra Memorial Lecture was given by the Lord Mayor of the City of London, Professor Michael Mainelli.  The audience included academics and students, members of the Fuellers’ Company and other Livery Companies. Professor Michael Mainelli started by observing that, for a colourless gas, hydrogen generates a lot of…...