Margaret Boanas, hosted her final Court lunch as Master on the 2nd September with friends, fellow Liveryman and guest speaker, Michael Fenton Stevens. Having joined us as our virtual guest on Zoom in 2020, we all knew that to host him in person would be a lunch not to miss! We were not disappointed ...
Michael Fenton Stevens is a broadcaster and actor. He had already shared his memoirs on a screen so this time we all enjoyed a plethora of anecdotes from his podcast "My Time Capsule" Having been in conversation with many celebrities and well known faces in entertainment and sport about what five things they'd like to put in a time capsule. Four things to preserve and one thing that they will never see again!
Who knew that the late John Challis (Boycie in Only Fools and Horses) auditioned for a part in The Beatles' Magical Mystery Tour Film? Unfortunately, he failed to get the role after he failed to recognise that his interviewer was Sir Paul McCartney. When asked what his favourite Beatles song was at the end of the interview, he replied that he 'preferred the Rolling Stones"!
Liveryman Nicola Chandler proposed the toast to our guests, which included the Master Girdler, Sir Thomas Crawley-Boevey Bt, the Master Master Mariner Captain Robin Batt, together with their Clerks and the Clerk to the Ironmongers’ Company who was not accompanied. WCB Corporate Partner, Cranswick plc, were thanked for their donation of the Pork fillet for the main course and the Master and her Consort were also thanked for their sponsorship of the Champagne reception.
During lunch proceedings, The Master welcomed three new Liverymen, Samantha Hovey, Alexander Gowen and Michael Robinson. The Deputy Master thanked The Master on behalf of the Livery for her exceptional service as Master, which was applauded by all with a standing ovation.
The WCB 200 Club was drawn in the Stirrup Cup when the winners were Assistant Julien Pursglove, The Providitor and Past Master Geoff Gillo.
The lucky winner of the champagne raffle was our guest speaker, he was convinced it was a fix, but with so many witnesses present it definitely wasn’t.
The Master wisely selected an entertaining speaker for her outgoing Court Lunch and without question, her year has ended on a high.
Michael concluded his address with the recollection of a quote from fellow broadcaster, Barry Cryer, who spoke about a famous Bernard Matthews advertising campaign that used a catchphrase that declared things were "Nor-folking good!" Liverymen and guests would agree that this farewell lunch could be described as anything but that!
The Gold Award 2022
Last year, the Company introduced the prestigious Gold Award. The accolade is recognition by the Court of the Company to a Liveryman that is not on the Court, who works tirelessly to support WCB activities. The Gold Award 2022 was presented to Liveryman Mike Attwood. Mike is co-opted on the Recruitment and Charities Committees, leads the Mentoring programme initiative and also devotes his time to the City Food Lecture and the Butchers and Drovers Charitable Institution. Mike’s exceptional service is exemplary and the long standing ovation he received from the Livery confirmed that this was the right choice.
