Tonight, I attended the second of a series of virtual Masters 20/21 meetings via zoom designed as an opportunity to engage with the Masters from other Livery Companies as it was not possible meet up physically during the current restrictions. It also enables Masters to see how other livery companies were faring with the significant constraints imposed by the current social restrictions and exchange ideas.
On this occasion we were honoured to have The Rt Hon The Lord Mayor of the City of London, Alderman William Russell present to give a welcoming address. He spoke about a reopening campaign as the City comes out of lockdown hopefully starting with the United Guilds Service in May and culminating with a fantastic Lord Mayor’s Show in November.
The evening continued with a mixture of break-out sessions, enabling Masters to socialise, and speeches. Colonel Richard Winstanley, OBE, Clerk of the Drapers Company updated everyone on the refurbishment of Drapers Hall during the pandemic which has been closed since last March. He spoke about the measures taken to protect staff and how they had taken the opportunity to stream live concerts from the hall and promote filmed events and a virtual tour. £400k had been raised by the livery for the Livery Kitchens Initiative during the pandemic. Mark Grove of the Cook and Butler spoke about the impact of the pandemic on the hospitality sector and the urgent need to get the City working again, with Livery companies taking the lead.
It was a very friendly and informal get together but also useful in terms of keeping in touch with other livery companies during these difficult times.
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