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September 2024

The Livery world tends to follow academic terms as regards activity. After seven rather hectic weeks from installation I had much less to do for the Company from mid-July to early September, at which point things became rather busy again.

It’s Monday, it must be Farmers’ Hall.

I live close to many halls but the nearest is Farmers’ and Fletchers’ in Cloth Fair which is possibly closer horizontally than it is vertically as I live about 250 feet above street level and the hall is just the other side of Aldersgate Street. So not very far to go on Monday 9th September for the bi-annual dinner for Modern Livery Companies. These dinners are hosted in turn by upstarts like us who have only achieved livery status since 1926; the Farmers’ Company hosted this one. It is a paradox that agriculture, which started over 20,000 years ago, and therefore pre-dates the Great Twelve by millennia, is represented by a “modern” company which achieved livery status in 1953. That said, there have never been many farms in the City of London.

Needless to say, it was a delightful occasion at which I discovered that the Master Chartered Surveyor has a keen interest in Roman coins as we had an impromptu “pocket dinner” at our end of the table with him showing several examples which he happened to have in his pocket.

A week later I was back in the same hall together with the Learned and Gallant Clerk as guests of the Farmers’ Company. You cannot go far in the City of London without seeing fellow Arts Scholars; the invitation list included our own Wendy Joseph in the guise of Master Pewterer, together with Camilla Szymanowska, Clerk to the Bakers, and of course, Tony Alston (Past Master Farmer) and Mary Foster who heads the Farmers’ investment committee when she is not being our own Treasurer.

Between those two events came our own Common Hall held at Armourers’ and Brasiers’ Hall. The hall is comparatively modern dating from 1839, but it is adorned with magnificent displays of arms and armour of much more ancient pedigree. I was delighted to see such a good turnout of Freemen and Liverymen with the hall at capacity to hear Past Master John Spanner expound on the complexities of the City of London in a most informative but light-hearted way. May I echo John’s message to all Freemen: you have taken the first step by joining the company, but you should progress to the Livery as soon as you can to become properly engaged in the life of the City.

September was turning out to be something of an orgy of gluttony as on 17th September I was guest of the Society of Fine Art Auctioneers and Valuers at their biennial dinner held in the majestic setting of the Royal Thames Yacht Club overlooking Hyde Park. I was by no means the only Arts Scholar there. As you might imagine of a leading auctioneer, Liveryman Guy Schooling proved to be an accomplished Master of Ceremonies whilst Past master Tom Christopherson produced a grace that may have been inspired by William McGonagall. It was as usual a delight to see Liveryman David Needham looking ever younger in his 91st year. Is there an equivalent portrait of Dorian Gray in an attic somewhere?

I mentioned that Farmers’ Hall is near to my home, my next event was even nearer as it was a concert in the Barbican Hall which was attended by liverymen from many companies. The interval reception was generously sponsored by the Deputy Master, Graham Barker and again it was pleasing to see so many Arts Scholars had bought tickets which support the London Symphony Orchestra.

Whilst some of us were at the concert others were being shown around the state rooms of Buckingham Palace by Liveryman Richard Williams, Head of Education at the Royal Collection Trust. Shirley and I had the privilege of joining the Friday tour, conducted by Richard with his usual combination of deep scholarship and presentational freshness.

Every year the Dean of St Paul’s hosts a reception to thank those who have supported the cathedral in the past year. The reception takes places in the crypt which also contains “Artists’ Corner” where Turner, Leighton, Millais and Holman-Hunt’s ashes are buried and commemorated. They are shoulder to shoulder with artists from America and Continental Europe who made Britain their home and helped to shape national taste. If you would like to know more all you need do is buy the special guide sponsored by the Arts Scholars a couple of years ago, presented here by Withernsea, another of our many bears.

As you might expect, the Dean was fulsome in his thanks to the Arts Scholars for the splendid contribution we have made to the restoration of “The Light of the World”. The work is finished, and the picture will be rehung at the beginning of October so will be in position for the Mithras Lecture. Thank you again to so many of you for the support you have given.

Describing itself as a long-established charity event, celebrating a Freeman’s ancient “right” to bring sheep to market over the Thames, toll free, all in aid of raising funds for The Woolmen Charity and The Lord Mayor’s Appeal, this year’s Sheep Drive took place on Southwark Bridge on the last Sunday of September. I avoided the drive, which is possibly better described as a sheep shuffle, but was pleased to cheer Past Master Alan Cook, who with Deborah steered their ewes across the Thames.

As the Parish Clerk for St Bartholomew the Great I was proud to note that the only blue plaque on the route of the drive (at the north end of Southwark Bridge) was that which commemorates the company’s second hall. The third hall, which stood in Wood Street, was extensively refurbished ahead of the company’s 500th birthday in 1942. Forward planning can have its disadvantages. The work having been completed, the hall did not make it past one of the largest air riads of the war on 30th December 1940, since when, like the Arts Scholars, the Clerks have been nomads.

I spoke earlier of the part that Liverymen play in City governance. This was given practical effect on Monday 30th September when the Guildhall was packed for Common Hall at which we elected Alastair King to become Lord Mayor from 8th November. The assembled throng included many Arts Scholars whom I had the honour to pass in procession. We repaired thereafter to Founders’ Hall for a very good luncheon.

I know you will all join me in wishing the Lord Mayor every success in the ensuing year.

Roy Sully

1st October 2024


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Disclaimer: the views and opinions expressed by the author of this blog post do not necessarily reflect those of the Worshipful Company of Arts Scholars or its members.

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