Our Summer Banquet this year was held 4th July at the recently refurbished Butcher’s Hall, London. As a venue we hadn’t visited in years, it offered a fresh yet traditional setting for a special evening.

The evening began with a lively reception, giving members and guests the chance to meet and catch-up with each other and based on the hubbub of conversation there was plenty of catching up going on! We were also pleased to welcome Air Cadets from our affiliated 56 (Woolwich) Squadron, who helped to greet guests.

Before the dinner commenced the Master made a special announcement. He reminded members of the sad passing two years ago of our Honorary Liveryman, Baroness Betty Boothroyd, who had been a great supporter to the Company and had left a generous legacy to the Lightmongers Charitable Trust in her will. That legacy is to be used to fund, on an on-going basis, the new Betty Boothroyd Award scheme, to recognise outstanding achievements by young people from our Cadet Units and Schools. A Challenge Coin has been designed to present to winners of the Award and the Master was honoured to be able to present the very first of these Awards to Air Cadet Linara, for her swift action at the London Marathon when she stepped forward to assist a member of public by recognising the symptoms of a stroke following her recent Cadet first aid training course.

Presentation by the Master, Tony Ginman, of the first Betty Boothroyd Award and Challenge Coin to Cadet Linara.

Following an excellent dinner during which we were entertained with music by the Laing String Quartet, who provided us with some lovely background music. Junior Warden, Mark Giardelli, gave a lively speech of welcome to the guests and proposed the toast to The Lord Mayor and the City of London Corporation and to all the guests.

Junior Warden, Mark Giardelli, welcoming all guests and proposing the toast to City of London Corporation

We were honoured that Alderman and Sheriff Gregory Jones KC was able to join us for this important occasion in our calendar and he gave a brief speech on behalf of the City of London. He complimented the Lightmongers on the contribution they make to the City of London Livery movement and their generous support to charitable causes (particularly those linked to sensory impairment of sight and hearing) and education causes.

Alderman and Sheriff Gregory Jones KC

The Master, Tony Ginman added his welcome to all the guests, thanking everyone for attending and making it a wonderful evening. He presented to Sheriff Jones a cheque for £1000 from the Lightmongers Charitable Trust to the Lord Mayor’s Appeal “A Better City for All”, which supports a range of charities, He concluded with a brief summary of the recent Lightmongers visit to New College Worcester school for blind and visually impaired students. He highlighted the inspiring work taking place there, which we are proud to support through our Charitable Trust. He concluded by emphasizing the importance of members financial support to the Lightmongers Charitable Trust, and thanking members for that support, which enables our core work of supporting Charity and Education to continue to expand.

The Master, Tony Ginman presenting a cheque to the Lord Mayors’ Appeal

John Simpson, Serjeant of the Vestry and Head Verger of the Chapels Royal responded on behalf of the guests. He gave an entertaining speech, concluding with a toast to all the City of London Livery Companies

John Simpson making his speech

The Master closed the formal part of the evening by thanking everyone for supporting the event and invited them to join him for stirrup cup and further networking time.

A most enjoyable evening for all those attending and a great opportunity for members to entertain family, social and business guests in a unique and prestigious setting.