Ceremony of the Keys, Tower of London, Friday 26 September

A visit to the Tower of London is always special but when you witness the 10pm Ceremony of the Keys it is even moreso.  A group from our Company was taken on the tour by a Yeoman Warder after which we all enjoyed a drink or 2 in ‘The Keys’, the bar within the Tower.  At about 9.40pm we headed outside for a quick brief as to what we would see during the ceremony, which occurs every night at 10pm when the gates to the Tower are closed.  It is said to be the oldest military ceremony in the world.  On this occasion members of the RAF formed the Tower of London guard.  A wonderful event and if you haven’t ever seen it, then I would certainly recommend it.

The Annual Sheep Drive, Southwark Bridge, Sunday 28 September

Our Company team, known as ‘The Dippers’ drove their sheep across Southwark Bridge on Sunday 28 September.  To qualify to do this one must be a Freeman of the City of London and the annual event is organised by The Worshipful Company of Woolmen.  Amazingly the sheep were well behaved, if not a bit slow, and we managed to get our walk in before it turned cloudy and we felt drops of rain begin to fall.  Not wishing to get our gowns wet, we hastily retrieved our Certificates and either made our way home or to various venues for a well-deserved drink!  My thanks to those in the team who organised us all and created a WhatsApp group to ensure we had excellent communications on the day.

Electing the Lord Mayor and CSyP Annual Dinner, Monday 29 September

A busy day, starting with a cooked breakfast at Guildhall which the Clerk and I attended.  Then it was off to the Vault at Saddlers’ Hall to collect the Master’s Gown and chain and return to Guildhall where Dame Sue Langley was elected as the 697^th Lord May – but first Lady Mayor – of London.  We very much look forward to supporting and working with Sue in her special year.  After the Election we made our way to Stationers’ Hall where we enjoyed a lunch with a number of other Livery Companies.  

In the evening I attended the CSyP Annual Dinner at The Rembrandt Hotel in Kensington.  This was an excellent opportunity to meet and talk with CSyP Registrants, as well as those who had recently qualified and who received their Certificates after the Dinner. 

Musicians’ Annual Evensong and Reception, Wednesday 1 October

A delightful annual service, hosted by the Musicians’ Company at St Paul’s Cathedral, which is attended by Masters, Wardens and Clerks of Livery Companies, after which a Reception is held.  

Young Members’ Group (YMG) Drinks, Thursday 2 October

The new Chair of the YMG invited me, as Master, to their drinks evening at the Samuel Pepys Pub in London and I was delighted to attend.  The YMG comes under our Events and Communications Committee and focuses on the age group 21-40.  Whilst I do not qualify in age, I currently do as the Master and I am only too pleased to support it!

Lady Masters’ Association, 10^th Anniversary Lunch, Monday 6 October

As a Lady Master I was invited to their Association’s 10^th Anniversary Lunch at Innholders’ Hall on Monday 6 October.  It was very encouraging to see so many past and current Lady Masters present and that the Association continues to flourish.