September is generally a busy month in the City of London, and this certainly proved true for the Worshipful Company of Lightmongers when they held their first Court meeting after the Summer break.

Master Jamie Berry presided over the installation of five new Freemen, one honorary Freeman and the progression of four members to Liverymen at the Company’s 205th Court meeting held on 20th September at Tallow Chandlers’ Hall.  The meeting was followed by a lively welcome reception in the Parlour and formal dinner in the Dining Hall, at which the new members were presented to the Company.

Back Row from Left: Nico van der Merwe, Steve Ellis, Stuart Swalwell, SL Andrew Bucknell, Peter Le Manquais, Kimberley Bartlett, Donna Berry, Richard Bowman, Matt Finn, Paul Kilburn.
Current Officers Seated in Front Row: Margaret Fitzsimons, Jamie Berry, Peter McVeigh, Tony Ginman.

Squadron Leader Andrew Bucknell is a longstanding friend of the Lightmongers thanks to his long service as Commander at our affiliated Air Force Unit, 606 Royal Auxilliary AirForce Squadron, based at RAF Benson.  It was with great pleasure that we welcomed him, and his wife, Maggie, to Tallow Chandlers Hall to be installed as an honorary Liveryman.

It was also a pleasure to welcome special guest, new Master Joiner and Ceiler, John Garbutt with his Learned Clerk, Tanyia Ingham.

As part of his speech at the Court Dinner the Master welcomed the five new freemen to the company:

Nico van der Merwe, CEO UK & Ireland, Signify
Steve Ellis, Operations Manager, Cabletest
Stuart Swalwell, Managing Director, UK & Ireland, Cembre Ltd
Greg Jarvis, ICP Manager, Electrical Testing Limited
Paul Kilburn, Managing Director UK and Ireland, Zumtobel Group

He also oversaw the progression to Liveryman of:

Kimberly Bartlett, Associate Principal and Head of Lighting at Introba
Donna Berry, Director, Cabletest (Consort to the Master)
Richard Bowman, Operations and Supply Chain Manager, Holophane Europe
Peter Le Manquais, Retired

New and old members were delighted to catch up on conversation after the long break and Past Master David Rowden made the evening more special through his wonderful piano playing.

Past Masters Hugh Ogus, Patricia Brain and John Otten

Past Master David Rowden at the piano!

If you would like to find out more about becoming a member of the Lightmongers, then please contact the Clerk, Mark Houghton on clerk@lightmongers.co.uk.  He will be delighted to hear from you.