Raine Drops – The Master’s Blog November 25
This month’s Raine Drops highlights a lively start to the Master’s year. Despite an early mishap resulting in a broken arm, she has embraced a demanding schedule of civic events, ceremonies and dinners with characteristic optimism and energy. These reflections offer a warm snapshot of her first busy weeks in office.
It was wonderful to see so many of you at my Installation. It was a full-on day ending with dinner at the Grocers Hall as a guest of the Musicians Company. Those of you who attended the Installation Lunch would have heard me say during my speech that I was going to throw myself into the role. Well, five days after my installation, I did just that! I took a tumble at Mansion House, no alcohol involved, and fractured my humerus, although I found it far from amusing. Eating with one hand, is a great way to keep the pounds from piling on but not one you will find in any diet book.
A mere broken bone did not stop Ian & I from enjoying a fabulous evening that same week as guests at the Installation Dinner for the Worshipful Company of Builders Merchants held at the spectacular Merchant Taylors Hall on 24 October.
The first social event in my calendar was on 28 October, a splendid sell-out tour of the Houses of Parliament, kindly hosted by Lvy. Lord Kirkhope of Harrogate. He also arranged for Lord Young of Cookham, a Deputy Lord Speaker, to join us for tea which was an added bonus.
The same evening, Ian and I attended a reception at Wizardry in Wood, a fascinating display of woodcraft arranged by the Worshipful Company of Turners.
My busiest week so far started on 3 November when I was privileged to join Masters from every Livery Company at the Garden of Remembrance Service at St Pauls’. In a moving ceremony, the Lord Mayor led us in the planting of crosses to commemorate the fallen. I was honoured to plant a cross on behalf of the Plumbers Company in memory of those who gave their lives so that we could enjoy the freedom we have today.
I then joined many of the Masters for lunch at Grocers Hall. The day rounded off with a Service of Thanksgiving for the out-going Lord Mayor, Alderman Alistair King, at St Stephens Walbrook.
The only fireworks for me came from the witty repartee on 5 November, as a guest at the Court Lunch of the Worshipful Company of Carpenters seated next to the Master Carpenter, Laurence Mallinson. In the evening, I was a guest of the Worshipful Company of Gardeners at their Autumn Dinner at Vintners Hall. Both events provided opportunities to meet and see their students/apprentices acknowledged and awarded. Is it time for the Plumbers to think about providing such an opportunity?
On 6 November, Ian and I attended the Horners’ Lecture at the Royal Society of Medicine. Dr Alicia Chrysostomou gave a compelling talk on the use of plastics and in particular dispelled common misunderstandings and myths, often presented as facts re recyclability.
On Friday 7 November, I joined many other Livery Masters at the Silent Ceremony where Alderwoman Dame Susan Langley was installed as the 697th Mayor, only the third woman to take the role and the first to adopt the title, Lady Mayor. This solemn service dates back more than 800 years and is a poignant reminder of preservation of our history and tradition.
It is often said that every cloud has a silver lining. I would have been walking with the Plumbers in the Lady Mayor’s Show on 8 November. However, as soon as Dame Susan heard of my ‘armless’ mishap, she kindly invited Ian and I to join her as guests in the grandstand at Mansion House. Following an enjoyable Mansion House breakfast, we had a superb view of the entire parade as it passed. We saw many friends from the Company in the parade and the crowd.
The Ladle Dinner on 11 November was the usual informal friendly event. Chaired by the outgoing Senior Steward, Assistant Kevin Thomas, I managed to serve soup one handed without spilling any, despite the reservations of our Clerk! IPM Charles Brooks provided one of his usual well-polished speeches, a fitting tribute to his time as Master.
I was privileged on 18 November to be invited to lunch with the Judges at the Old Bailey by Sheriff Alderman Robert Hughes-Penney. Judges make great dining companions and after interesting discussions over lunch with a select group of guests, I was able to sit in on one of the cases. The lady judge presiding who sat next to me at lunch was about my height. She was in full control and took no nonsense from the barristers. Clearly, she is one of those little things sent to try us! Groan!!
After attending the Annual PMWT Trustees’ Meeting on 19 November at Amberley, I travelled to London for the Lady Mayor’s Address at Mansion House where Alderwoman Dame Susan Langley set ambitious plans for the year ahead to ‘unsquare’ the square mile.
Following various committee meetings, my last event in November was on Friday 28th as a guest at the Broad Street Ward Club Civic Lunch in the Guildhall Crypt in the presence of the Sheriffs.
Sleep is in short supply as the business of the Company, new projects/planning, attending civic and other livery company events, social programme, Masters break finalisation, writing speeches and thank you notes still must be done but I am greatly enjoying the buzz of it all. Ian’s input is invaluable.
Look out for the flyer for the next social event on 22 January 2026, a tour of the Royal Opera House.