Modern Livery Companies Dinner
15th September 2025Held at Armourers' Hall
18 years ago, our Company last hosted the Modern Livery Companies Dinner; George Lankester was Master. It is an event that occurs every 6 months, and we chose the Armourers' Hall as the venue. What a spectacular hall to have it in.
Masters and Senior Wardens represented all the Modern Liveries except for one, so it was an excellent turnout. Our Clerk Sandra and her team presided over an event that ran like clockwork. With our Beadle Wayne still out injured, the Armourer's Beadle Terry stood in, doing an impressive job managing the flow of the evening.
I made a short speech giving a brief history of our Company, then introduced Honorary Secondary Fiona Adler as the Guest Speaker. Fiona's family is steeped in the history of our Company. Her Grandfather was our first Master, her Father a distinguished Master and she was our first female Freeman and Master.
Her speech was very clever; she had canvassed the Clerks of the Modern Livery Companies for guilty secrets or little-known facts about the Masters. These she wove together into an entertaining tale, sparing no blushes.
Julia Solomon, one of our Guildhall School of Music Pipe Scholars and a granddaughter of Past Master John Solomon accompanied by her colleague Jack, performed 3 magnificent pieces that had entertainment for all tastes.
Cook and Butler once again did a fine job of keeping us fed and watered and ensured there was a generous Stirrup Cup, which enabled Masters to mingle freely.
We have had many, many letters of congratulations and appreciation.
The baton is passed to the Furniture Makers; the bar is set high.