The Worshipful Company of Information Technologists have a New Freemen's Dinner each year, at which they teach their new members about the history and background to certain City traditions and etiquette, so that they know how to avoid embarrassing themselves at future events, or if they dine with other livery companies.
In the capable hands of Master Ken Olisa, this was an evening of great entertainment as well as utility. He covered dress code, not leaving the table early, the Rose Water Ceremony, the Sung Grace, the Loyal and City toasts, and the speeches. He imagined a Bateman-type cartoon of "The guest who picked up his glass too soon in the Loyal Toast" as a warning to us all.
All livery companies need to induct new members in some way - it's not reasonable to expect people to know what to do if they haven't been told - and this was a fun and original way of achieving it.
Sunday, 16 January 2011
Thursday, 13 January 2011
"That's the way to do it" - 11th January 2011
No, this was not a Punch and Judy show, but my reaction to a beautifully organised dinner for many livery company Masters and Clerks given by the Plaisterer's Company in their wonderful hall at Number One, London Wall - what an address!
It was classic livery hospitality and set the standard that any company would be proud to follow. Look at the timing: a reception, 4 course dinner, 3 loyal toasts, 4 speeches and a musical interlude, all completed by 10.30pm. I don't want to suggest that we all sat there looking at our watches, but it undoubtedly demonstrates respect for your guests' time to give them a wonderful evening and still able to get a train home at a reasonable time.
And it was a fabulous evening, with speeches that combined serious content with entertainment and everyone singing the Grace and the National Anthem with gusto. Thank you, Plaisterers.
It was classic livery hospitality and set the standard that any company would be proud to follow. Look at the timing: a reception, 4 course dinner, 3 loyal toasts, 4 speeches and a musical interlude, all completed by 10.30pm. I don't want to suggest that we all sat there looking at our watches, but it undoubtedly demonstrates respect for your guests' time to give them a wonderful evening and still able to get a train home at a reasonable time.
And it was a fabulous evening, with speeches that combined serious content with entertainment and everyone singing the Grace and the National Anthem with gusto. Thank you, Plaisterers.
Tuesday, 11 January 2011
Thank you to the operations team - 10th January 2011
Without wishing to sound too much like a Labour politician, last night we had a reception to thank the hard-working committee members who have made so much possible during my year in office. Despite some unavoidable absences and a few last-minute cancellations for illness, forty five of us shared bubbly in the magnificent setting of the top floor of Unilever House at Victoria Embankment.
There is a Zulu word, Ubuntu, meaning, "I am who I am because of who we all are". Ubuntu is about the interconnectedness of being human and, when you have this quality, you are known for your generosity.
It is this generosity of spirit and willingness to connect with others which is characteristic of our members who volunteer for committees. And it is the activities of our committees that makes so much happen for all our members. (I am not forgetting the role of the Court members, but they had their celebration in December.)
For now, let me list the committee chairmen, to whom I owe so much:
There is a Zulu word, Ubuntu, meaning, "I am who I am because of who we all are". Ubuntu is about the interconnectedness of being human and, when you have this quality, you are known for your generosity.
It is this generosity of spirit and willingness to connect with others which is characteristic of our members who volunteer for committees. And it is the activities of our committees that makes so much happen for all our members. (I am not forgetting the role of the Court members, but they had their celebration in December.)
For now, let me list the committee chairmen, to whom I owe so much:
Awards - Sue Garland Worthington, Court Assistant
Court Nominations - David Hanger, Past Master
Events - Diane Morris, Liveryman
Fellowship - Michael Bedingfield, Court Assistant
Finance - Jim Surguy, Senior Warden
Freedom - Roddy Mullin. Junior Warden-elect
Heritage - John Freeman, Liveryman
Livery - Mike Jones, Court Assistant
Outreach - Michael Harrison, Court Assistant
PR and Communications - Peter Rees, Court Assistant
Regimental and Cadets Liaison - Steven Rowe, Liveryman
Think Tank - David Hanger, Past Master
and, while not a committee of the Marketors, the Chairman of the Marketors' Trust - Trevor Brignall, Court Assistant.
Gold & Silver Wyre Drawers do it standing up - 10th January 2011
The new Master of the Gold & Silver Wyre Drawers is installed at a Common Hall meeting (i.e. all members of the company can be present) held in Vintners' Hall. Privy Council-like, all stand for the half hour ceremony.
The Master and the newest Warden each swear the most stringent oath that I have heard: not only do they undertake to uphold the rules of the Company, defend its members from all assaults of their enemies and keep safe its assets (gold, silver, wyres and 'stuff') but they make what would now be called an ethics commitment - not to favour any person for reasons of personal gain, favouritism, friendship etc.
17th century language it may have been, but its relevance today remains unquestionable.
I was fortunate to witness how another company conducts its ceremonial as a personal guest of the outgoing Master, John Edgcumbe. The company welcomed its many guests with great warmth and kindness.
The Master and the newest Warden each swear the most stringent oath that I have heard: not only do they undertake to uphold the rules of the Company, defend its members from all assaults of their enemies and keep safe its assets (gold, silver, wyres and 'stuff') but they make what would now be called an ethics commitment - not to favour any person for reasons of personal gain, favouritism, friendship etc.
17th century language it may have been, but its relevance today remains unquestionable.
I was fortunate to witness how another company conducts its ceremonial as a personal guest of the outgoing Master, John Edgcumbe. The company welcomed its many guests with great warmth and kindness.
When did you last hear an Italian madrigal? Friday 7th January 2011
Well I bet it wasn't in an East End church, sung beautifully by the chamber choir, EXAUDI. Last Friday they gave a concert in aid of the Spitalfields Winter Music Festival and the Lord Mayor's charities. I used to sing madrigals at university, but this performance was exquisite, with each voice weaving in and out of the others like a multi-coloured skein of cottons.
Christ Church, Spitalfields, is just outside the eastern boundary of the City and was built by a pupil of Sir Christopher Wren's, Nicholas Hawksmoor. Millions of pounds were spent on the church a few years ago to remove the Victorian alterations and return the church to its beautiful, simple, elegant architecture. Not only do they hold concerts there, but there is a big outreach programme, bringing music to 30,000 each year, including some of the least-likely-to-encounter-practical-music members of the community. http://www.blogger.com/www.spitalfieldsmusic.org.uk
If you're going there, make sure you don't confuse Commercial Street with Commercial Road - I took the scenic route and only just arrived in time for the concert.
Christ Church, Spitalfields, is just outside the eastern boundary of the City and was built by a pupil of Sir Christopher Wren's, Nicholas Hawksmoor. Millions of pounds were spent on the church a few years ago to remove the Victorian alterations and return the church to its beautiful, simple, elegant architecture. Not only do they hold concerts there, but there is a big outreach programme, bringing music to 30,000 each year, including some of the least-likely-to-encounter-practical-music members of the community. http://www.blogger.com/www.spitalfieldsmusic.org.uk
If you're going there, make sure you don't confuse Commercial Street with Commercial Road - I took the scenic route and only just arrived in time for the concert.
Thursday, 6 January 2011
TheCityUK - a new organisation promoting the City
After a couple of quiet weeks, this week marks the return to 'business as usual' for the City of London and for the Marketors.
Thanks to my colleague on the Financial Services Group, Karl Davies (Arbitrators), today he and I met the Chief Executive, Chris Cummings, and the Senior Manager International, Richard Normington, of TheCityUK.
TheCityUK, is the new organisation supporting the financial and related professional services industry - effectively doing PR for the City domestically and internationally. http://www.ifsl.org.uk/who-we-are/about-thecityuk.aspx
We felt there was common ground between the Financial Services Group and TheCityUK so we wanted to meet, exchange notes and see what we could do for each other. Of course, the first step in such situations is to avoid treading on each others' toes; we were delighted to be greeted with great warmth, a spirit of co-operation, and absolutely no territorial nonsense.
We all have a shared goal - the sustainable commercial success of the City of London - and we shall continue to work together to that end.
Thanks to my colleague on the Financial Services Group, Karl Davies (Arbitrators), today he and I met the Chief Executive, Chris Cummings, and the Senior Manager International, Richard Normington, of TheCityUK.
TheCityUK, is the new organisation supporting the financial and related professional services industry - effectively doing PR for the City domestically and internationally. http://www.ifsl.org.uk/who-we-are/about-thecityuk.aspx
We felt there was common ground between the Financial Services Group and TheCityUK so we wanted to meet, exchange notes and see what we could do for each other. Of course, the first step in such situations is to avoid treading on each others' toes; we were delighted to be greeted with great warmth, a spirit of co-operation, and absolutely no territorial nonsense.
We all have a shared goal - the sustainable commercial success of the City of London - and we shall continue to work together to that end.
Welcome to 2011
"A Happy New Year to all our readers."
I always wondered whether there were more than a handful of members interested. But thanks to the new statistics service provided by blogger.com, I can now see that people have been reading the blog from Brazil, South Korea, Moldova, India, Germany, UAE, France, Slovenia and the USA, as well as from the UK - astonishing.
I am delighted to announce that my successor as Master Marketor, Jim Surguy, has decided to continue the blog after he takes over on 20th January - good news.
I always wondered whether there were more than a handful of members interested. But thanks to the new statistics service provided by blogger.com, I can now see that people have been reading the blog from Brazil, South Korea, Moldova, India, Germany, UAE, France, Slovenia and the USA, as well as from the UK - astonishing.
I am delighted to announce that my successor as Master Marketor, Jim Surguy, has decided to continue the blog after he takes over on 20th January - good news.
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