The event started with a tour of the Livery Hall before lunch. The Cutlers’ Company is one of the most ancient Liveries of the City of London dating back to the 15th Century. The Hall displays an array of swords, knives, scissors and surgical instruments representing the scope of the cutlers’ craft over the years. The collection ranges from Stone Age tools to the cutlery of today, from mass produced knives to exquisite items of gold and ivory encrusted with jewels.
After a champagne reception and lunch the Master welcomed members and guests, taking wine with the Company’s new Freeman, Mike Leeming. The Master presented the Rt. Hon.
The Lord Mayor of London with a montage of photos of our Float as a memento of last year’s Lord Mayor’s Show. The Master also handed The Lord Mayor a cheque for £15,000 towards The Lord Mayor’s Appeal – the largest donation ever given by a Livery Company. Fiona was very touched.
The event went on to award prizes to three BMF Merchants on their Diploma in Merchanting. It was a particularly special occasion with the The Rt. Hon. The Lord Mayor Alderman Fiona Woolf presenting the awards to each winner. Andrew Howard of Simpson & Allinson was awarded First Prize for exceptional success in the BMF Diploma and received a tankard and cheque for £1,000. The Second Prize of a tankard and cheque for £500 went to Paul Pennick of MKM Building Supplies, and Third Prize was awarded to Neil Graves of Builders’ Merchants Company, receiving a tankard and cheque for £300.
The Lord Mayor also presented prizes to the Best Soldier and Best Recruit of The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment and acknowledged the Company’s support for the Beckenham & Penge Sea Cadet Corps of which The Lord Mayor is Patron, The City & Guilds of London Art School and the Guildhall School of Music & Drama.
The Awards ceremony concluded with entertainment by comedian Ian Richards.
