Leading figures from the business, finance, law, education, medicine, literature, and diversity and inclusion sectors have been awarded the Freedom of the City of London during a group ceremony, hosted by Lord Mayor Professor Michael Mainelli.
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As is well-known, official City roles such as Lord Mayor and Sheriff involve a lot of dressing up, and down. Over the years, friends have realised about the only dressing up I don’t mind is putting on a Jerry Garcia tie. Yes, I am a Dead Head, a fan of the Grateful Dead, but also feel if I’m going to wear a tie I might as well like it so I have a small collection of eighteen or so. Requisite attire embraces a variety of official functions, largely in the following order of increasing formality:
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Well, tonight’s event was an honour. We say that a lot, but this evening it truly was as I was given the rank of Commendatore in the Italian Republic’s Order of Merit.
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I could start to get a bit cranky about achievement awards, but not about this one from Vietnam International Awards. While I related this true story in my speech to the judges this week:
Ah, how childhood musical infatuations return again and again. I was so excited to receive via email earlier this year a new march for the bagpipe composed by Malcolm McCaig:
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What a fantastic evening at the Guildhall! Tonight, in our special gala for LSO Discovery, the legendary Il Cannone – Niccolò Paganini’s 18th-century Guarneri del Gesù violin – was brought to life by violinist Simon Zhu, with Sir Antonio Pappano conducting. 🎻✨
We were also honoured to welcome His Majesty The King, Patron of the LSO, to share in this extraordinary moment. My opening remarks:
The HAC Light Cavalry are the bodyguards for the Lady Mayoress, while I am solidly defended by the HAC Company of Pikemen & Musketeers. The HAC Light Cavalry was originally formed in 1861, then later absorbed into the Horse Artillery element of the Honourable Artillery Company (HAC) in 1891. Today the Light Cavalry operate as a non-profit organisation offering hacks and lessons on our forward going military parade horses. You can join and support too, going riding with them or undertaking dismounted duties.
In 2021 I had the fortune of riding with the Light Cavalry round the City. But that was as Sheriff. Elisabeth has been inordinately kind to let me ride with her mounted defenders twice this year. Once with my Sheriff Bronek Masojada in May to raise money for charity, but also to inspect the unit today down at their Windsor HQ at Flemish Farm. Elisabeth and I attended the inspection in October 2021, but today I was inspecting on horseback. Small aside, Her Majesty had also done so on horseback two decades ago. And on a tearful note, perhaps my last opportunity to be astride my trusty steed, Leo.
For me it was hacking, but our City’s riding elite cut an enormously fine sight at the annual inspection. They are the only mounted unit in the world to conduct their inspection in full battle dress at a canter. True horsemen and soldiers. And excellent hosts as we dined afterwards in the marquis and swapped tales.
Romney Tweed, a Community Interest Company, was born out of a wish to promote both the Romney breed of sheep and the Romney Marsh area. I had the pleasure of driving Romneys over London Bridge in 2008 in the very first sheep drive event, organized by the Worshipful Company of World Traders.
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What a day of celebration of how we can all support our fellow human beings. The day began early, as it has now for 11 years, with a start ringing the bell at the London Stock Exchange. Here’s a glimpse of some of the events that went on:
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