The Liveryman
Review 2020-2021
Civic Luncheon at Carpenters’ Hall in the presence of HRH The Princess Royal
The Liveryman Review 2020-2021
Council 2020-2021
Officers and Clerk
• President: Nicholas Somers FRICS (Ret)
• Senior Vice-President:
Shailendra Umradia BSc (Hons)
• Junior Vice-President: Sheriff Chris Hayward CC
• Hon. Secretary: Keith Bottomley CC
• Hon. Treasurer: Simon Bentley FCCA
• Hon. Solicitor: Robert Bond BA (Law), FSALS, CCEP
• Clerk: Steven Wilson FRSA FIoD FIED
• Assistant Clerk & Acting Clerk
(wef 1st Aug 2021): Debbie Johnson
Past Presidents with Voting Rights
• John MacCabe ACII
• Ald. John Garbutt KFO JP FRSA FCSI FRGS BSc Econ
• Paul Herbage MBE KStJ
• Dr Trevor Brignall PhD DBA MA MBA DMS DipM CIOM
• Adèle Thorpe FCIS
Elected Members of Council
• Alan Cook CStJ
• Ald. Emma Edhem
• Julie Fox
• Tony Lofts
• Kerri Mansfield
• Iain Meek Dip Arch RIBA
• Stephen Osborne
• Colin Sach
• Barrie Stewart
• Nicholas Woolf OBE KStJ
Postholders
• Almoner:
Caroline Walsh BSc(Hons) MA MSc FRGS FRSA FHEA
• Archivist: Margot Mouat BSc FRSA
• Examiner of Accounts:
Graham Lovelock FNZICA B.Com ICAEW
• Sections Liaison Officer: Shai Umradia BSc (Hons)
• Publications Editor: Mike Wicksteed
L to R Acting Clerk: Debbie Johnson - Hon. Secretary: Keith Bottomley - Senior Vice-President: Shailendra Umradia - President: Nic Somers -
Junior Vice-President: Sheriff Chris Hayward - Hon. Solicitor: Robert Bond - Hon Treasurer: Simon Bentley
City Livery Club
Contents
PRESIDENT’S REVIEW................................................................................................2
President’s diary 2020-2021...........................................................................................4
Incoming President’s Agenda....................................................................................6
List of Officers and Council 2021-2022..............................................................7
THE PRINCE PHILIP, DUKE OF EDINBURGH...............................8
EVENT REVIEWS
AGM & Installation Cocktails – 4th November.......................................10
Christmas Lunch – 3 December...........................................................................11
Wine & Cheese – 27 January...................................................................................13
A Blitz Walk – 25 February..........................................................................................14
An Evening with Johnson Beharry VC – 15 April...................................15
Gin Tasting – 20 May.......................................................................................................16
Salmon Tasting – 17 June.............................................................................................17
Clay Pigeon Shoot – 24 June....................................................................................18
Civic Luncheon – 7 July................................................................................................19
Crown & Sword – 29 July.............................................................................................23
Jailed & Bailed – 6 September................................................................................25
ROOT & BRANCH AWARDS
HRH The Princess Royal presented with
the Root & Branch Award...........................................................................................26
CITY FACE2FACE
Alderman and Sheriff Michael Mainelli........................................................28
THE BENEVOLENT FUND
Supporting Charity –
how can you help the City Livery Club play its part?........................29
THE SECTIONS
AeroSpace Section...........................................................................................................30
History & Antiques Society.......................................................................................32
Golf Society...........................................................................................................................32
Motoring Section...............................................................................................................34
Music Society.......................................................................................................................35
Photo Section........................................................................................................................36
Wine Circle.............................................................................................................................38
Women in The Livery.....................................................................................................39
MATTERS OF INTEREST
Ald. Alison Gowman – Sheriff of the City of London.......................40
Our Almoner – Pandemic volunteer................................................................41
Lord Mayor’s Race Night – 2 September.......................................................42
Inter-Livery Shooting – 24 September............................................................43
Art Scholars’ Double Celebration!....................................................................44
MEMBERS
In Memoriam.........................................................................................................................44
Long-standing members.............................................................................................44
Bill Ballantyne........................................................................................................................45
NEW JOINERS................................................................................................................. 45
THE CLUB & ITS FACILITIES
Club Opening Hours.....................................................................................................46
Membership...........................................................................................................................47
Subscriptions.........................................................................................................................48
Reciprocal Clubs................................................................................................................49
The Liveryman Review 2020-2021
President’s Review
An Extraordinary Year
It’s been an extraordinary year but by us all pulling
together, we have ‘virtually’ made it. We have a strong and
viable club in excellent new premises that can go from
strength to strength.
On behalf of the CLC Council, I first want to extend our
sympathy to any member who has suffered loss or hardship
this year from the pandemic, or other causes. As a Club we
felt the loss of HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh,
our well-loved Honorary Member and a letter of condolence
was sent to the Royal Family on behalf of all members.
Thank goodness for Zoom and online shopping. How would
we have coped without them? Zooming around the country
enabled us to keep in touch and be entertained and Amazon
enabled Anne, my wife and Consort, to carry on shopping
without putting a step outside our apartment!
In early 2020 we put together what we thought was going
to be a most interesting programme of events for my year.
Unfortunately, the majority came to nothing.
A quick re-think and we were soon happily arranging virtual
events with social meetings, our Christmas party, lectures
and talks on numerous subjects, walks around the City,
a woodturning demonstration, and of course the tasting
of worldwide wines, UK and European cheeses, gins and
smoked salmon.
My first event, the AGM and the Election dinner, both
planned to be held at Drapers’ Hall, had to be cancelled and
moved online. After the well-attended AGM on Zoom, we
hosted a virtual and very successful cocktail party with lots
of Zoomy mingling.
It is difficult to mention all the events during the year, but
I think the one that will last long in our memories was our
virtual Christmas Party. Anne arranged for bespoke hampers
to be sent to all attendees. Each contained Christmas
crackers, enough food for three courses including smoked
salmon, cold meats and venison pate (or vegetarian
substitutes), chutney, stilton & biscuits, white wine, port and
mince pies. During lunch, we had some community carol
The President‘s address on the occasion of HRH The Princess Royal’s attendance at the Civic Luncheon
City Livery Club
singing, a team quiz and concluded with (what I think must
be a first on Zoom), a game of Bingo. The event was a sell-out
with over 170 participants. From the numerous emails and
letters we received, everyone seemed to have thoroughly
enjoyed themselves.
It was appropriate that the first ‘real’ event I attended was
the Lord Mayor’s Service of Reflection and Hope at St Paul’s
on 22nd June. The Masters of the Livery Companies and
associated Clubs were invited to robe-up at Apothecaries’
Hall from where we processed, wearing our masks, along
the empty streets to St Paul’s. It was an unusual experience
to sit, spaced out in such a large area, which in normal times
would be filled cheek by jowl. We were not allowed to sing
(my near neighbours will have been grateful for that!) so sat
in silence listening to the wonderful voices of the Cathedral
Choir. A moving address was given by the Bishop of London.
The highlight of the year must be the Club’s Civic Luncheon
held in Carpenters’ Hall on 7th July when HRH The Princess
Royal, our Honorary Member, graciously attended to receive
the Club’s 2020 Root and Branch Lifetime Achievement
Award. Our Patron the Lord Mayor William Russell and
JVP Sheriff Christopher Hayward were also in attendance.
Although we had to be restricted in the number of invitees,
it was a memorable joyous occasion with many previous
winners of the Award present, and the opportunity for Her
Royal Highness to talk to them all. Our thanks go to the
Master Carpenter for the use of his Hall and their Clerk and
his staff for their huge involvement in all the arrangements.
The planned June outing to the annual ‘Beating Retreat’ in
Horse Guards Parade was cancelled, however, it was later
replaced with a Military musical spectacular ‘The Sword
President Nic Somers and his Consort Anne
The President on Horse Guards
and the Crown’. Before the event, a group of 30 members
enjoyed wine and canapes at the National Liberal Club, one
of our new ‘Reciprocals’.
In September it was great fun to be part of the annual ’Jailed
& Bailed’ to raise money for the British Red Cross, a detailed
account of which can be read on Page 25. Later that month I
hosted a Sunday lunch for members on a River Thames Jazz
Cruise.
Since the end of July, we have witnessed the Livery world
enjoying a renaissance with more halls opening their doors.
While we still have work to do on the top floor of our new
premises at 42 Crutched Friars, which we share with the
City University Club (CUC), the dining rooms and bar are
regularly being filled thanks to the delicious food being
served under the watchful eye of CUC Secretary, Hasita.
Finally, I must thank all members of the Council for the
support they have shown me throughout the year. Special
thanks to our Acting Clerk, Debbie Johnson, who quickly
stepped up when our previous new Clerk left the Club in
August. Similar thanks to all the members of the Executive
for their sage advice and guidance and of course my huge
thanks to my darling Consort, who has been a constant
support throughout this turbulent year. I wish Shai Umradia
all the very best for his Presidential year in the ‘real’ world.
Nicholas Somers, President 2020-2021
The Liveryman Review 2020-2021
President’s diary 2020 to 2021
2020
November
4
CLC: Virtual AGM and installation
- by Zoom
CLC: President’s virtual cocktail party
- by Zoom
5 SECOND NATIONAL COVID
LOCKDOWN BEGINS
Horners’ Company 23rd Ralph Anderson
Memorial lecture - by Zoom
6
Marketors’ Company 10th anniversary
Royal Charter celebration - by Zoom
8
Remembrance Sunday
9
Treloar’s virtual Student Concert
- by Zoom
13 Silent Ceremony - cancelled
14 Lord Mayor’s Show - cancelled
18 Glaziers’ Company webinar on Pugin
and Tiffany - by Zoom
19 Coachmakers’ Company:
60 minutes conversation with
Sheriff Christopher Hayward CC
- by Zoom
24 CLC: Wine Circle tasting:
Wines of the Rhône - by Zoom
25 The Lord Mayor‘s address to the Livery
- by Zoom
27 CLC: Face2Face with Alderman
Sheriff Michael Mainelli - by Zoom
December
3
CLC: virtual Christmas party with hampers
- by Zoom
14 Inaugural meeting of 2020-2021
“The Unmutable‘s” Masters Association
- by Zoom
2021
January
6 THIRD NATIONAL COVID
LOCKDOWN BEGINS
15 Gardeners’ Company: the Art of Garden
and Plant Photography Masterclass
- by Zoom
18 Basketmakers’ Company virtual
Livery Dinner - by Zoom
21 Cripplegate Ward Club:
Sheriff Christopher Hayward CC
interviewed by Judy Tayler-Smith
- by Zoom
27 Castle Baynard Ward Club:
talk by Paul Herbage MBE KStJ -
History of St John Ambulance - by Zoom
28 CLC: Wine Circle:
Wine and Cheese tasting - by Zoom
February
15 CLC: Wine Circle:
20th anniversary tasting with wines
supplied by Julian White - by Zoom
25 CLC: Virtual City walk:
“The Blitzed City” with Blue Badge
guide Sue King - by Zoom
March
1 City: Face2Face talk by Alderman and
High Sheriff John Garbutt on his role as
High Sheriff of Greater London - by Zoom
17 Lord Mayor’s Big Curry lunch, Pol Roger
Champagne tasting with sample bottles
- by Zoom
25 Architects’ Company webinar discussion
“Artist, Art, Consultant and Architect:
different perspectives”- by Zoom
25 Lord Mayor’s Big Curry Lunch and
Wine Tasting with sample bottles of
St Emilion & Pomerol wines - by Zoom
City Livery Club
April
13 Clockmakers’ Company:
Lecture combining the concept of time
with the language of painting - by Zoom
14 Educators’ Company Lecture:
“The walls have ears:
bugging the Nazis in WW2” - by Zoom
15 CLC: Talk and Q&A - by Colour Sergeant
Johnson Beharry, VC COG - by Zoom
19 Educators’ Company Zoom webinar with
Lord Williams of Oystermouth
(the former Archbishop of Canterbury,
Rowan Williams) - “Educating for the
future: in Faith or Anxiety“
May
4
CLC: Wine Circle Paired Port & Cheese
tasting with samples - by Zoom
17 CLC: new Club premises opens for
lunches for first time since lock-down
17 Chartered Accountants:
Livery Charity Conference - by Zoom
21 Lord Mayor’s Big Curry Lunch
on-line auction
26 Wheelwrights’ Company webinar by
Jonathan Drori CBE:
“Around the World in 80 Trees” - by Zoom
June
9 CLC: live woodturning demonstration by
Les Thorne RPT, Turner Liveryman
- by Zoom
10 Beating Retreat - cancelled
11/13 Livery Companies’ visit to
Ironbridge - cancelled
15 Fletchers’ Company webinar marking the
640th Anniversary of the Peasants’ Revolt
of 1381, introduced by Alderman
Michael Mainelli - by Zoom
17 CLC: Smoked Salmon tasting -
by Lance Foreman with seven different
samples - by Zoom
18/19 The ‘Becket Pageant’,
Guildhall Yard - cancelled
22 FIRST REAL EVENT SINCE
LOCKDOWN -
The Lord Mayor’s Service of Reflection
and Hope in St Paul’s Cathedral
23 CLC team in Inter-Livery Clay Pigeon
Shoot, Holland & Holland
24 Election of Alderman Michael Mainelli and
Christopher Hayward as Sheriffs, Guildhall
July
7
CLC: Civic Luncheon at Carpenters’ Hall,
in the presence of HRH The Princess Royal
& the Rt. Hon. The Lord Mayor,
Alderman William Russell
13 Joiners’ and Ceilers’ Company 350th
Anniversary Exhibition,
Guildhall Art Gallery
19 MAJORITY OF COVID
RESTRICTIONS LIFTED
IN ENGLAND
20 CLC: Champagne & Canape Reception at
the National Liberal Club followed by a
Military Musical Spectacular,
“The Sword & the Crown”,
Horse Guards Parade
23 Furniture Makers’ Company
“Sylva Foundation” visit,
Long Witten, Oxfordshire
August
1/31 On Holiday
Insert title
The Liveryman Review 2020-2021
Incoming President’s Agenda
It will be a great honour to be the President of the City
Livery Club and I shall do my best to live up to the high
standards set by my predecessors. I shall also do my best
to ensure an enjoyable time in fellowship and charity with
you all.
My theme for the year will be grounded in the Club’s
founding principles of fellowship and charity.
The Club’s executive team looks forward to your support
and energy to continue ‘Growing, Giving and Gaining’ and
creating strong fellowship in the Club.
I should like to pay tribute to my predecessor, President Nic
Somers, and his wife and Consort, Anne. At the beginning
of his year Nic said he wanted to leave the Club in at least as
good condition as he found it. He more than succeeded: the
Club is in sound financial order with a growing membership.
A great feat during a global pandemic.
Our relationship with the City and Civic teams is a key part
of what we are about. We shall continue to support the Lord
Mayor and Sheriffs in their activities, appeals and uniting the
Livery.
I am sure that the launch of a new Club website in the New
Year will aid members and Sections and lead to increased
membership and engagement.
Senior Vice-President Shai Umradia
and his Consort Sobhna
Incoming President’s Agenda
September
6 ‘Jailed & Bailed’,
Old Bailey & Tower of London
7
Glasgow in London Dinner,
Plaisterers’ Hall
8
The Doggett’s Coat & Badge Race,
River Thames ‘Périgord Dinner’ with
City University Club, 42 Crutched Friars
13 Modern Companies’ Dinner, Butchers’ Hall
16 Dinner at Old Bailey with
Sheriff Christopher and Mrs Hayward
17 Thanksgiving Service for Capt. Guy
Brocklebank RN, Southwark Cathedral
The Sheriffs’ Ball, Guildhall
20 Sheriff-elect Nicholas Lyons’ Shrieval
Chain & Badge Presentation
CLC: Motoring Section Luncheon,
Guildhall
23 Sheriff-elect Alderman Alison Gowman’s
Shrieval Chain & Badge Presentation,
Plaisterers’ Hall
24 First Arts Scholars’ Company
Fish & Chip Lunch at 42 Crutched Friars
21 Lord Mayor’s Reception for the
Big Curry Lunch participants
26 CLC:
Sunday Lunch Jazz Cruise on the Thames
29 The Lord Mayor’s Election, Guildhall
October
4
Plumbers’ Company 36th Annual Lecture -
“The Royal Plumbing & Early Water
Engineering” at the Royal College of
Physicians
6
First Unmutables’ 2021 Master’s Luncheon,
HQS Wellington
13 The Deacon Convener’s Dinner,
Trades Hall, Glasgow
15 CLC: Group visit to Turners’ Company
‘Wizardry in Wood’ Exhibition
29 United Wards Club Founders’ Day Dinner,
Vintners’ Hall
November
3 CLC: AGM & Installation Dinner
City Livery Club
Events
Fellowship will enable us to get to know each other
in formal, informal and friendly settings, including
events at 42 Crutched Friars. My programme of events
will follow in the Club’s traditions. Two events are
already confirmed:
1) The Christmas Lunch to be held a Fishmongers
Hall on 2nd December 2021.
2) A Burns’ Night event on 24th January 2022 in
conjunction with the St George’s Society (City of
London Branch) and the Aldgate Ward Club.
They will be followed throughout the year by a range
of other functions such as the quarterly Face2Face
Lunches and trips to a series of interesting venues.
I’m planning a Civic function at Mansion House (date
to be announced).
Officers and Clerk
• President: Shailendra Umradia BSc (Hons)
• Senior Vice-President: Christopher Hayward CC
• Junior Vice-President: Alan Cook CStJ
• Hon. Secretary: Keith Bottomley CC
• Hon. Solicitor: Robert Bond BA (Law), FSALS, CCEP
• Hon. Treasurer: Simon Bentley FCCA
• Acting Clerk: Debbie Johnson
Past Presidents with Voting Rights
• Ald. John Garbutt KFO JP FRSA FCSI FRGS BSc Econ
• Paul Herbage MBE KStJ
• Dr Trevor Brignall PhD DBA MA MBA DMS DipM CIOM
• Adèle Thorpe FCIS
• Nic Somers FRICS (Immediate Past President)
Elected Members of Council
• Anjola Adeniyi Dip IoD
• Ald. Prof. Emma Edhem
• Dan Heath
Charity
Fellowship also encourages good working links with
Charity, the second part of my theme. The charities I
will be supporting during my year in office are:
Lifelites – giving children a chance to escape the
confines of their disabilities through technology.
Nishkam SWAT – feeding and providing health care
to the homeless in London.
The Club’s Benevolent Fund – supporting
charitable causes associated with the City.
Being part of the Livery movement, and our City
Livery Club in particular, is a joy and privilege.
Sobhna and I very much look forward to seeing you
at many events during my year of office. Keep a sharp
eye out for the Clerk’s Newsletter!
Shailendra (Shai) K Umradia, President 2021-2022
• Tony Lofts
• Kerri Mansfield
• Iain Meek Dip Arch RIBA
• Stephen Osborne
• Colin Sach
• Barrie Stewart
• Nicholas Woolf OBE KStJ
Appointment Holders
• Honorary Chaplain 2021-2022:
The Revd. Canon Roger Hall MBE
Postholders
• Almoner:
Caroline Walsh BSc(Hons) MA MSc FRGS FRSA FHEA
• Archivist: Margot Mouat BSc FRSA
• Examiner of Accounts:
Graham Lovelock FNZICA B.Com ICAEW
• Publications Editor: Mike Wicksteed
Patron
The Rt. Hon. The Lord Mayor
Honorary Member
HRH The Princess Royal
HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh KG KT
The Duke agreed to be an Honorary Member in 1948
and was welcomed into the Club on 22nd October. The
occasion was a luncheon at Grocers’ Hall attended by
more than 300 men (yes, men) who were Liveryman and
Club Members. In the 1948 writeup of the lunch in The
Liveryman, the Duke was reported as saying:
“You will excuse me if I say that something at least has
been made clear to me today. And it is that, after a lunch
like this, I understand why you call yourselves the Livery
Club……
“I looked at your magazine for last year and I noticied
that various guests of yours had their words of wisdom
enshrined in that publication for all time; I can assure
you that it will be a complete waste of time to enshrine
mine.”
How wrong he was; he went on to note:
“I know I am not very well versed at the moment in City
matters, but I am aware there are numbers of Livery
Companies, and would like to take this opportunity to
explain why it is that I have only accepted membership
of the Fishmongers and the Shipwrights.
1999- HRH With CLC President A. Ivan Nellist
HRH signature 1999
1948 - with the Hon. Secretary and Past President A. Stanley Bell CC
signing the Golden Book of Honour
Sadly, on 9th April 2021, the Club lost one of its
longest serving members, HRH Prince Philip, Duke of
Edinburgh. The President, Nic Somers, wrote to Her
Majesty to record the Club’s condolences on the death
of her husband.
The Liveryman Review 2020-2021
HRH signature 2016
27th October 2016
2016 Installation Dinner for President John Garbutt - sharing a joke
with the Clerk, Liz Wicksteed
2016 - the Duke is presented with a copy of ‘One Hundred not out’
“It is really because I feel I can take an interest in these
two companies – they are connected to the sea – whereas
if I accepted many more, and I would very much like to
do so, it would be both a physical difficulty on my part
to take in them all the interest that I would like to do.
And equally, it would be very irritating to the Companies
concerned if I kept having to say ‘I am sorry I cannot turn
up because I have got to do something else.’”
He ended his speech:
“Gentlemen, that is all I have to say except – this may not
strike you as very funny – that just before coming out to
lunch today I was asked by my wife where I was going,
and I said I was going to the City Livery Club; so she said
‘Oh! Am I a Liveryman?’ and I replied, ‘No, I am sorry that
you are not; you are only a livery woman.’”
His wife’s response was not recorded.
During his long association with the Club, the Duke
also attended dinners on 12th October 1999 and more
recently President Ald. John Garbett’s Installation Dinner
on 27th October 2016, the latter being one of his last
public engagements.
Mike Wicksteed
City Livery Club
The Liveryman Review 2020-2021
10
awarded, and, with the reassurance of several rehearsals,
it all went smoothly.
Ahead of the installation we had distributed the robes
and regalia, and spouses and loved ones were designated
the role of robing and badging the newly appointed
officers. For the first time, due to the constraints of
fixed web-cams, all had to be robed and badged while
remaining seated!
After the successful AGM we all took a short break to
disrobe, and at 7pm we re-opened the Zoom again for
the President’s Virtual Cocktail Party.
Events
AGM & Installation Cocktails – 4th November 2020
Oh boy - there we were again!
The eve of yet another lockdown.
None of us could ever have anticipated the roller
coaster ride of the year nor the ever-continuing
impact of the pandemic.
During the early autumn it became clear that our plan
to host the AGM and Installation Dinner at Drapers’
Hall was not going to happen, and we would have to
change tack and move online.
We were determined to replicate our normal events
as best we could in the “virtual” environment, which
meant hours of painstaking work revising all the
plans drawn up for movements in a room, to ensure
we spotlighted the right people at the right time in
a Zoom AGM.
Rather than even attempt to replicate the formal
celebratory dinner, we decided to follow the AGM
with a more social “President’s Cocktail Party” in
which members and their guests could mingle and
enjoy each other’s company online.
We engaged the services of a professional Zoom
provider to ensure that the appropriate individuals
were highlighted as they gave their reports. The
normal business of the AGM was conducted
seamlessly: reports read, thanks given, scrolls
Senior Vice President, Shai Umradia and his wife Sobhna
Past President John MacCabe
The President and his Consort Anne
Rather than even attempt to replicate
the formal celebratory dinner, we
decided to follow the AGM with a
more social “President’s Cocktail
Party” in which members and their
guests could mingle and enjoy each
other’s company online.
Thanks to outgoing Hon. Secretary, Jane Platt
Video Meeting
City Livery Club
Invitations had been sent out to invite members and guests
to bring along their favourite drinks and nibbles, and we had
even included the recipe for the new President’s favourite
Champagne Cocktail, should any guests like to practise
mixology!
Ably compered by our Master of Ceremonies, Dan Heath,
we were brought to order and then started the event with a
short address from the President to welcome everyone and
to introduce the Principal Guest for the evening, Charles
(better known as Charlie) Williams, Chairman of the City
University Club. Charlie gave us a fascinating insight into the
history of the City University Club and welcomed the CLC to
our new home at 42 Crutched Friars.
The 150+ guests were then separated into breakout rooms
where they could mingle and chat in suitably sized groups,
much as you might at a real-world event. The President and I,
by the miracle of Zoom, were able to move around from one
room to another and thus meet all the guests present for a
brief introductory chat.
We were then brought back together for the traditional CLC
toasts before moving to new breakout sessions in different
groups…with the President again Zooming around between
them all.
Despite all the obstacles put in our way, we did manage
to celebrate in true CLC style, with one advantage - at the
end of the night there was no hanging around waiting for
transport to take us home!
Anne Somers
11
On Thursday 3rd December we witnessed another first
for the City Livery Club - 180 members and friends came
together to enjoy an excellent virtual Christmas lunch.
Our President Nic Somers and his wife Anne had planned to
hold a traditional lunch in one of the beautiful Livery Halls,
but sadly the Government had other ideas, locking us down
and preventing us from getting together in person.
Undeterred, they were determined that, although we could
not meet physically to share good food, fellowship and fun,
to do the next best thing – have excellent food hampers,
wine and port delivered for us to enjoy in the safety of our
own homes together with on-line entertainment.
Following a welcome from our President the Chaplain,
David Parrott, began our Christmas lunch with Grace before
we enjoyed our first and second courses in breakout rooms.
Included in our hampers were luxury Christmas crackers,
so paper hats donned, cracker jokes and trivia questions
shared.
We then embarked upon our CLC Community Carol Sing-
along. The carols were streamed by video with words
displayed on the screen so everyone could join in if they
wished, resulting in a cacophony with only the shy and
nervous opting to keep their microphones on mute. It was
certainly different!
Christmas Lunch
– 3rd December 2020
Virtual attendees
The President demonstrates Christmas hamper contents
We were then brought back together for
the traditional CLC toasts before moving to
new breakout sessions in different groups…
with the President again Zooming around
between them all.
The Liveryman Review 2020-2021
12
It was good fun and bottles of champagne generously
donated by the President were presented to those lucky
people calling ‘house’ first. At the end of the formal event,
we all then moved into our third and final breakout rooms
to continue to chat together and finish off our port and
cheese.
It had been hoped that guests from The Charterhouse
would be able to join us for our lunch, but the logistical
arrangements proved too challenging. Instead, we raised
a glass to them all and the President generously donated
sixteen hampers for them to share and enjoy together.
I think it would be fair to say we have all greatly missed the
opportunity to meet and socialise in person, but there are
distinct advantages about online gatherings - there were no
arguments about who would be on soft drinks as they had
to drive home, or hurrying to catch the last train - just coin-
tossing as to who would draw the short straw and have to do
the washing up!
Many congratulations to everyone involved in staging an
excellent event which was enjoyed by one and all.
Julie Fox
Moving into the second breakout room, everyone enjoyed
a quiz set by the President who was an excellent question
master. You had to be very organised and disciplined in your
rooms as there were 25 questions to be answered in only 30
minutes!
The third course saw everyone coming back together to
enjoy a game - or three - of bingo which the President had
asked if I would host and become the Club’s newly appointed
‘Bingo Elf’ – a first for me! I have to say that the most testing
aspect of online bingo was not trying to remember all the
bingo calls and keeping track of the numbers drawn, but the
challenges presented by the drum.
Loading all the balls and turning the handle to spin them
resulted not only in the selection of one ball but the random
distribution of a large number of the remaining balls all
around the room. Trials with different spin speeds and
approaches produced the same result and, as my husband
Mark decided that he did not want to spend the entire
time on the floor under the table recovering balls for me,
we opted to dispense with the drum and adopt a different
approach. This proved more successful and less taxing for
the ‘Bingo Elf’s’ glamorous (bearded) assistant”.
A virtual Beadle - Dan Heath
Virtual array of members
Events
Judy Tayler-Smith comes up trumps
Discover France Virtual Tasting – 27th January 2021
Members, it is my delight to report on the ‘Love Cheese
and Wine Virtual Experience’ arranged by the City Livery
Club.
I have visited most parts of France over the past 45 years, in
and on various modes of transport - cycle, motorbike, car,
caravan and camper van - and experienced and enjoyed
French cuisine in its different forms with sometimes magical
presentations.
On reading the circular from the Clerk, I was interested
to explore ‘Discover France Virtual Tasting’ which offered
five different kinds of cheese with an accompanying
recommended wine for each. I have in my loft library (in a
cardboard box!) a book on 300 French cheeses of which I
have tried at least 30.
Having signed up to take part, I waited with anticipation for
the five selected bottles and cheeses, and upon their arrival,
although tempted, I did not dip into either before the event.
The evening arrived and I logged onto Zoom with my
cheeses in front of me, together with the red and dessert
wine, at room temperature and the white wine having just
been removed from the chiller.
It was a pleasure to see so many members of the Club and
those I had not met personally for many months.
The presentation was hosted by Harry Baines of Love Cheese
based in York (www.lovecheese.co.uk). It started with an
introduction to an enjoyable journey and experiences for the
palate. Mr Baines’ knowledge was considerable and his soft,
almost warm Brie-like, approach made for an entertaining
and memorable evening.
The cheeses ranged from Brie - a smooth Tommette de
Brebis, Beaufort - known in the time of the Romans, a creamy
Fourme d’Ambert and a beautifully smooth and buttery St.
Maure de Touraine.
Across the Zoom meeting comments could be heard from
the attendees: “I like this one” – “This wine definitely goes
with this cheese” – “Can I order a couple of bottles of this
dessert wine?” – “This cheese is so creamy and tasty” – “I
never thought I would enjoy the goat’s cheese as much as
this” – “The wines do complement each cheese”.
In conclusion, there were congratulations to Harry Baines
on the quality of the cheese and wine and how he had
presented the event.
It also brought back, for me, memories of fun and the
occasional glass of wine with excellent cheeses in France.
Fred Bain
The Liveryman Review 2020-2021
14
On 25th February we had a most interesting Zoom talk
– a virtual walk - given by Sue Cook a Blue Badge Guide.
The title was The Blitzed City and I cannot imagine any of the
70 members who attended not being glued to their screens.
Sue introduced us to fascinating facts such as the sign
where the first bombs were dropped, how certain buildings
survived and, strangest of all, how ruins from earlier
civilisations were uncovered.
Unfortunately, there were very sad details about the number
of people killed in the City. Tube stations were used as bomb
shelters and they looked horrific with awful or no facilities:
it is hard to believe people lived in these conditions from
September 1940 to May 1941. Mansion House Station was
used as a shelter and in January 1941 it was hit causing 56
people to be killed and 69 seriously injured.
Some people were lucky to have a garden and built shelters
in them. There was a very strange shelter built with bricks
above ground but this was not a very successful design.
Following Sue’s presentation, members told us of their
recollections which added to the wartime reality.
On a personal note, I found this Zoom event really
fascinating. My grandfather, who was the chief engineer at
Union Cold Storage, was trapped at work in Cousins Lane
(between St Paul’s and the Thames) for several days. A great
uncle was based at Euston Fire Station and fought the fires
in the City.
Although my uncle, Geoff Thomas, has been mentioned in
an earlier article I have to mention that he was also part of
the regeneration of the City.
Elaine Clack
The Blitzed City: a virtual walk - 25th February 2021
St Pauls
Surrey Docks 1941
Events
First Bomb
City Livery Club
15
An Evening with Johnson Beharry VC COG –
15th April 2021
“From the moment you receive your Victoria Cross
from The Queen your life will never be the same again.”
These words, remembered by Colour Sergeant Johnson
Beharry, were spoken by a fellow member of the most
exclusive club in the world: living holders of the British
Armed Forces’ highest award ‘for Valour in the presence of
the enemy.’
On the 15th April ‘JB,’ as he is known in the military, spoke to
members via Zoom of his remarkable life.
Born in Grenada, he left a troubled and challenging
childhood to travel to the UK at the age of 19. While working
as a painter decorator and living with his aunt, JB fell into
gang culture, selling drugs before renouncing crime and
joining the British Army but only after three rejections.
Johnson told us of the incidences in Iraq in 2004 where
having saved members of his unit, 1st Battalion Princess of
Wales’s Royal Regiment, from one ambush he repeatedly
risked his life during another ambush a month later, this
time sustaining life-threatening head wounds.
Events which led to the presentation of the Victoria Cross by
Her Majesty on 27th April 2005.
Medevaced back to the UK by the RAF, Johnson underwent
brain surgery losing 40% of his brain and having titanium
plates inserted in his skull. During his rehabilitation, he
spoke of his efforts to see better support for ex-servicemen
and women suffering from mental health problems.
Still serving in the Army, Colour Sergeant Beharry set up
the JBVC Foundation in 2014. The foundation aims to keep
young people aged between 15 and 25 off the streets and to
support them out of gang violence.
Anyone who has experienced military service will
understand Johnson’s sense of belonging to a wider family.
In those intense moments of action on the streets of Iraq
Johnson acted to save the lives of his fellow soldiers, his
immediate family. Not once or twice but repeated times -
under fire and despite being seriously wounded.
I’m sure we all wonder what we would do faced with the
same decisions, to act or not? Life-changing moments
sometimes come when we least expect them. And when they
do, having the courage to act is something we recognise and
for JB resulted in his receiving the Victoria Cross.
However, sometimes public recognition comes with the
added burden of responsibility and obligations.
Who would have begrudged Johnson a peaceful life back
within the ‘family’ of the Army? Instead, he has used the
extraordinary opportunities offered to him to promote his
vision to help and support young people caught up in the
violence of gang culture so prevalent in our City and many
others up and down the country.
To quote Johnson: “We see young gang members in prison
three months before they are released. We try to give them
direction, sort their CVs out, provide some form of ID, get
them job placements, give them support. Hopefully, I can
help save others from gangs. I’m the living proof you can
turn your life around.”
For more information about the JBVC Foundation visit:
www.jbvc-foundation.org.uk or read his autobiography
Barefoot Soldier.
The evening concluded with questions and answers and a
vote of thanks by the President Nic Somers for a thought-
provoking evening and an entertaining talk.
Phil McCarthy
Johnson Beharry VC
The Liveryman Review 2020-2021
16
A Virtual Gin Tasting – 20th May 2021
At 7pm about 40 members sat by their computers with
a selection of small bottles of Pinkster gin and some tonic
waters ready for a virtual gin tasting. We had been told what
else we would need, such as ice, an orange and several
glasses.
We were introduced to Stephen Marsh the founder of the
Pinkster company. While working as an accountant, he
had been told he had to stop drinking wine and whisky for
health reasons. So he started experimenting with gin which
is predominantly flavoured with juniper, and various fruits
and other botanicals.
With raspberries, he created pink gin and Pinkster became
and still is the only company using fresh wet fruit. Triple
Juniper, their driest gin, has five botanicals and although
40% proof, does not cause burning which is the sign of a
good gin. We first smelt, then tasted, added ice, then Fever-
Tree tonic water - the only one made with cane sugar - and
finally a twist of orange peel. Delicious!
We moved onto Pinkster gin, 37.5% proof, which has
raspberries and two other botanicals and followed the same
procedure, except this time we added a slice of orange and
some cloves. There was no pepper aftertaste with this unlike
the first one and we learned that pepper is from the same
genus as juniper. This can be added to martinis.
Our third bottle was the Pinkster Royale which was 24%
proof. Sweeter, it was served with ice and can be added to
prosecco. After which we rescued the pre-mixed Pinkster
Gimlet from our fridges. Stephen demonstrated how it was
mixed: we tasted it with lime and fizzy water. By now we had
understood the ethos behind the company and moved on
to the liqueur which was made with wild bullace berries
and quince which again we tasted with ice and orange peel.
This takes nine months in tanks and can be made into a long
drink; it’s recommended for puddings and cheese.
We had moved from dry to sweet with various additions to
the gin but there was one last product in our box - jam made
in the autumn from the “boozy raspberries” remaining over
from the production of the pink gin.
Judging by the expressions on everyone’s faces and the
applause we had all had a lovely evening and, in thanking
Stephen, our President said that it was the best Zoom talk
all year.
A most enjoyable evening and we learned so much.
Rosemary Guest
Gin tasting ensemble
Stephen Marsh the founder of the Pinkster company
Former Clerk, Liz Wicksteed,
enters into the spirit of the occasion
Events
With raspberries, he created pink gin
and Pinkster became and still is the only
company using fresh wet fruit. Triple
Juniper, their driest gin, has five botanicals
and although 40% proof, does not cause
burning which is the sign of a good gin.
City Livery Club
17
Forman’s Salmon has been producing smoked salmon
in the East End since 1905.
We were originally due to visit its site, a stone’s throw from
the Olympic Park, for a private tour in June 2020. The tour had
sold out months ahead, so we were particularly disappointed
to have to cancel it after the pandemic intervened. It was
therefore a particular pleasure when we learnt that they
were offering a virtual tasting session (with real salmon!).
The Zoom event finally went ahead on 17th June 2021,
and the expectations raised during the year’s delay were
exceeded by the event.
Smoked Salmon Tasting – 17th June 2021
Since its founding in 1905, Forman’s has
always been a family firm and was soon
supplying smoked salmon to Fortnum
and Mason, Harrods and Selfridges, as
well as top restaurants. Their London
Cure has recently become the only
smoked salmon in the world with
protected name status, up there with
Champagne and Wensleydale Cheese.
Once the packs arrived and we worked our way through the
samples, we could taste why!
The tasting session was conducted by Lance Forman. Before
taking over the 4th generation salmon smoking family
business, Lance started as President of the Cambridge Union
and qualified as a chartered accountant at Price Waterhouse.
Since joining Forman’s in 1994, he has developed the
business, pioneering the growth in speciality British food.
The salmon is all Scottish and so ultra-fresh on arrival. The
smoking is done by grinding solid oak logs, giving a purity
and delicacy of flavour to the end product.
The samples we tried included both the lean and the fatty
versions of London Cure. Opinions differed as to which
was tastier: both were delicious. The Gin & Tonic Smoked
Salmon was unusual and appetising, and was used by British
Airways throughout its fleet during the 2012 Olympic Games:
definitely a gold medal winner! The dill gravadlax and the
beetroot gravadlax were also most enjoyable. A personal
favourite was the Royal Fillet, with its subtle flavours and
delicate texture.
All present ended up very well-informed on the smoked
salmon process, and with new taste experiences. Formans
kindly gave attendees a discount at their online shop, I am
sure there must have been a noticeable spike in sales over
the next few days. (There certainly was a salmon spike in the
Wicksteed household. Ed.)
It was a memorable experience and whetted the appetite for
a real-world visit at some future point.
Liz Wicksteed
President and his Consort, Anne
Forman’s CEO Lance Forman
Just part of the audience
The Liveryman Review 2020-2021
18
Events
Inter-Livery Charity Clay Shoot – 23rd June 2021
This Charity event began in 1993 and has now grown
to host 114 teams of four spread over two days, taking place
at the Holland and Holland grounds in Northwood.
For the first time, the City Livery Club entered a team led by
the President, Nic Somers, with his son Charlie, Dan Ellis, a
member of the City University Club, and me.
We came 58th, scoring 198 out of 400 but, needless to say,
the event was won by the Gunmakers with 326. The lowest
score was 103 so we met our target of being somewhere in
the middle.
Each of us shot 80 clays over ten stands. As a team, we shot
an 80-clay flush. This was a hectic few minutes when we
loosened off as many cartridges as could be loaded for us,
ending up with hot barrels and the score being established
by the number of clays escaping unscathed. We scored a
creditable 55 hits.
A great day was had by all, notwithstanding Covid
restrictions. Our temperatures were taken on arrival before
we were directed to some outside locations for coffee and
bacon rolls. We made our way around the stands ending up
with an excellent picnic lunch taken in gazebos again spread
about the grounds.
Photo © Richard Washbrooke Photography
I hope we can enter a team next year and I am sure several
CLC members would like to participate. You don’t have to
be an expert shot. One nameless individual scored just one
and I am sure he had as much fun as the top shot with 75.
Tony Lofts
The CLC team - The President, his son Charlie Somers,
Tony Lofts & Dan Ellis.