Not a tour and it’s across the river on the south bank.
A chance, however, to see some entertainment dating from medieval times on Saturday 14th May.
Details at:
Not a tour and it’s across the river on the south bank.
A chance, however, to see some entertainment dating from medieval times on Saturday 14th May.
Details at:
Vincent Keaveny
Alderman for Farringdon Within; past master of the Solicitors Company
The Lord Mayor heads up the Corporation of the City of London and also acts as ambassador for the nation’s financial and professional services.
Caroline Al-Beyerty
Simon Duckworth – Councillor, Bishopsgate Ward
In a role first introduced in 1444 the Chief Commoner (CC) is elected by the whole of the Court Of Common Council.
He or she keeps an eye on training and development of councillors and also takes the lead in Corporation hospitality.
The CC represents Common Councillors in terms of rights and privileges but also ensures integrity and good practice.
Paul Double
Alison Gowman – Alderman, Dowgate ward; Deputy Master, Plaisterers.
Nicholas Lyons – Alderman, Tower ward; member of the Merchant Taylors
The post of Sheriff is a necessary pre-requisite for becoming Lord Mayor.
Historically the sheriffs collected taxes and enforced justice.
Today the sheriffs attend the Lord Mayor at official occasions in the City and all over the world. A sheriff though, still attends the Old Bailey when a trial is in progress.
John Barradell
Richard Marks
Tim Rolph
Philip Jordan
Christmas Past – some historic titbits
Henry VIII is believed to be the first monarch to have turkey for Christmas.
The Christmas Cracker was invented by a chap called Tom Smith who set up a shop in Clerkenwell. The idea was inspired by the French sweet called the Bon-Bon. The original ones didn’t go bang though. Smith got the idea for that when he was sitting at home and heard a particularly loud crack from a log in the fireplace.
The twelve days of Xmas arise from an edict by Alfred The Great that nobody should do any non-essential work during this period.
Santa in the sky? This may derive from the story of the Norse god Odin who, at midwinter, would mount his eight legged horse and fly through the night distributing bread, trinkets and good luck to the worthy and curses to the unworthy.
Working class Victorians could not generally afford to go out and buy a goose just before Xmas. Instead they would join a Goose Club which was usually run by a local pub. They’d make payments through the autumn and have a bird for Xmas day. Most homes, though, had open fires but no oven so the goose was taken to the local baker to be cooked.
If you are going to church on the 25th and want to keep legal then leave the car at home. In 1551 Edward VI passed a law ruling that everybody had to walk to church on Xmas day. The law has never been repealed.
It was with sadness that I heard that my favourite City architect, Richard Rogers, passed away on December 18th this 2021.
In the City he was known for the Cheesegrater, Lloyds Building and number 88 Wood Street.
More at www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-59715838
Thank you to those of you who attended the Zoom presentation of the Guildhall Walk (now part of the Cornhill and Ludgate Hill walks) in February which raised over £450 for Cystic Fibrosis Supporters and also the Going to the Docks Walk (a combination of Limehouse and Wapping walks) in April which raised £369 for the Mayor Of Bromley’s charities.