Modern Livery Dinner
10th March 2025Stationers Hall
The Modern Livery Companies dinner is held twice a year and this one was organised by The Honourable Company of Air Pilots.
Held in Stationers Hall, we were all given boarding passes to find our seats. I did ask for an emergency exit row but they did not seem to be on offer....
The Principal Guest was Alderwoman Sue Langley, (who will of course be the next Lord Mayor, subject to election..), with her husband Gary. She spoke very well about the contribution of Modern Livery Companies in providing modern career apprenticeships, which made me feel that were there somewhat under false pretences.
Our core craft is ancient and it is only our curious history that has meant that we are classified as a modern company. Perhaps we need to find a more modern activity to support as well as trying to maintain our heritage?
It was an enjoyable evening which gave Senior Warden Tony Scanlan and I a very good opportunity to meet some of the more recently installed Masters and up and coming Senior Wardens.
Our company will be responsible for organising the next Modern Livery Company dinner in September so Tony will no doubt have taken notes on the evening, for example:
- The assembled company only filled half of Stationers Hall - not good
- We moved seats half way through the meal to meet new people - good
- No post meal entertainment - disappointing
- Good speaker - excellent
None the less an interesting evening!