Court Meeting & Lunch – 28 January 2020

Beadle Peter Thompson receiving the Freedom of the Company from the Master at the Court meeting

We met in the delightful surroundings of Innholders’ Hall for Dr Peter Rumley’s first Court meeting as our Master. But as all Liverymen know, the actual “Master of Ceremonies (MC)” for the day is the Beadle and we are privileged to have Peter Thompson as our outstanding “MC”. One significant part of the day’s “ceremonies” had been kept secret from him. At the end of the Court meeting, the Master surprised him with the Honorary Freedom of the Company in recognition of 10 year’s exceptional service to the Company. A Past President of the National Association of Toastmasters, Peter is known as one of the best, if not the best Livery Company Beadle in the City of London and we are privileged to have him look after us.

The Master “taking wine” with the Beadle and congratulating him at the Court lunch after the meeting

Prior to that the first surprise of the day had gone to Past Master Chris Sneath MBE when the Master informed him that the Court had unanimously agreed to award him the St Michael Medallion, the Company’s most prestigious and highest award, for outstanding service to the Plumbing industry.  The award will be presented at a later date to be announced.  Very many congratulations to Chris.

Past Master Chris Sneath being congratulated at the lunch on his award of the St Michael Medallion

Four new Liverymen were also admitted to the Company, supported and accompanied by their partners, who witnessed this ancient 400 year old ceremony.  We are delighted that they have joined us and look forward to their involvement over many years.

The New Liverymen with the Master (Left to Right): Edward McCourt, John Robinson, The Master, Stephen Rumley & Simon Eden

On that vein and in another celebration, the Master was also delighted to “take wine” at the lunch with Past Master John Rae, who at the equivalent meeting 60 years ago, was himself admitted to the Livery. With over 45 year’s service on the Court as well, this is another quite outstanding record of service.

Past Master John Rae “taking wine” with the Master

Our guest speaker for the day was Dr John Goodall, FSA, Architectural Editor of Country Life magazine, who gave us a fascinating insight into early plumbing projects,  one of the first recorded being the covering of the wood church roof with lead on Lindisfarne by St Finian.

Upper Warden Nick Jones, Guest Speaker Dr John Goodall, The Master & Clerk, Adrian Mumford

Finally, in a day of accolades, the lunch itself was a splendid meal, provided by the Innholders’ excellent Michelin Star chef, Herbert Berger.  Our thanks to him and Innholders’ for looking after us so well.

What a fine start to 2020!

All the photographs are provided by Michael O’Sullivan