Upholders' Mansion House Banquet

24th October 2018

Formed in 1360, in the reign of Edward III, the Upholders' Company oversaw the regulations governing fillings to be used in the making of featherbeds, bolsters, pillows, quilts, mattresses and cushions initially in the City of London but eventually in the whole kingdom. It had the power to exerice its right to search, destroy bad wares and to inflict fines which it did until around the mid-18th Century. Today, the Company still has a connection to its industry and includes funeral directors in its membership.

Any event held at Mansion House is a special occasion and the Upholders' Banquet was no exception. The Master, Tim Solway and his Lady, Gilly Solway, presided with confidence and good humour over a wonderful evening. The Principal Guest was the Lord Mayor Charles Bowman, attending what was to be his last Livery Company dinner in his extraordinary year in office. The Lord Mayor delivered a fine speech mixing central messages about the power of the City and the confidence that British businesses should feel as Brexit negotiations conclude with personal reflections on the highlights of his term in office. Much of the latter derived from the fun engaged in the fundraising activities for The Lord Mayor's Appeal. The speech concluded with the Lord Mayor making a gift to the Master Upholder of a peppermill, peppercorns being an historic symbol of trust; a fitting acknowldegement for Tim Solway's considerable contribution and companionship at many of these charitable events.