City of London Police War Memorials – Monday 9 March

I was privileged, as Master, to be invited on Monday 9 March to a Service and Reception at the City of London Police’s HQ at Guildhall Yard East where a permanent display of War Memorials are on show. The Memorials honour those Police Officers who signed up to fight and lost their lives in both World Wars. They were first displayed in the City HQ in Old Jewry until they were moved to Wood Street Police Station in the 1960s.  Following the closure of Wood Street in 2021 the Memorials were stored but were recovered in early 2025 and displayed on the first floor of the Atrium at Guildhall Yard East.  After a short service, during which Sheriff & Deputy Keith Bottomley and CoLP officers spoke, we made our way to a Reception on the third floor for refreshments. 

International Women’s Day Service, St Mary Le Bow – Monday 9 March

Having attended the CoLP event I then made my way over to St Mary le Bow for a service to mark International Women’s Day which was led by all-female Church officials.  

Modern Livery Dinner, Furniture Makers’ Hall – Monday 9 March

A busy day on 9 March!  Having attended 2 events during the day I did my ‘Wonder Woman’ act and changed at the City of London Club into an evening dress (Black Tie) attire for the Modern Livery Dinner at Furniture Makers’ Hall.  The Dinner is held twice a year and modern Livery Companies take it in turn to host.  The Master and Senior Warden are invited.  A warm welcome by Master Furniture Maker, with a delicious dinner and wines.  The guest speaker was Brigadier Neil Bellamy whose next posting will be as Defence Attache at the British Embassy in Berlin.  Having spent 3 years in 1980’s West Berlin during my FCO career I enjoyed chatting to him post-Dinner about the city – and how it has changed since then!  

Tallow Chandlers lunch, Tallow Chandlers’ Hall – Tuesday 10 March

Hosted by Master Tallow Chandler, Jonathan Spence, the lunch was for Masters, Prime Wardens, Upper Bailiffs and Clerks. Both Adrienne (our Clerk) and I attended and we were warmly received by the Master, with an English Sparkling Wine reception, followed by a delicious 3-course lunch with lovely wines, Madeira and Port!  An extremely convivial lunch which brings together Masters and their Clerks – a great opportunity to find out more about other Livery Companies and compare notes!

Meet the Shrieval candidates, Guildhall – Tuesday 10 March

Masters, Prime Wardens and Upper Bailiffs were invited to a Reception at Guildhall on Tuesday 10 March to meet Alderman Prem Goyal CBE and Alderman The Hon Tim Levene who will stand as Aldermanic Sheriffs for 2026/2027.  Subject to election on 24 June they will be Installed as Sheriffs in late September.