CONSTRUCTORS' ROYAL CHARTER BANQUET: 14 APRIL

Coat of arms of the Constructors' Company

Thursday evening it was off to Merchant Taylors' Hall to be a guest at the Constructors' Royal Charter Banquet.  Receiving a first Royal Charter is a very important rite of passage for a livery company.  It is only authorised by the Privy Council after exhaustive enquiries and can take some years to negotiate.  Once authorised it acts as the constitution of the Company and, unless amended by the Privy Council, provides the  framework for its subsequent existence and operation.

The Royal Charter had been received a year earlier.  However it is custom and practice that the charter is handed over by a member of the royal family.  This was the purpose of the evening and HRH Duke of Gloucester officiated.

The Duke was the ideal choice for the Constructors.  It is a Company that covers all aspects of the building world - for more details go to www.constructorscompany.co.uk  The Duke is a qualified architect and has a considerable interest in what is now called the built environment.

The Royal Charter was formally handed over at the beginning of dinner.  The conclusion of the dinner witnessed four excellent speeches. 

Court Assistant Victoria Russell managed to welcome all the guests, over thirty of them, in a most entertaining way.  This I can say from both observation and personal experience takes some doing.  She challenged me about my blog and wondered what would be post.  Victoria, now you know!

Piers Gough CBE, the noted architect, gave a lyrical evocation of architecture and its impact on both individuals and society.  Alderman Sir David Howard Bt responded on behalf of the City and finally Master Patricia Newton brought the proceedings to an excellent close.

Only the week before Patricia Newton had been admitted to the Drapers' Company by redemption so it was good to see one of the newest Drapers so much at the centre of affairs of another Company.

It was a memorable evening.

ST MICHAEL'S CORNHILL NEW YEAR'S SERVICE 14 JANUARY

Although not a Drapers' Company event the New Year Service at St Michael's Cornhill is a secure part of the Company year and our first event of the New Year.

The Master and Wardens along with the Alderman of Cornhill Ward, Sir David Howard Bt, play a part in the service.

The church was packed.  Rev Peter Mullen put on a really good service including great hymns and beautiful singing by the choir.  This was complemented by a former Army colleague of mine, Major General Tim Cross, who in addition to a distinguished military and academic career is also a Church of England lay reader.

He gave an arresting address.  This started from the Army's identification that there was a moral component of military effectiveness that was equal to having the right kit and the right plans.  If the moral component was not right the best kit and best plans would not produce success.  He then went on to challenge whether we had a sufficient moral component in our broader national life.  His address will shortly be on www.st-michaels.org.uk/

It was then on to the Hall for a buffet lunch.  It was good to see members of the Company, masters and clerks of many other livery companies and members of the congregation all mingling together.

PS if you want to see another report why not visit Liveryman Herry Lawford's excellent Herry's Journal - it is one of the links of this blog.