At long last! Having had to hold ZOOM meetings since February 2020, the Court was able to hold a face-to-face meeting on September 30th 2021. It was a busy and productive meeting with the added pleasure of installing one new Freeman and being able to complete the installation of eleven new Freemen, who had first been installed via a virtual ceremony (courtesy of zoom!). We also had the privilege of clothing 5 members with the Livery, following them gaining their Freedom of the City of London.

During the COVID restrictions 20 new members had agreed to the innovation of being installed as Freemen via virtual ceremonies, so it was great to welcome eleven of those, who were able to attend this Court meeting, to complete the formalities of their installation as Freemen (the others will be invited to future meetings as their diaries allow). It was therefore a delight to welcome in person the following new Freemen:

Mark Abbott, Ansell Lighting; Alastair Aitken, Signify; Matthew Bullen, E.V. Bullen; Mark Ellis, Kew Electrical; John Gorse, Signify; Kevin Handling, Tungsram; Howard Lawrence, Commercial Lighting; Darren Ling, Lutron; Mark Lissauer, Franklite; Paul Reeve, ECA; Alpteknin Tanriverdi, L.B. Newham; Paul Tuscon, Low & Oliver.

New Freemen with the Master, Peter Harris, Senior Warden, Margaret Fitzsimons and the Clerk, Phill Hyde.

The Master welcomed all the new Freemen to the Company and encouraged them to progress to full membership by gaining the Freedom of the City and then applying to become Liverymen of the Company.

It was also a great pleasure for the Court to congratulate Colin George, Lutron; Ben Lincoln, Stearn; Graham Smith, HEA; Kevin Theobald, KTLD; and Adrian Willis, Recolight, on progressing to full membership by becoming Liverymen of the Company.

Our new Liverymen with the Master.

Liverymen can become more involved in the development of the Company e.g., through participating in Committees and are also eligible to vote in the annual elections for the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs of London.

The evening concluded with a convivial dinner in the historic surroundings of Tallow Chandlers Hall, where the Master gave a warm and witty after-dinner speech, and we enjoyed excellent musical entertainment.