Cutlers Hall is always a superb
venue for a livery dinner and my husband and I were invited by the Master
Firefighter Beryl Jeffery as principle guests, along with the Master Bowyer and
Sir Nicholas Young, Chief Executive of the British Red Cross.
We were
met at the door and hosted by the Immediate Past Master. Talking to my
fellow guest, the Master Bowyer, I was reminded that the Bowyers have the
tradition of a Master serving two years, not one. Whilst this helps with
achievement of longer term plans in providing additional continuity, it also
doubles the work involved and in a larger Company like the Marketors, this
might be a challenge if combining with full time business commitments.
St
Florian is the Patron Saint of Firefighting, as well as being the Patron Saint
of Poland. Legends abound of people who have been saved from burning after
invoking the name of St Florian. During
the Diocletianic Persecution of
Christians, reports reached Rome that Florian, a Roman Army Commander was not
enforcing the proscriptions against Christians in his territory. Aquilinus was
sent to investigate these reports. When Aquilinus ordered Florian to offer
sacrifice to the Roman gods in
accordance with Roman religion, he refused. Florian was sentenced to
be burned at the stake. Standing on the
funeral pyre, Florian challenged the Roman soldiers to light the fire, saying
"If you do, I will climb to heaven on the flames." Apprehensive of
his words, instead of burning Florian, he was executed by drowning in the Enns
River with a millstone tied around his
neck.
I last saw Sir Nicholas at the Tower of London whilst awaiting to be bailed in the “Jailed and Bailed” and we had a good conversation over dinner. He delivered an excellent toast to the guests, detailing how the
Red Cross is increasingly working in conjunction with Firefighters and
assisting with the practical immediate aftercare of those who have lost their
homes through fire. The Red Cross was recently involved in the aftermath
of the Nairobi shopping centre shootings assisting victims.
It was interesting to learn that the Fire Brigade, a uniformed body, also has an official formal mess kit for officers as their evening uniform.
Altogether an excellent well organised event which was most enjoyable in a hall abounding with elephants and tusks.
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