The Guild of Freemen of the City of London

Mrs Hodgkiss, Mrs Belton, Mrs Heesom and Miss Lowes
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The Great Hall
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The Master, the Honorary Chaplain and Mrs Moses
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Dinner at Salters' Hall

23 May 2006

On a warm and sunny evening 120 Guild members and their guests assembled at Salters' Hall for a traditional City Livery dinner. This fascinating hall, designed and built in the 1970s by Basil Spence with the interior by David Hicks, provided a wonderful setting for a Summer dinner party. For most this was the first time that they had had the opportunity to see around this magnificent building, which was delightfully presented for the occasion with displays of silver and other treasures and beautiful floral arrangements. It certainly did not disappoint.

After a well-presented and deliciously prepared dinner the Master rose to say farewell to the Guild's Honorary Chaplain, the Very Reverend Dr John Moses, Dean of St Paul's Cathedral, who is retiring after 10 years service in the City of London. The Master thanked Dr Moses for all he had done for the Guild during his decade in office, and presented him with an exact replica of the Falstaff Cup, the original of which was made in 1590 and is one of the treasures in St Paul's Cathedral. Then Dr Moses rose to thank the Master and all members of the Guild for the presentation, and reminisced with wit and affection about the many highlights of his tenure as Dean of St Paul's. Finally, to bring a very happy evening to a close, the Master presented a bouquet of flowers to Mrs Moses and, on behalf of all memebers of the Guild, wished both a long and happy retirement.