Anniversary Banquet -Thur 7 May 2026

The Anniversary Banquet was held on Thursday 7 May at Vintners’ Hall, courtesy of the Master Vintner and the Vintner’s Company where Christine Anderson JP, was installed as the Master of the Worshipful Company of Nurses for the coming year. She will be supported during the year by Upper Warden, Carol Law, and Middle Warden Angela Turner, who introduced the Company guests.

The Company guest was Mr Chris Bicknell, Master Architect, and the Principal Guest was Mr John Benjamin. John is Senior Warden of the Arts Scholars and is a jewellery historian, lecturer and broadcaster. He is perhaps best known to members as one of the jewellery experts from the Antiques Roadshow. Prior to proposing the toast to the Worshipful Company of Nurses John entertained members with a story from his time valuing jewellery and unearthing a hidden treasure. This treasure can be viewed in the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Two presentations were made during the evening. Firstly, Foundation Past Master Brenda Griffiths introduced Dr Christine Taylor, Liveryman and President of the Nightingale Fellowship until it closed in 2025. Dr Taylor presented the Master with an original Nightingale Badge in a framed case, as a gift to the Company. The Nightingale Badge was commissioned in 1925 by then Matron of St Thomas’ Hospital, Dame Alicia Lloyd Still. It was awarded to nurses who qualified from the Nightingale Training School, had passed a hospital examination and served for a fixed period as a junior staff nurse within the hospital to become ‘Nightingales’. Secondly during her speech, the Master presented Immediate Past Master Hilary Andrews, with a gift as a token of appreciation for her stewardship of the Company during the past year and a Certificate to commemorate her year in office.

As is the Company’s tradition we passed the Lamp after dinner symbolising the unity and friendship among us. For those present for whom this was a new experience Court Assistant Rachel Daly, provided an excellent overview of how the ceremony should be conducted.

The banquet concluded with a stirrup cup in the Court Room where members were able to end an excellent evening of fellowship and celebration before heading home.

Photographs from the evening can be viewed in the Members’ Gallery section