197. 100 Plus Club, Masters and Clerks Lunch, Worshipful Company of Information Technologists, 31 May 2024

Christine Duthie as Company Clerk and I as Master were invited to a lunch hosted by the Worshipful Company of World Traders and their Master and members of their Court at the modern Information Technologists’ Hall.  Almost all of the Livery Companies in order of precedence from 100 to 111 were represented.

Before we sat down to lunch I had several fascinating discussions with Masters, Clerks and other guests.

In a conversation with a Master who was also a magistrate I learnt more about the drug-taking culture amongst young and old, especially in relatively well-off areas of the country.  I was told that there are characteristic symptoms, smells, and mannerisms associated with taking drugs that can be observed in users across society, including well-known politicians.  I heard that because in many groups it is very socially acceptable there is a desperate lack of action in curbing this practice.  Our prohibition culture has failed us.  Drug-taking has resulted in widespread illegal activity including knife crime, gang warfare and murder.  Proposals to decriminalise and treat drug-taking are not supported, leading to many unnecessary deaths and family tragedies.

Sitting next to the Rt Hon Baroness Garden of Frognal, Past Master World Traders, I learnt much about the operation of the House of Lords, especially their work on scrutinising legislation.  She described the long hours that they and the support staff have been working, including the failure by the relevant powers to provide support and relief. Despite the large number of peers, only a proportion actually work in the House of Lords.

Past Master Sir Roger Cork, a founder member of the 100 Plus Club, gave an explanation of the history of the club.

The World Traders were granted Livery on 1 January 2000 and at a unique double ceremony at the Mansion House later that month the Water Conservators and the World Traders received their letters patent from the Lord Mayor, Alderman Clive Martin. We are 30 minutes younger than the World Traders. The Master World Trader Sir Roger Cork and Master Water Conservator Dr Ted Jackson hatched a plan to form a grouping of companies granted livery in the new millennium.  From here the custom of the modern liveries’ dinners developed, initially with the Master and Senior Warden of the respective companies.  The arrival of sufficient new companies has made the regular lunch an attractive and viable practice.

The toast to the guests was given by the Master World Mr Michael Larsen (above advising us which pub to go to and when) and the response by the Master Information Technologist Ms Kerri Mansfield. 

Noting that our Clerk was rightly on the top table, I proposed a toast to the Clerks who do so much for Masters and Companies

It was a fascinating and most enjoyable occasion.