27. Modern Liveries’ Dinner, 18 September 2023


The modern Livery Companies meet every six months and this dinner was arranged by the Honourable Company of Master Mariners at the Butchers’ Hall.  The Master Mariners are the oldest of the Modern Livery Companies.  In March 1932 they became the City of London’s 78th Livery Company, the first since 1848.  In addition to 34 modern Livery Companies there are three companies without Livery and two Guilds.   The Water Conservators were represented by the Fleet Warden Carolyn Roberts and myself as Master.

The Master of the Master Mariners gave us a history of the Master Mariners’ Company.  In 1928 King George V acknowledged the collective professional ism of the British Merchant Navy sea captains by granting the recently formed Company of Master Mariners the title “Honourable”, an exceptional rare gift, given only by Royal prerogative.

As a company we have strong connections with the Master Mariners, having used their hall HQS Wellington on many occasions, and the Master shared their exciting ideas for a replacement hall.


It was also a good occasion to catch up with other Livery Companies.  I had a long discussion over lunch with the Worshipful Company of Firefighters Upper Warden David Holt and Renter Warden Andrew Phillips (pictured) on the dramatic change in the work of Firefighters and the situations and materials they have to deal with (spot the salamander).


I shared the challenges of being a modern livery company with the Master of the Worshipful Company of Educators Janet Reynolds.  I also had valuable discussions on recruitment and consorts with other companies.  It was a most enjoyable evening.

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