Double Election Day
Even as diary dates were gradually being filled and the draft for the 2025 directory was being checked, modified and checked again last November it was abundantly clear that Monday 29th September 2025 was to be by far the busiest of the year with ample opportunity for last minute changes and unforeseen difficulties arising to upset the careful planning of an exceptionally tight schedule.
And so it was that the day finally dawned. The Master arrived at the Hall at 09:15 to find the Clerk, Assistant Clerk and the Life's Kitchen’s team already industriously employed. After a short briefing, with Gown donned and Chain of Office carefully and symmetrically tied in place, the Master headed for Guildhall where he was under strict instructions to be present in the crypt by 10:00.
If there isn’t a collective noun for Masters and Prime Wardens there should be. We are a happy and chatty bunch but not always easy to organise, which rendered difficult the stewards’ task of lining us up in pairs, in order of precedence , to process across Guildhall Yard for a 10:45 service at the Church of St. Lawrence Jewry. Somehow they managed it, but only just in time!
A colourful scene we all made in the recently restored and redecorated Church. Surely Sir Christopher Wren would have approved. There was hardly time to take it all in before processing back to Guildhall, already packed with Liverymen, for the centuries old process of electing the new Lord Mayor. All procedures were carefully followed down to the very last detail and with the successful candidate, who wishes to be known as ‘Lady Mayor’ being announced an hour later; an inexplicably long time when one considers that the result was known from the outset.
To the Master’s surprise, immediate past Sheriff David Chalk gave the Founders’ Company’s Master an honourable mention in his end of year speech, a matter much commented upon both at Guildhall and later at Founders’ Hall. The Master assured those who enquired that inducements were neither offered nor sought!
With the bells ringing out gloriously as we left Guildhall the Master scurried briskly back to the Hall, not easy when wearing a long gown, in order to greet members of the seven other Livery companies who had chosen to lunch with us. The proceedings at Guildhall had taken longer than anticipated so lunch started a little later than planned. Fortunately we were to be served a cold ‘starter’.
It was an absolute joy to sit down to lunch with members of the Art Scholars, Entrepreneurs, Firefighters, Information Technologists, Scientific Instrument Makers, Tax Advisors and Water Conservators. A truly relaxed and merry lunch it proved to be.
Our Clerk, ever conscious of the forward moment of time, reminded our table of the upcoming Election Day Court Meeting which was due to start shortly at 15:30 in the Parlour above. With a degree of reluctance, those of us on Court ascended the stairs leaving our Livery friends in happy and animated conversation in the Hall beneath.
Court Meeting Agendas are always full with all business being required to finish within an hour. This one was particularly busy with the election of next year’s Master and Wardens being in addition to the normal business. The meeting finished with the swearing in of two new members, Ben Butterworth and Michael Williams, as well as the clothing in the Livery of Aran Bansal, Margaret Barnard, Martin Cansdale, Monica Draycott and Joe Manero. Surprising then that we managed to finish by 16:40. This left us just time to process, gowned and at a sedate pace, along Cloth Fair and into St. Bart’s where we were greeted by a smiling Rector, Father Marcus, and an equally smiling Dean of St. Paul’s and Honorary Freeman of our Company, The Very Reverend Andrew Tremlett.
With the theme of ‘Giving’, and after weeks of the thoughtful planning of readings, prayers, hymns and music our Election Day Service swung into action at 17:00 promptly. In today’s fractured world the theme and the sermon could not have had greater relevance whilst the music, superbly delivered by the organist and choir, was all that had been hoped for. As an added and unexpected bonus the bell ringers in our Company kindly rang the Church’s five ancient bells as we left.
Just as the Hall had been well attended for lunch so it was for our Election Day supper. Life’s Kitchen had worked wonders in clearing lunch and preparing for supper with our Hall looking as fresh and welcoming as it had done prior to lunch just a few hours earlier.
It was a particular delight for us to greet our new members and new Liverymen and to welcome all to supper, especially our preacher Andrew Tremlett.
Although it had been a long day for many, there was a distinctly happy and lively feel to the supper. In his speech the Master took the opportunity of both welcoming all and also thanking all in the Company whose assistance and kindnesses had helped him throughout his year which had just one month still to run. He concluded by wishing our newly elected Master, Simon Oliver, well before proposing a toast to our guests.
The Stirrup Cup in the Parlour drew many. As time passed convivially, little by little, members and guests made their way home. Master and Consort were the last to leave, with the Master arriving home 17 hours after having left that morning.
Busy days such as these do not just happen. Only Keith and Eloise truly know just how many hours and how much hard work went into both the planning and the execution of such a successful and trouble-free day. To them both we owe an enormous debt of gratitude.
Finally, as Samuel Pepys wrote: “And so to bed”.
Alan Hughes, The Master Founder
