The City Returning to Life
As lockdown restrictions ease the City has started to come back to life. The Master was invited to St Paul’s Cathedral for a service of Reflection and Hope. Masters of the Livery were invited along with those who had contributed to the pandemic including many frontline staff. Freeman Deirdre Barr was invited in her role as St John’s Regional lead and the address was given by the Bishop of London and Honorary Freeman of the Company of Nurses, Sarah Mullaly. The Master joined fellow Masters at Apothecaries’ Hall to walk to the Cathedral and was very honoured to represent the Company at this special event. A very moving testimony was given by Dr Will Ricketts, a Consultant Chest Physician at Bart’s Health which provided a stark reminder of the horrors for those on the front line at the height of the pandemic.
In the evening the Master was invited to a dinner as a guest of the Master of the Worshipful Company of Barbers at the Barber-Surgeons’ Hall and enjoyed the company of Masters and Clerks from other Companies. Despite the Covid restrictions of six to a table and no mingling amongst guests, it was a very enjoyable evening.
On Thursday 24th June Common Hall was held where Alderman Alison Gowman and Alderman Nicholas Lyons were formally elected to the office of Sheriff for the year ensuing. Several lunches took place following the ceremony and the Master was invited to join the Master of the Chartered Accountants for lunch at Guildhall. The current Sheriffs were there and the Master took the opportunity of having a photo taken with our Freeman Alex Hayward, Consort to her husband Chris.