Since being entertained by the Farriers life continues to be busy.

Monday February 15^th is now an important date in the history of the Company.  It is the date of our Royal Charter and I went to the House of Lords with the Clerk to collect it!  Then that night the Mistresses and I attended the Fruiterers Annual Banquet at Plaisterers Hall.

The Fruiterers are an ancient company existing as a Mystery Fellowship or Brotherhood before 1300.  They received their first Royal Charter in 1606 from King James I and a second from King James II in 1686.  A nice juxtaposition to the Security Professionals who were granted their Royal Charter earlier in the day!

The dinner was attended by the Lord Mayor Alderman Nick Anstee and his Sheriffs together with various Ambassadors, His Eminence Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor and Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope the First Sea Lord, General Sir David Richards the Chief of the General Staff and Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Kennedy.  A glittering occasion!

Then on Shrove Tuesday, it was the Livery pancake race around the yard at Guildhall.  Security Professionals participated in all the races.  The going was good to soft and despite winning various heats we were disqualified by technical faults.  The Apprentice ran an outstanding personal best time!  This was definitely not about winning but taking part!

On February 18^th, we held our second Founders Service at St Peter ad Vincula the Tower of London.

Henry VIII’s Chapel looked beautiful in the dimming and crisp February light.  Queens of England rest here including Anne Boleyn, Catherine Howard and Lady Jane Grey.

At the start of the service, we admitted 3 Honorary Liverymen to the Worshipful Company.  The Constable of the Tower General Sir Richard Dannatt, Sir David Lewis and Alderman Michael Bear.

Brigadier Eddie Forster-Knight was then admitted as a Freeman of the Company with all due ceremony.

Our Chaplin the Rev Roger Hall then led Evensong with beautiful music from the Chapel Choir and rousing hymns including Eternal Father Strong to Save which has particular relevance to our many public service and military connections.

At the end of the service, we retired to Watermen’s Hall where all enjoyed a tremendous fork supper of fish pie and cottage pie with lashings of quaffable white and red wine.  I was grateful for the sponsorship of Control Risks!

This Founders evening is very symbolic for the Company.  We remember our Founders and Past Masters and particularly those members of the Company who are no longer with us.

Well done to the Clerk for getting us into the Telegraph Court Circular the next day with a fitting report on our Founders Day.