Autumn Court and Dinner
24th September 2025Wax Chandlers' Hall
The first full Court in my tenure as Master. It was good to get hold of the gavel and wield real power, finally! The Court ran smoothly as always, meticulously prepared by the Clerk.
One of the first orders of business was to install a new Court Assistant, Tom Harris. A wonderfully experienced Liveryman and former Master of the Drapers' Company, we trust he will add considerable value to our debates.
I was delighted to admit Michael Harrison, Hayder Hoozeer and Karen Neilinger as Freemen of the Company. Our meeting finished in good time, so we were able to mingle and prepare for dinner in a little more leisurely fashion than is often the case.
I had not attended the Wax Chandlers' Hall before. The Court Room was light and airy, the dining room intimate and full of character. We welcomed Ian Appleton, Master Wax Chandler, his Clerk Richard Moule, Mathew Burrow, Master Mariner, and his Clerk Mike Jenkins.
With only the Loyal Toast and a short welcoming speech by myself we found ourselves with plenty of time to talk at the tables and enjoy a leisurely stirrup cup.
In the absence of our Beadle, the Wax Chanders' Beadle, Stanley, stepped in and did a fine job. My thanks to Court Assistant Sue Curran and Clerks' Assistant Bill Curran, for helping to make it all possible.