At the May Court meeting, held on 7th May, The Court were delighted to welcome to the Livery a second Liveryman to be admitted to the Company virtually.
Lorraine Provest-Eames accepted the honour and privilege of joining The Worshipful Company of Butchers by Zoom, and was joined for the occasion by her husband Paul, together with her Proposer Liveryman Paul Willington and Seconder Warden John Allton Jones.
Following in the footsteps of Andrew Duff, the first Liveryman ever to be clothed virtually in December 2020, Lorraine had applied to join the Company in 2019, prior to the UK Lockdown in March 2020. She proceeded with her Freedom of the City of London ceremony virtually, to advance the progress of her application to the Butchers' Company, which culminated in being clothed into the Livery via Zoom.
Lorraine has worked at Sodexo as Global Category Director - Proteins since June 2020, and previously worked in purchasing roles for companies including Mitchells and Butler, Safeway and Marks & Spencer.
"I have been lucky enough in the past to be invited to Butchers' Hall as a guest of other Liverymen, but it is wonderful and a great privilege to have finally become a Liveryman myself." - Lorraine Provest-Eames
After the virtual May Court meeting had closed, The Clerk introduced our new Liveryman to members of the Court, by taking her on a tour of Zoom breakout rooms. However, nothing can beat a celebration in real life. As she quite rightly says: "Whilst my approval for Freedom of the City of London and admission to the Livery have all had to take place virtually as a consequence of these strange times, I am greatly looking forward to meeting everyone in person as soon as that is possible."
Both Lorraine and Andrew are looking forward to celebrating their new Company status with fellow Liverymen, when they both hope to join us at the Hall for the first permitted Court lunch post-Lockdown on Friday 2nd July 2021.
We look forward to raising a toast to our new Liveryman in person!
Joining the Livery
Whether as a Liveryman or Young Butcher, being a part of our historic institution, which can trace its roots for more than 1,000 years, gives very special privileges and opportunities to network and enjoy our famous fellowship.