January Dinner

24th January 2024

Drapers Hall

January Dinner Blog
Becoming a Warden is exhilarating and daunting. There is a reason why the two most elaborate presentations are for the Fourth Warden and the Master. You immediately start looking at things differently - especially the Annual Banquet and the January Dinner. You analyse speakers, you watch the Master with a bit more awe and awareness. Suddenly time flies and you are walking around halls making decisions about events that will take place in two years time. Then the time has come. Unlike Alice In Wonderland there is no Rabbit hole. There is instead your final Livery Dinner at Drapers’ Hall: full of life, laughter, love. Ladies waltz through the receiving line in voluminous gowns or cocktail dresses with breathtaking accessories. The men are all dapper in black tie - not a bow out of place. With me is Henry Tuck, my gallant Senior Warden, who will soon be standing in my stead with his amazing wife, Carolyn. Henry and I are ready to meet global guests, including a wonderful contingent of special guests from my home state of North Carolina who have travelled to the City of London to experience our Livery Company Dinner . Guest speaker, Patti Boulaye adds glamour to the occasion. She is truly a British treasure. Her kindness and generosity knows no bounds. Magnificent may simply not cover the intoxicating, invigorating, impressive event that unfolds as I sit between the wonderful Master Draper and the divine Patti. I met Patti because of my kind and generous friend, Court Assistant Flora Okereke. Flora delivered the toast to the guests who included several fascinating Masters who I have had the privilege of sharing my year with. After the first Grace our new Honorary Chaplain, Father Jack delivers, dinner is served. Drapers Beef Wellington did not disappoint and the British dessert was a precursor to our Smoking Cap ceremony and Comfort Break where Hunters and Frankau’s finest were savoured in the courtyard. The evening continued with Patti’s spectacular speech where she literally burst into song. It was incredible to hear the story of how she came to the UK and began a career that endures to this day. Music was an enduring theme of the evening as Guildhall school of Music graduate, Patrick Dow performed exquisite duets with our Pipe Makers scholar, Emyr Jones accompanied by Guildhall student pianist, Alastair Burton. What an exceptional way to draw the formal portion of the evening to a close and begin the Stirrup Cup. Liverymen and guests shared final drinks and conversation in the room with the famous portrait of our late Queen. Some spectacular special highlights was the opportunity to recognise Pipe Maker Rex Key, as the first recipient of the Company Award and to present the Alan Beggs Pipe Makers’ Trophy to David Abel. Alan was our esteemed Clerk’s Assistant to our Clerk and a treasured friend who introduced the Company to the Irish Guards Association. This Trophy and award is a tribute to him and a gift from Past Master Jerry Merton.