The Company held its Annual Banquet in the magnificent Egyptian Room at Mansion House on 25 April 2019, where we were treated to a delicious three course meal along with their best wines.

The guest speaker His Honour Stephen Kramer QC was an accomplished after dinner speaker and had most of us chuckling away to his legally-biased jokes.

We were once again delighted to listen to music from the London Banqueting Ensemble, who also performed the Post Horn Gallop in such an entertaining way.  For those who have not seen it before, it is a joy to behold!

While the location is the same each year, all Banquets differ due to the Master’s influence.  In this case it was the Master Christina Parry who selected the entertainment: Lizzie Ball and James Pearson.  Lizzie, an accomplished violinist and singer, and James, a jazz pianist, brought us a number of magical tunes including some from the movies, with James demonstrating his skill by playing a number of famous tunes but in a different style.  Eastenders has never sounded so good!

Having brought the speeches forward so the evening could end with this musical masterpiece, the event really did end on a high!  It was a fantastic night which was thoroughly enjoyed by all of our members and their guests.

Keith Povey FCIS, LLB, LLM
Clerk

“The Annual Livery Banquet in the Mansion House – my first as a new Liveryman – was memorable. The arrival of my wife and I coincided with a trumpeted ‘invitation’ to guests to enter the dining room. We felt rather special.

We revelled in the magnificent surroundings of the Mansion House, toasts to royalty and grandees, the presence of suitably attired City dignitaries and the tradition of the Loving Cup as well as enjoying witty speeches, congenial dinner guests and exciting and intimate post-dinner musical items.

On time, but too soon, our carriages arrived!”  

-Liveryman David Parry

Many more positive comments have been received about the evening, including the following:

‘The meal was delicious and the musical entertainment superb.’

‘What a splendid evening you gave us last night! Excellent food and wine, great company – and so many different kinds of music from ‘Scipio’ through the Post Horn Gallop to Lizzie and her adept accompanist. I could not have enjoyed myself more.’

‘It was a wonderful evening with the food, wine and speeches excellent. I particularly enjoyed the musical entertainment. Lizzie Ball and James Pearson were truly remarkable and the Egyptian room was a wonderful setting for their talents.’

‘It was a great start to the evening to chat to some of your sea cadets – they stood so straight and tall and were clearly enjoying the experience…we were made very welcome by Liverymen and Past Masters – The only place to finish, apart from thanking Keith for excellent organisation, is to say how much I enjoyed listening to Lizzie and James – this was so different.’

‘What an absolutely fabulous evening we had last night at the Mansion House! I was bowled away…’

‘Thank you very much for your generous and warm hospitality and for the good company we both enjoyed…the night was a real Livery success’.

‘What a splendid and enjoyable occasion. I particularly loved the entertainment provided by Lizzie Ball and James Pearson, a really inspired choice. The Mansion House, and particularly the Egyptian Hall is a wonderful venue for a Livery banquet, and the catering is of exceptional quality…I was seated with very interesting dining companions, including a Liveryman…whom I discovered used to work in my Head Office.’

If you didn’t make it this year, be sure not to miss 2020!