Jailed and Bailed
25th September 2023Old Bailey and Tower of London
There I was standing in the dock in the Old Bailey looking at my fellow Masters all of whom were, like me, anxiously awaiting news of their crimes. The Consorts sat comfortably in the courtroom knowing smiles pursed their lips. The anticipation was building. The representative from the Red Cross rose and made glowing remarks about the Masters and their Livery Companies, only to be quickly and sternly rebuked by Sheriff Andrew Marsden, Judge and Jury for the day. One by one we rose to hear our crimes and learn our fate.
My crime was described as stealthy. I had defaced a priceless René Magritte painting by photographing it - with a flash!!!! Gasps and tuts filled the courtroom as my sentence to go straight to the Tower of London and quaff bountiful bottles of Pol Roger Champagne was pronounced.
We exited quietly, each of us aware that the Old Bailey was full of others whose trials were ongoing and whose fates had not yet been sealed. After photographs with Sheriff Marsden and an inspired impromptu history of the Old Bailey and surrounds and what it would have been like for us had Newgate Prison still been operational, we were led to a London Bus and driven sombrely to the Tower. A fierce Yeoman Warden with a pointed axe awaited our arrival. He barked his orders and one by one we assembled in a straight line and marched through the Tower in our gowns and chains of office. Gaping tourists took in the sights, taking photos and pointing as we reached our final stop and properly positioned ourselves for a group photo. Then we bid farewell to the light of day as we processed into the guarded building and made our way past bewildered tourists who were definitely seeing more than they paid for. Once upstairs a pewter goblet of bubbles was placed in our hands. We spent the next hours comparing our crimes and devouring the exceptional meal before us. Then it was time to face the Red Cross Volunteers whose global efforts make the lives of so many bearable during unexpected disasters. I myself experienced their calm, coordinated response during a tornado in Raleigh, North Carolina many years ago. The damage was so severe that in addition to some fatalities, an entire shopping area near my house was demolished in minutes. The sounds of what I anticipated was the loss of part of my townhouse still plays in my head at times. Standing before these heroes and heroines, I was grateful for the friends and family who contributed to my bail, raising £1700 against a fine of £1200. No one can appreciate the importance of a Red Cross meal or blanket until they have stared out their window and seen their smiles and reassuring gestures. On this day, after being photographed with the Yeoman Warden and had our thumbprints affixed to our certificate we made our way back into the light. We were reunited with our consorts who had shared their own proud moments together, knowing that they too had contributed to this incredible experience. The amount raised through the Livery Jailed and Bailed Scheme is extraordinary and a reminder that our year in office is life changing not just for us; but, for the communities and charities we raise needed funds for and the lives we are able to touch.