United Guilds Service – Friday 24 Mar 2023

The Company of Nurses were again extremely proud to be a part of the 2023 United Guilds Service at St Paul’s Cathedral.

The United Guilds Service dates to 1943 when, at a meeting of the Twelve Great Companies it was decided to hold a service to lift spirits in the City following the Blitz in 1940-41. The service today marks one of the few occasions in the calendar at which the Livery Companies and Guilds of the City gather together as a whole.

This year, the Company of Nurses were invited to take part in the procession and the Master, Julia Mingay joined fellow Masters in processing behind the Lord Mayor, Sheriffs, the Sword Bearer, Mace Bearer, Aldermen, their Beadles, the Masters of the Great Twelve Companies along with the Bishop of London, The Rt Revd and Rt Hon Dame Sarah Mullally DBE, herself an Honorary Freemen of the Company of Nurses.

The Upper Warden Elizabeth Bardolph, Middle Warden Jane Caery-Harris, Past Master Helen Pickstone, Honorary Clerk and fellow Freemen of the Company were seated in the very last two pews where a fabulous view of the gathering procession was enjoyed. The Very Reverend Dr. David Hoyle, Dean of Westminster gave the sermon and spoke of serving one's community.

Following the service those from the Company walked the short distance to Apothecaries’ Hall, where we had a splendid reception and lunch at the kind invitation of the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries.