Newsletter - April 2022

United Guilds' Service on 1st April 2022

The Master, Wardens, Clerk and other Liverymen attended the splendid service at St Paul's Cathedral on 1st April. All Livery Companies and Guilds were in attendance, as well as the Lord Mayor, Sheriffs, Aldermen and the Bishop of London. This was the first time since 2019 and it was quite a spectacle.

Here are the "team" ready for lunch afterwards!

The Master's visit to the Shire Horse Society on 12th March 2022

The Master and his wife were the guests of the Shire Horse Society’s annual show at Newark. And what a wonderful day they had!

In the morning the President of the Society, Sophie Countess of Wessex, presented prizes for various categories including yearling colts. Although still young, these yearlings had all the characteristics of youth, jumping around and pulling grooms all over the main ring. They looked wonderful.

In the afternoon, they watched the Pairs Trade entrants. Two shires pulling a variety of drays around the open arena. All beautifully turned out and the drays resplendent. A lot of hard work had been put into the teams.

Of course, the Master's eyes were drawn to the Brewers trade entrant! Old habits don’t leave you! There were plenty of trade stalls with all sorts of products and the opportunity to buy things.

They did notice, and visited, The Worshipful Company of Farriers’ branded gazebo, which was very impressive. Something for The Loriners to think on. 

A wonderful day and highly recommended. The Master thinks we should develop the relationship with The Shire Horse Society.

Spring Court Lunch on 28th April 2022

Two year’s ago we had to cancel the Spring Court Lunch at very short notice due to the pandemic. 

We are so pleased that we can celebrate Spring together this year at Tallow Chandlers’ Hall on Thursday 28th April 2022. Lunch is timed for 12.30 for 1 p.m. Dress code is "lounge suit".

The price is £95 a head for a three course lunch with wine (the price includes VAT). On this occasion you may bring your partner/spouse and two further guests (space permitting).

We are delighted to welcome Mr Chris Carter, Head of Partnership Development at Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity as our guest speaker for this event. 

Let’s hope for a lovely Spring day so that the pre-lunch reception can take place in the courtyard at Tallow Chandlers’ Hall. Please book your places below and closing date for bookings is Friday 15th April 2022.

Mansion House Banquet on 27th May 2022

We are delighted to invite you to the highlight of the year - the Loriners' Annual Banquet at the Mansion House on Friday 27th May. Take the opportunity to start the Platinum Jubilee celebrations in style in the spectacular setting on the Egyptian Hall. Our Guest speaker will be Professor Stuart W J Reid CBE who is Principal at The Royal Veterinary College and we look forward to hearing about his interesting career. 

Following the great success of last year's event, we are keeping the ticket prices the same at £145 per head and including the same incentives:

  • Bring nine guests and your ticket will be free (i.e. a party of 10)
  • Bring five guests and your ticket will be only £70 (i.e. a party of 6)
  • You can pay by credit card via the website
  • You can pay by standing order* in instalments of £36.25 a month over four months
  • Dress code is Black or White Tie so you don't have to go to the expense of hiring White Tie if you don't have it
  • Do come solo if you wish - we will have one sprig for those on their own and will amkesure you can all meet up at the reception

We are keen to encourage our younger, newer members and our Apprentices to attend. If you are the Master of an Apprentice you may like to subsidise their ticket. If you are a Member of the Company under the age of 30 you will be entitled to a 20% discount on your ticket. 

As the Banquet is on a Friday evening, you may wishe to make a weekend of it - reasonable places to stay in the City are:

Premier Inns at Southwark, Fleet Street, Blackfriars www.premierinn.com

Bank Traveldoge www.travellodge.co.uk/uk/london

Book now! We look forward to celebrating with you on Friday 27th May 2022

MAKE AN EVEN GREATER IMPRESSION THIS YEAR WITH OUR SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

We are very fortunate that some members of the Company sponsored some aspects of the Banquet in November 2021 which meant that for the first time we did not make a loss. Sponsorship helps us to keep the ticket price at a reasonable level. All sponsors will be acknowledged in the menu with their name and/or company logo. If you or your company would like to take advantage of this, click below to contact the Clerk to find out more.

Livery Company "did you know"....

In 1516 the Livery Companies of the time were ranked by wealth, the top tier being called the Great Twelve and that terms remains today. The Merchant Taylors and the Skinners tied for 6th and 7th place - which is where the term "at sixes and sevens" - in others words, can't decide - comes from. To this day, they change rank in precedence every year and here is a picture of the Lord Mayor conducting the "changing of the gavels" ceremony a few days ago.

The Master would like to bring these two events to your attention, and encourage you to attend:

And finally.....

The Charity trustees are delighted to announce that they have donated £1,000 to the Disaster Emergency Committee Ukraine Appeal.

Please "save the date" for a virtual "Meet and Greet" social on the evening of 5th May. More details to follow.

We are delighted announce the Curriers' and Loriners' Platinum Jubilee Charity Ball on Saturday 17th September 2022 at Merchant Taylors' Hall. More details to follow shortly but please "save the date".