The Livery Newsletter and Gazette Issue 29 Summer 2018 | Page 22

The lunch was deliciously catered by Mark Grove
and his team at Cook & Butler and we cracked
along at a goodly pace. Our guests were admirably
introduced by Liveryman Fran Morrison and our
Principal Guest, Tim Wonnacott gave a generous and
very humorous reply to which I responded initially
by drenching poor Tim in a glass of water - he was
very kind about it (sorry Tim!). I was very pleased
to show off the newly found Livery Grant of Arms
and Letters Patent which have been missing for many
years - our Clerk tenaciously sought them out, and
the new Immediate Past Master, Chris Allen, and his
IPM, Mark Gower-Smith have funded a beautiful re-
presentation and they are now resplendent in frames
carved with tobacco leaves (or close to); Sandra also
located a huge banner not seen since 1985 and Angus
Menzies, Clerk to the Master Mariners and never shy
of a challenge saw to it that it was displayed on the
Quarterdeck.
The Master’s Reception
This is the last event I am responsible for during my
Master’s year. I had visited HAC as Senior Warden and
thoroughly enjoyed a presentation by the Pikemen &
Musketeers. For me, it was a no brainer to book the
HAC for the Master’s Reception.
We had over 30 members and guests from the Livery
attending and, after a drink and top up, we were
taken upstairs at Armoury House for a presentation
by Richard Jackson, the Pikemen & Musketeers’
Commanding Captain. Apparently, you can tell the
rank of a pikeman by the amount of lace he wears.
Richard wears a lot of lace. Richard also expressed his
gratitude to our Benevolent Fund which had supported
an appeal for the renewal of uniforms.
Whilst all this was going on, apparently biblical-
style downpours were being had all over London
- oblivious to all that drama we ended our lunch
and trooped back to the quarterdeck where Coffee,
Cigars, and Cognac awaited us (I did mention that
our Livery enjoyed dining on the High C’s..) and
which seemed to hit the mark – Liveryman Jemma
Freeman had kindly provided the torpedo cigars
It was
a delightful
on the history
of the our
and
had
had them presentation
placed in souvenir
tubes with
Honourable
Artillery
back sported
to Henry
Crest
emblazoned
on Company
it. Several (it of goes
us also
VIII),
the
history
of
the
Pikemen
&
Musketeers,
their
a limited edition Livery Smoking hat - originally
current role as to a provide
a guard for
the it Lord
Mayor,
conceived
sort of shooting
hat,
serves
its
their
relationship
with
HM
The
Queen,
the
history
purpose so well as a “team” hat, that of the twenty of
the house but
and one
some
of the most
valuable
real the
estate
ordered,
remained
by the
close of
day! in
the
world
and
why
lace
signifies
the
rank
of
the
Thank you to the Master Mariners for allowing wearer.
us the
use
the presentation,
venue, to Tim
being
a perfect
Principal
After of the
we for
were
treated
to a tour
Guest,
and
for
everyone
attending
and
giving
of Armoury House and an opportunity to play my
year
a special
start. helmets and pikes. The
with such
muskets,
breastplates,
remainder of the evening was spent enjoying canapés
and wine. Everyone seemed to enjoy the occasion and I
am grateful to Richard Jackson and the staff The
at HAC.
Master
Ralph Edmondson
Immediate Past Master
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