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Merchant Taylors Hall Black Tie Reception & Dinner

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Merchant Taylors' Hall Black Tie Reception & Dinner

19 March 2008

A champagne reception was held for nearly 300 Guild members and their guests in the various anterooms of Merchant Taylors' Hall in the presence of Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, who was installed as the Guild's Centenary Master.

The installation ceremony took place on the balcony overlooking the galleried Great Hall immediately before dinner.

At the end of dinner the two specially commissioned Centenary Loving Cups were used on the top table for the first time, and then The Princess Royal brought the evening to a close with an amusing and enlightened speech to highlight the start of the Guild's Centenary celebrations.

The Master, his Lady and the Principal Guests
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The Immediate Past Master and Lord Taylor
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Reception and Dinner in Clothworkers' Hall

20 February 2008

A champagne reception greeted Guild Members and their guests in the imposing and stunning Clothworkers' Hall in Mincing Lane, the home of the twelfth of the Great Twelve livery companies.

Party Ingredients produced a delicious 3 course dinner and that was followed by a delightful after-dinner musical programme provided by the charming Gabriella Dall'Olio, strumming on her harp.

The guest speaker, Lord Taylor of Blackburn, spoke amusingly; in response the Master gave a warm and humorous speech including thanking everyone for their support throughout his year in office.

The Guild assemble in the Central Hall
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Guild Members enjoying supper in the City Pipe
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Visit and Supper - The Old Bailey

12 February 2008

Wednesday 6th February and Thursday 12th February

For both visits Guild Members and their guests assembled in Number One Criminal Court, where the Secondary, Mr Charles Henty, gave a talk about the history and role of the Old Bailey. From there the Secondary led the way to the cells below the courtrooms, where many infamous people had awaited their fate.

At the end of the first visit the Master, Mr Gordon Gentry thanked the Secondary for hosting the event, and presented him with a cheque for the Sheriffs' and Recorder's Fund. After each event the Guild group walked to the nearby City Pipe for a three course supper and a glass of wine where people could mull over the visit.

Guild Members and their guests outside the doors to the Grand Temple
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Mr Michael France entertains in The Crusting Pipe
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Freemasons' Hall and Lunch in Covent Garden

31 January 2008

Wednesday 30 and Thursday 31 January

Due to popular demand this event was run on two consecutive days. Guild Members and their guests met for coffee in Freemasons' Hall before the curator of the Library and Museum, Mr Mark Dennis, gave an introductory talk about the origins, customs and ceremonies of Freemasonry.

Later Mr Peter Aitkenhead, gave a fascinating guided tour of the Hall, Library and Museum, including the Grand Temple with its 1 and one quarter ton bronze doors and impressive ceiling.

At 1pm Guild members and their guests strolled into Covent Garden for lunch at The Crusting Pipe. During lunch Mr Michael France, an accomplished tenor, entertained the group to a selection of popular operatic arias before finally the Master, Mr Gordon Gentry thanked everyone for coming.

Singing Auld Lang Syne
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Pipe Majors Tony Kelly and Dixie Ingram
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Burns Night Supper at Tallow Chandlers' Hall

23 January 2008

On this pleasant evening Pipe Majors Tony Kelly and Dixie Ingram played to welcome everyone to Tallow Chandlers' Hall and then led the procession into the dining hall, where Court Assistant Mr Roger Mallindine said the Selkirk Grace.

The Haggis was later piped in and Guild Member Mr John Knox gave the Address to the Haggis. Throughout the evening Court Assistant Mr Roger Mallindine introduced the exceptional variety of whiskies that he had arranged through Diageo (GB) Ltd to accompany the different courses.

After dinner the Master gave the toasts to The Queen, The Royal Family and The Lord Mayor and City of London Corporation. Then Court Assistant Dr John Smail gave the Immortal Memory, and he was followed by Guild member Dr Peter Cannon who proposed the traditional toast to The Lassies. The response was given by the Master's wife, Mrs Anne Gentry, in the form of a ditty immortalised to 'Gordon'.

The evening was brought to a conclusion by a stalwart group of Court and other Guild members leading the assembled company in singing 'Auld Lang Syne', accompanied by Past Master Leslie Lewis on the piano.

The Master and his Lady with Colin Bryant's Hot Rhythm Jazz and Swing Band
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Trad Jazz and Dinner at the Grange Holborn Hotel

9 January 2008

Dinner was served in the beautiful Constellations Room after a champagne reception. Colin Bryant's famous 'Hot Rhythm' Jazz and Swing Band provided the evening's entertainment which started halfway through dinner.

The Master and his lady led the dancing, and they soon inspired most of those present to follow suit.

Mr Alderman and Sheriff Ian Luder with Warden Francis Bergin
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The Dean of St Paul's, the Rt Revd Graeme Knowles, with Past Master David Irving, Senior Past Master Harold Gould and Past Master Joseph Byllam-Barnes
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Annual Banquet at Guildhall

10 December 2007

After being received by the Master and his Lady, Guild members and guests enjoyed a sparkling, champagne reception in the recently refurbished Old Library.

Once everyone had been welcomed, a trumpet fanfare played by the trumpeters from the Band of the Royal Yeomanry announced the arrival of the two Sheriffs and their wives: Mr Alderman and Sheriff Ian Luder and his wife Lin, and Mr Alderman and Sheriff Michael Bear and his wife Barbara. The Dean of St Paul's, the Rt Revd Graeme Knowles, and his wife Susan were among the Guild's other guests.

At the appointed hour the Master, Wardens and senior guests processed into the Great Hall to the traditional music and hand claps, and then a sumptuous four-course dinner was served with excellent wines, coffee and liqueurs. Delightful music was provided throughout the evening by The Salon Orchestra of the Honourable Artillery Company.

After dinner and the Loving Cup Ceremony the Master read a message of greeting from Her Majesty the Queen before proposing the Loyal Toast and a toast to The Royal Family.

His Honour Judge Sir Gavyn Arthur, a member of the Court of Assistants, was the first speaker, and he concluded by proposing the toast to The Lord Mayor, Sheriffs and the City of London Corporation. The response was given by Mr Alderman and Sheriff Ian Luder He was followed by the Senior Warden, Mr Francis Bergin, who welcomed the guests before introducing Dr. Colin White, Director of the Royal Naval Museum, Portsmouth, who gave a very interesting and amusing speech.

Finally the Master replied, thanking Dr. Colin White. Grateful thanks were also given to Major Nick Gill, Officer Commanding 253 Provost Company RMP (V) and his soldiers who had provided the Honour Guard that evening. Finally the Master brought the evening to a happy end by thanking everyone for coming and wishing them a safe journey home.

Please note: the photographs that illustrate these articles are the copyright of Peter Holland, the Guild's photographer, or of the Guild (unless otherwise stated). Anyone wishing to obtain copies should contact the Guild office.

The Guild of Freemen of the City of London