Grill That Backfisch
Spending poisson d’avril by the French Alps and now able to marry it with German Backfisch, I was also able to hone my Holmes’ skills and solve one of life’s circular mysteries before noon.
mrmainelli
What’s In A Ward?
Remarks To: The United Wards Club Professor Michael Mainelli, Guildhall, 16 March 2026 President, Past President, Past Past Presidents, Chairmen, Masters, Ward Club members, distinguished guests all:
Blow Hard – Piping The Haggis & Clearing The Pipes
Thirty-two Broad Street Ward Club members and guests attended a special whisky tasting at the Guildhall during Burn’s Week, hosted by Chairman Richard Muir with excellent tutoring from John McCheyne, Master Brand Ambassador at the Scotch Malt Whisky Society.
Admiral Of The Port? The Fleet?
As many know, I had a vicarious frisson from the ex officio post of Admiral of the Port of London which I held in 2023 and 2024 as Lord Mayor. The post is ancient and today honorific. In trying to…
Magna Charta Universitatum
This week King’s College London hosted the Anniversary of the Magna Charta Universitatum (MCU), a celebration and exploration of the fundamental values of being a university. Over 200 universities have gathered to discuss ‘What are universities for? Higher education principles,…
Broad Street Ward Mace
Today’s Lady Mayor Show reminded me to share a little history about the mace that accompanies me in the Show, in turn accompanied by the Broad Street Ward Beadle.
Of Merchants & Men – A Freewheeling Flaneuring Podcast With TimeLine London
My dear friend Dr Geoff Browell and his team, Tam McDonald, Christopher Winn, and Mark Mason, producers of the London Timeline podcast, had the courage to ask me to hold forth on an eclectic and personal view of London’s history…
Pepys Day! Part Deux
Yes, I can’t resist an obscure reference to a 1993 parody B, but fun, film, Hot Shots! Part Deux. Pepys Day! Part Deux was also enormous fun with a bit of parody thrown in too.
Pepys Day 2025: London’s Most Delightfully Diary-Obsessed Celebration Returns
[An edited version of this article appeared as “Pepys Day: Raise A Toast To London’s Best Diarist” in City AM on 2 September 2025] Friday, 5 September 2025, marks the second annual Pepys Day in London. If you missed last…
On The Road Again
Since the beginning of the year I’ve already spent five weeks abroad, three visiting family in the US and two in Asia, leading me to wonder if being Lord Mayor isn’t such a tough roadshow. Lots of fun, and just…