Dinner to The Masters, Prime Wardens and Upper Bailiff of the Livery Companies of the City of London Thursday 14th March

Prior to 1869, the Lord Mayor only entertained the heads of the Great Twelve Livery Companies. Now an annual dinner for the Masters, Prime Wardens and Upper Bailiff is a major annual fixture in the calendar of the City Livery and presents an opportunity for the Lord Mayor to celebrate the partnership enjoyed with the Livery Companies and to return some of the hospitality shown to him over his office in office.  Held in the Egyptian Hall at Mansion House it is also a glittering and memorable event of a year of office, attended not by Master and Clerks but Master and Partners.

But first it may be worth just explaining what for most in the Livery should constitute one of those bits of City general knowledge all should know.   Most companies, just like the Marketors, have a Master. However a small and select number of companies instead have a Prime Warden:  the Basketmakers, Dyers, Fishmongers, Goldsmiths and Shipwrights.   The Upper Bailiff belongs to the Weavers –the oldest City Livery Company granted a charter by Henry II in 1155.

The music was provided by the Orchestra of the Honourable Artillery Company with many fanfares announcing various stages of the evening.  Speeches were given by the Masters of the Mercers and the Grocers, in addition to the Lord Mayor Alderman Roger Gifford.

Altogether a most enjoyable evening in which the livery companies gather as a body.