66 The Lord Mayor's Banquet for Masters and Mistresses at Mansion House

Thursday 19th March 2015

The night before the United Guild Service, it is the custom for the Lord Mayor and the Lady Mayoress to invite all the Livery Company Masters and Mistresses to a Dinner at Mansion House. The menu card expains that "the Dinner is an opportunity for the Lord Mayor to celebrate his friendship and partnership with the Livery Companies of the City of London, to return some of the hospitality shown to him during his year in office and to reflect on the contribution made by the Livery Companies - old and new - to London and the entire UK".

After a reception in the Salon, dinner was served in the Egyptian Hall. and the Mistress and I had a most entertaining companions. There were humourous speeches by the Master Mercer, the Master Grocer and the Lord Mayor. Pauline and I had a most enjoyable evening to remember.