Month: October 2013

Posted on The City of London & Broad Street Ward

A Collective Of Chairmen

Broad Street Ward Club - past Chairmen - 26.09.13

[Photo courtesy of Martin Payne – click to view larger image]

Our Broad Street Ward Club Chairman, Chris Hayward, and our Secretary, Judith Rich, managed to get virtually all of the Past Chairmen of the Club to a luncheon at Guildhall on 26 September!  A great time was had by all, as you can see far too clearly on some rather jolly faces.  In order to propose a toast though, my problem was to establish the collective noun for a ‘bored of Chairmen’ who were clearly not bored at all!  Herewith my feeble attempt:

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Posted on The City of London & Broad Street Ward

Freedom First

Lui Hui 04.10.13

Yesterday I had the privilege of attending my first freedom ceremony in official garb, alongside Paul Judge, to welcome Lui Hui to the freedom of the City of London.  Lui has been a big help on City-Asia relations and it was a delight to see him again.  He brought along a wonderful set of friends to help celebrate.

Officiating, Murray D Craig, Clerk of the Chamberlain’s Court, City of London, gave yet another witty, authoritative and personal talk after the official ceremony.  Murray ranged widely and eruditely through battles and cricket (Lui’s entourage were off to the Chinese Cricket Club for a celebratory lunch), as well as connecting with kings and presidents who had taken the freedom, recognising Lui’s Macanese and Portuguese connections.

The traditional celebration, even without Portuguese connections, was served by the Beadle, a glass of Madeira, despite the 10:30am ceremony.  We toasted the health of “the youngest freeman”, well the youngest until the next swearing in about an hour later.

If you’d like to consider the freedom given a love or connection with the City, please just ask at the Chamberlain’s office.  For a bit more detail, here is Murray’s wonderful 2011 Gresham Lecture – “Sheep Across London Bridge: The Freedom of the City of London“.

 

Posted on Life As We Live It, The City of London & Broad Street Ward

First Freedom – Lui Hui

One of the great City traditions is welcoming new freemen.  Yesterday it was my privilege to welcome my first while in official attire, Lui Hui.  Lui has been a big help on UK-Asia relations and brought along a great group of friends.  Murray Craig, the Clerk of the Chamberlain’s Court, City of London, gave yet another bespoke, witty and engaging talk, with references to great battles and cricketeers (Lui and the team were off to the Chinese Cricket Club for lunch), as well as former freedoms for Portuguese kings and presidents in honour of Lui’s Macaand Portuguese connections.  We also celebrated the admission of “the youngest freemen” (well, youngest until the next one came in about an hour later) with a traditional glass of Madeira – despite it being 10:30 in the morning.  The glass of Madeira applies even when there are no Portuguese connections!

If you would like to consider the freedom, given a strong connection or love of the City, please do contact the Chamberlain’s office.  And if you want to read more, here is Murray’s wonderful 2011 Gresham lecture – Sheep Across London Bridge – The Freedom of the City of London.