Annual Taxi Run
On 20th September Master David Wilkinson and Mistress Mandy rose very early to get to Canary Wharf and wave off the Taxis headed for this year’s Magical Taxi Tour to Disneyland Paris. This year’s run is celebrating its 30th Anniversary organised by the Worshipful Company of Hackney Carriage Drivers. Over 100 taxis in a convoy that often stretches up to five miles. The procession is escorted by the City of London Police through the UK, before being handed over to the French Gendarmerie Nationale, who guide the convoy on to Paris.
Since its inception in 1994, the MTT has organised 28 trips to Disneyland Paris, taking over 6,000 children on this unforgettable journey. Over the 30 years, black cab drivers have collectively covering approximately 19,000 miles and utilising a collective 3,000 taxis! Taking children with life-threatening conditions on a magical trip to Disneyland Paris. The Glass Sellers Charity sponsors one of the vehicles.
Annual Sheep Drive
Sunday, 29th September, the Master and Mistress attended the Woolman’s Annual Sheep Drive.
Freedom of the City of London
4th October, the Master, Prime Warden, and Clerk were delighted to attend the Chamberlains Court to witness five of our Freeman receive the Freedom of the City of London, which was followed by a luncheon in the Alderman’s Dining Room at the Guildhall Club. Congratulations were extended to Alastair Cormack, Rev. Gregory Roberts, Stuart Hakes, Peter McLain, and John Agnew.
Members Night – L’Escargot
In October, we visited L’Escargot in Soho once more for our second ‘Tales of the City.’ Stories and information about our Great City of London and Julia Sibley MBE, the current Chairman of the City Livery Committee, joined us on this occasion. The Livery Committee is a conduit between the City of London Corporation and The Livery. We were whizzing through a millennium of history explaining governance and how the City works – Privy Council, Aldermen, Elections of Sheriffs, and Lord Mayor – Traditions centuries old. Eloquently delivered, questions were thrown in to elaborate on some finer details. Refreshments helped with glasses of wine and, of course, water. Supper followed. Choices of French Onion Soup or a Petit Salad, Seared Salmon or Chicken Roti, Tarte Amadine, or Tarte Citron. In all a satisfying evening learned and satiated. Thanks were extended to Julia by the Master, David Wilkinson, and all who had attended. So it was to the night air and wend homewards.
Garden of Remembrance
4th November the Master attended the annual service at the Garden of Remembrance and planted the Company’s Cross along with other Livery Company’s.
A group of Liverymen, Freemen, and Glass Artisans gathered in the main reception hall in early November for a private viewing in the Decorative Art and Sculpture Dept at the Victoria and Albert Museum. Our host, Reino Liefkes, Senior Curator of Ceramics and Glass, was joined by three other assistants and our own Honorary Liveryman, Katharine Coleman. Lead through the vast halls and upwards to the Glass Exhibition area Reino welcomed us and gave a brief background. Then, the group was split into two. Katharine took one group parading them through the glass cabinets pointing out some of her favourite engraved glass pieces and the iconic artists whose pieces contributed to this fine collection of glass from the centuries. We were led into the studio and sat at tables at the change. Plastic gloves were provided and a ‘hands on’ on experience touching a feeling pieces of engraved glass as they were described – history and techniques used. We also were privileged to see newly acquired pieces dating back to the 17th Century. English glass engraved in Holland. This was indeed an enlightening evening. The glass artisans expressed delight at what they had learned, which was especially gratifying. A return trip is planned for 2025.
Lord Mayors Show
Glass Sellers, family, and friends gathered once again, and this has become an annual event at Stationer’s Hall for the Lord Mayors Show. Much is written about the origins and history. The principle is to celebrate the installation of the new Lord Mayor and for the City to see who it is. The installation occurred the day before in the famous ‘Silent Ceremony’ at the Guildhall. Following the parade, the Lord Mayor in the Gold State Coach travels to the Law Courts to swear his allegiance to the Sovereign.
Prime Warden James Armitage with Graham Raven carrying the Glass Sellers Flag in the Parade
The morning started with beverages and biscuits. Some then wrapped up and wandered through the alleyway to take places on Ludgate Hill to watch the parade pass. A three-mile-long procession of some 7000 people, 250 horses, and over 50 decorated floats. It takes about one hour and a quarter to pass. Returning to the Hall, long refectory tables hosted seating and a buffet luncheon. A magician entertained some, and a raffle was drawn. Mid-afternoon departures some heading home – some falling into other hostelries to enjoy the day’s merriment.
Charity Wine Tasting
A Member’s evening with a different theme. Gathering in the London Bridge Arches of Glaziers Hall, a glass of wine to cleanse the pallet from the day’s toils and seats for a challenging evening.
A Vertical Tasting. Past Master and Charity Fund Chairman Leigh Baildham had provided consecutive years of Madiran Cuvée Aimé, Domaine Pichard.
A tutored tasting lead by Independent Technical wine Consultant Finola Ryan. Six wines on the score card and it was hard to understand how different each year was considering they were the same vines and producer. Older vintages drinking differently to the younger ones. Younger ones drank better than the older ones, who still needed perhaps some more bottle age. It was indeed challenging and provoked vibrant conversations with different learning on all sides. The understating of tannins and acidity. The complexity of fruit and flavours.
Enlighted or confused we settled into a hearty supper imbibing further as the hours passed by. Charity Chairman thanked Finola and the attendees for the evening and the Master David Wilkinson thanked all for attending and for the pleasant evening. Fed and watered it was time to end the evening, some with wine-stained tasting notes, some a little woozy. An interesting and challenging evening.
Website Diary
To note that the Company Diary is now available on the website. Use the drop-down menu on the NEWS heading and then click on Diary.
New Members
The Membership Committee continues to recruit new members, and your assistance is encouraged. We will be welcoming 7 new Freeman at the Installation, and 5 Freeman will be clothed in Livery. This is a good start for the incoming New Master, James Armitage.
Assistant Beadle
We are delighted to welcome our new Assistant Beadle, Bradley Drake who joined us at his first Banquet event at Mansion House. He also represented the Company in the Lord Mayor’s Show when he paraded with the Guild of Beadles in the Beadles Robe. Beadle David Hasler trained Bradley at Cutlers Hall. You may now find him at Stationer’s Hall.
Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers of London – Clearly Connecting (Click)
