On 11th Nov, IPM Liz Garner led a small group of Poulters in the Lord Mayor’s Show.
Representing the Poulters as part of float 17 – The Ancient Livery Companies, were the Immediate Past Master, Elizabeth Garner, her consort, Mr Martyn Buttery, The Clerk Emeritus, Julie Pearce, and Liverymen Katherine Oldridge, Ivor Cook & Chris James.
The morning started freshly, but the weather held and was dry and a very pleasant temperature for walking.
The streets were well lined with people, many scout and brownie groups lined the way for Hi-5’s.
A fabulous finger buffet lunch was provided at Carmen’s Hall, which was also a great location to be able to celebrate the new Lord Mayor as he passed in his golden coach. He spotted our banner and did call out “The Poulters” as he doffed his cap. At one point on the walk, we did hear one mother talking to her children, on reading our banner, she asked her children “do you know what poulters do?” it was lovely to hear that we were educating the young and getting people engaged in the Livery.
A great time was had by all. If you didn’t manage to attend, have a watch on iPlayer as you will see us walk past the front of the screen just after 27 minutes in.
On Monday 6th November, the annual Court & Livery dinner was held amid the 18th Century splendour of Trinity House by the Tower of London. Excellent food and wines were followed by an inspiring speech from our principal guest, Mr Roland Martin, Headmaster of the City of London Freemen’s School. Other distinguished guest included the Master Distiller and the Commanding Officer of 1st Battalion Royal Anglian Regiment. The absence of piano accompaniment did not diminish the enthusiasm with which Sung Grace was tackled and it was a particular pleasure that our Honorary Chaplain was able to join us after recuperating from his accident abroad earlier this year. Many thanks to the IPM, who despite having had a very busy day stood in for the Master on the night (ill health prevented him from attending, but he sent his best wishes and he was heartily toasted by the Company towards the end of proceedings).