Garden of Remembrance Service – Monday 3 November

A very busy week for Masters of all Livery Companies, given Remembrance commemorations and the Lady Mayor’s Show.  On Monday 3 November Adrienne (the Clerk) and I joined other Masters and Clerks at St Paul’s Cathedral for the Garden of Remembrance Service and planting of wooden crosses (Token of Remembrance).  The morning started off with a buffet breakfast in the Crypt, before we all joined the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs for the ceremony in the North Churchyard.  A short service was conducted by the Dean of St Paul’s and the music was provided by the band of the Grenadier Guards and a choir from the City of London Schools.  A very special and poignant event.  We were very fortunate with the weather too!  After the ceremony we enjoyed a very pleasant lunch at Grocers’ Hall.

OSAC Conference – Thursday 6 November

Together with the Middle Warden and other members from the WCoSP, I was invited to the OSAC (Overseas Security Advisory Council) Conference at the US Embassy on Thursday 6 November.  This Conference brings together security professionals who present on emerging threats and review developments in technology.  This year the Conference focussed on ‘Accelerating Cybersecurity with AI Agents – can enterprise security teams provide a scalable and adaptive response to evolving threats?’  A fascinating afternoon which demonstrated just how fast technology continues to develop.  So, Ethan Hunt and the Mission Impossible team – keep up!

Silent Ceremony – Friday 7 November

Every year the Silent Ceremony is held at Guildhall on the second Friday in November when the incumbent Lord Mayor hands over their badge of office and other ceremonial regalia to the Lord/Lady Mayor-Elect.  The ceremony is conducted in silence, with the exception of the Declaration made by the incoming Lord/Lady Mayor.  I was delighted to witness this year’s ceremony when Dame Sue Langley became the first female Mayor to be titled ‘Lady Mayor’.  Many congratulations to our first Lady Mayor and we wish her a very happy and successful year.  

Lady Mayor’s Show – Saturday 8 November

This Show, held annually, is usually on the second Saturday in November when the new Lord/Lady Mayor travels in procession to the Royal Courts of Justice to swear an oath to the Sovereign.  A huge number of Livery Companies, Military Units, Bands, Schools and organisations take part.  The Senior Warden, Clerk and I represented the Worshipful Company and walked the whole route as part of the Modern Liveries Float, this year organised by the Worshipful Company of Firefighters.  A wonderful day and the weather stayed dry – and warmer than in 2024!  I ended the day back at Mansion House in time to welcome the return of the Lady Mayor, after which Chris and I joined a number of Masters and other guests for lunch at Mansion House.

Remembrance Service – Sunday 9 November

I joined other Masters for the very moving annual City Remembrance Service at St Paul’s on Sunday 9 November, which was also attended by the Lady Mayor and Sheriffs.  A lovely Service during which we remembered the Fallen at 11am with the 2-minute silence.  After the Service we walked down Cheapside to The Royal Exchange to join members of the Military for the laying of wreaths at the War Memorial.  The Lady Mayor and Sheriffs returned to Mansion House to watch the March-Past.  A lunch followed at Guildhall for Masters and Consorts.