Ringing The Short Change

In proper City tradition, as part of ringing the long change, we now begin easing out of office with the election of the 696th Lord Mayor, Alastair King, taking office on 7 November. Here’s my reply to the vote of thanks given to me for the year so far at Common Hall by Master World Trader, Michael Larsen.

“Fellow Aldermen, Mr Recorder, Sheriffs, Chief Commoner, Master World Trader, Masters, officers, Fellow Liverymen,

It has been an incredible honour to serve as the 695th Lord Mayor of the City of London…a place we now all term “the world’s oldest democratic worker’s and resident’s cooperative”. Thank you, Master World Trader, for your kind words. I am eternally grateful for the support of my mother livery.

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Burnham Beeches – “I’m a lumberjack…”

Burnham Beeches comprises 220 hectares (540 acres) of ancient woodland, heath, wood pasture and wetland. It is a Special Area of Conservation, a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a National Nature Reserve. Since 1879, it has been owned and maintained by the City of London Corporation as part of its portfolio of 11,000 acres of open spaces retained for public recreation and enjoyment across four counties in England. It welcomes over 600,000 visitors each year and its natural capital valued at £3.6m annually in public benefits. It operates as a registered charity, overseen by the City’s Epping Forest and Commons Committee.

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