The Lady Mayoress was Guest of Honour at the Worshipful Company of Butchers June Court Lunch which took place in the Painters’ Hall. Mrs Lindy Estlin complimented the Company on its charity work and praised the industry for the pathways it offers young people into apprenticeships.
Fittingly, the Proposer was Liveryman Mrs Elizabeth Baker, wife of Master Graham Baker. Mrs Baker thanked ABP for supplying the beef for the lunch and proceeded to welcome the Lady Mayoress as well as the Sheriffs consorts, Mrs Amanda Keaveny and Peter Green. She also welcomed the Master of the Worshipful Company of Leathersellers and the Prime Warden of the Worshipful Company of Saddlers who was accompanied by his clerk.
The Master welcomed and drank wine with four new Liverymen – Samantha Tinsley, Christopher Aldersley, Jon de Roeck and Jean-Pierre Garnier.
In her speech, the Lady Mayoress started by saying how pleased she was to be with the Butchers’ Company, whom she admired as one of the Livery Companies where a very high proportion of liveryman were, or had been, active in the meat trade.
She also complimented the Company on its support for the Teach First and Theodora Children’s Charity.
Mrs Estlin praised the industry for the progress that had been made with uptake in butchery standards under the Trailblazer Apprenticeship scheme, and applauded the fact there was now more positive encouragement for school leavers to pursue apprenticeships as an alternative to a university education.
In concluding, the Lady Mayoress wished the Company well upon its return to Butchers’ Hall in September and sat down to much applause after a speech in which she had thoughtfully acknowledged the work and achievements of the WCB.