May
Buckingham Palace Garden Party
Friday 8th
When the expensive cream-coloured cream envelope drops through your letter box with the King’s cypher on it and the postmark ‘Buckingham Palace’ it is both a sobering and exciting moment.
A kindergarten memory of singing ‘they’re changing guards at Buckingham Palace’ drops into my mind. Wow, we are off to the Palace. Right, I must get everything ready, correct and in place.
A quick call to the Gallant Clerk about which coloured waistcoat to wear with my morning suit – grey or black. Russ puts me straight, black for the City, but as you are outside the City, it is grey. Phew, I have one of those.
The Presumptive 2025-26 Masters’ WhatsApp Group ‘lights up’ who is going when? There are 2 dates, and the Livery Masters are split between the 2.
Then I get an invite to the Boodles Club for lunch, courtesy of the Master Broderer James, prior to the afternoon Garden Party. I graciously accept his kind invitation, ‘we can walk from there to the Palace’ afterwards.
There are quite a few of us for lunch with our Consorts, my daughter Bryony is accompanying me to the Palace. When I asked her there was not a moment’s hesitation.
Our lunch party consisted of the Broderers; Mercers; International Bankers; Drapers; Farriers; Pewters; Clothworkers and the Framework Knitters.
It was an exquisite lunch, with 16 of us around a single oval table, in a private room. We were all excited by our visit to the Palace and conversation was lively, and the wine flowed.
Our host, Master Broderer James even gave us a rendition of The Master Broderer’s Song, which we all joined in with gusto for the chorus.
Then the Master International Banker on behalf of us guests gave a multilingual vote of thanks in English, French, and German (he can also speak Mandarin Chinese too!) – show off! He also did a hilarious impersonation of the current President of the United States to boot.
Suitably wonderfully wined and dined, the best dressed group of people exited Boodles and walked down St James’s Street to The Mall. Right turn past the crowded front entrance at the side of the Palace, we made our way down to the less crowded, and lesser-known 2nd entrance at the end of Constitution Hill, by the Wellington Monument. The ‘back gate’. Everyone is easy to spot who are attending the Garden Party, it is like 8,000 people attending the ‘poshest’ wedding you have ever been to. There is a proliferation of wonderful ladies’ hats and fascinators. Extremely smart military and civil unforms, and morning suits galore.
We made our way in, mandatory photo ID and X-ray machines, plus very heavily armed Police, making us realise this was something special.
By entering at the ‘Garden Gate’, we made our way around the lake and through some of the best kept gardens in the world, to the rear lawns where the tea tents were. It was wonderful to be part of the Livery, as we knew many fellow Masters, and it was lovely to meet up in such stunning surroundings.
We saw the Lady Mayor speaking to some other guests, so as she is our ‘Boss’ we photo bombed her (of course). The people she was talking too were opened mouthed in surprise as about 20 Masters and Consorts, all wearing our badges and finery, gathered behind the Lady Mayor. She turned around and just said ‘Oh, it’s you lot!’ and laughed. We then took loads of photos with her. Plus, many other attendees did, not really knowing who this group were – but we looked important!
We spoke with some of the staff to get the ‘low-down’ on what happens. There is a royal trumpet fanfare, to announce the Royal party leaving the back of Bucking Palace onto the lawns. They, and the guests, are all choreographed by various gentlemen wearing morning suits and top hats. Guests who have been chosen to meet Royalty are lined up. It is little like a mix between a sophisticated ballet, and Phil Drabble’s One Man and his Dog, as guests are rounded up, stood in line, and others kept out of the way.
Bryony and I walked up to the back of a 5-deep crowd and were able to catch glimpses of the Prince and Princess of Wales (Kate is quite simply stunning), Zara Tindle, who has the effortless inter-personal skills of her mother, was with them. After we had taken photos with our arms high in the air over the crowd, we turned around and walked a few steps away, only for one of the equerries in his top hat to stop me and ask about the Framework Knitters badge I was wearing. He had a number of note cards in his hand and was trying to round up the chosen guests for the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Edward and Sophie, who we hadn’t realised were only 10m away from us. He asked if we were due to meet the Duke and Duchess, and though I was sorely tempted to say yes, honesty prevailed, and we went our separate ways wishing each other a ‘great day’. The Duke passed by us speaking to various guests, only a few arms lengths away from us. He smiled at us, and I duly bowed my head. He is also a great communicator. Interestingly, there were several large, fit men, holding umbrellas behind the Duke and Duchess. They are dressed in morning suits but are ever watchful. No one gets to go behind the Royals, and these guys’ umbrellas ‘guide’ people away if they venture too close. Effortless security, but greatly reassuring.
As the Royals made their way slowly to the Royal Pavillion tent, it takes them about 1½ hours to cover the 100m or so, we made our way to the long tea tent. Serving counters run the length of the tent, offering tea, finger sandwiches and tiny cakes. These were wonderful as too were the little tubs of ice cream also on offer. Then as smoothly as you would expect, it was over, and we were politely asked to make our way to the exits. We retuned to the ‘back gate’ though the gardens. Various Livery Masters ‘dropped a pin’ on their phones, to show they had actually been in the gardens of Buckingham Palace. We exited onto Hyde Park and the magic was over. Much like Dorothy, we’d been to Oz, and were back in Kansas again – the wonderful, magnificent day was over.
Master’s Tea Party
Wednesday 6th
Built in 1813 by the Compton Brothers to mill flour for the surrounding villages, the Wymondham Windmill, at Wymondham near Melton Mowbray.
The windmill continued until the 1960s to mill flour and then fell into disrepair.
In the late 70s and into the 80s the dilapidation of the windmill was stopped and restoration began. Its future was saved.
Then in 2016 a full restoration began concluding in 2017, when the mill began to mill flour again, but now as part of a wonderful visitor attraction featuring boutique shops, a children’s play area and a woodland trial, but most of all an award-winning tearoom, which is a very popular venue for our residents to enjoy The Master’s Tea Party.
18 Cottage Homes residents and 10 Committee members enjoyed a Vintage Afternoon Tea, consisting of a selection of freshly prepared finger sandwiches, and a variety of homemade cakes and pastries, with various types of teas.
Everyone had a great time and the hubbub of conversations was lovely to hear.
Having always admired the Chair of the Residents Entertainments Committee, Michael Griffith’s ‘Old bloke from Oadby’ T-shirt, Michael kindly presented me with my very own T-shirt emblazoned with ‘Top Framework Knutter’ on it. Many thanks Michael.
Sadly, after a few hours we had to draw the Tea Party to an end, but Josh the owner, brought out some containers so that any unfinished sandwiches and cakes could be taken home and enjoyed later on – nothing went to waste.
Many thanks to Nettie for organising the event and sorting out the transport to and from the Cottage Homes.
April 2026
Treloar’s Gala Dinner
Friday 24th
As Frankie Valli proclaims on one of his hit songs sings ‘Oh what a night’, The Treloar’s Gala Dinner did not disappoint.
Guildhall was bedecked in green with lights, table decorations and visual projections all reflecting the theme of the evening – The Emerald City.
I was joined by a contingent of 12 fellow Framework Knitters for this 20th Anniversary Dinner all in aid of the Treloar’s School and College which provides a fully supportive environment where physically disabled young people take control of their lives and achieve their aspirations.
To mark the 20th Anniversary the Gala Dinner moved to Guildhall, and the Great Hall was illuminated in green, and looked every part of the Emerald City in the Land of Oz.
We kicked off with a heads & tails competition for a bottle of champagne, and then followed some auctions, one of which, Howard Morris, husband of FWK Gaby, generously outbid all competition to win a High Tea for 4 at The Ritz.
Searcy’s Events provided a wonderful Emerald City inspired menu. From the ‘Tin Man’s Heart’ starter to the indulgent ‘Ruby Slipper’ dessert, every detail was thoughtfully designed to complement the evening’s theme.
Several video presentations were made by Treloar’s describing the marvellous work they do for disabled children and young people. Various students and their families described what Treloar’s is doing and has done for them, transforming their lives and giving them their independence and confidence to take on life now, and in the future.
Treloar’s is named after, and founded in 1907 by, Lord Mayor Sir William Purdie Treloar, as ‘a hospital and college to care for, treat, and educate children with physical disabilities, particularly tuberculosis of the bones and joints’. It is a registered charity and bespoke placement fees are funded by Local Authorities.
The live and silent auctions continued offering some great prizes and activities. There was a Treloar’s Quiz, and a raffle.
The atmosphere was brilliant, which helped to loosen purse strings to support the wonderful work done by Treloar’s.
You will be pleased to know that the FWKs donated some of our ‘Knit for Community’ patchwork square blankets for the auction, and these raised over £500 for Treloar’s.
The evening concluded in spectacular style with an iconic ‘Back to the 80s’ DJ set from Martin Kemp (of 80s iconic band Spandau Ballet). With a packed dance floor, singalong classics and glowing neon lights, guests embraced the celebration wholeheartedly. Your Master, under instructions from Nettie Ellis our Cottage Homes Manager, who I think had a soft spot for Mr Kemp during the 80s, shook Mr Kemp’s hand during his DJ set. Even the Lady Mayor was ‘boogie-ing’.
You will see in the photo that your Master, shy and retiring as ever, can be spotted to the right of Mr Kemp.
Over £30,000 was raised on the night for Treloar’s. It was a wonderful event, which I fully enjoyed in the company of fellow FWKs, and one that I will definitely look to attend and support next year.
The Honourable Company of Air Pilots The Sir Alan Cobham Lecture – ‘In the slipstream of Alcock and Brown’
Wednesday 22nd
I arrived early as planned with our Gallant Clerk so we could have a ‘bite to eat’ beforehand.
I was on my mobile taking a business call when Russ tapped me on the shoulder and said ‘Afternoon Master’.
I quickly finished the call and then experienced Wing Commander Russ in his natural habitat – the RAF Club.
‘Coat here JP, bag there, right down to the pub’, he whisked me through the Reception and Cloakroom and we went into The Running Horse, which is basically a pub in the basement of the Club. You could be in any pub within the provinces, but here we were in central London.
A very tasty curry and a few pints of Spitfire Amber Ale (of course, AND I was wearing my Big Curry Lunch Spitfire Socks to boot!), and we left to register our attendance with the Air Pilots in preparation for the lecture.
Captain Rob Evans, a commercial airline pilot and a highly respected member of the Honourable Company of Air Pilots. Rob is known for his passion and interest in aviation history. His lecture was entitled "In the Slipstream of Alcock and Brown," honouring the iconic 1919 non-stop transatlantic flight made by Captain John Alcock and Lieutenant Arthur Brown.
In the Sovereign’s Room at the RAF Club, a fitting venue, Rob gave a superb lecture with many photos and details of their 1919 non-stop transatlantic flight from St. John’s Newfoundland, to Clifden, Co. Galway, Ireland, in a modified WW1 Vickers Vimy bomber. Although Charles Lindberg in his ‘Spirit of St Louis’ aircraft seems to have captured the mantle as most famous initial crossing of the Atlantic, even he said on landing in Paris ‘Alcock and Brown showed me the way’.
Although Master Elizabeth was unwell and could not attend we were welcomed on behalf of the Air Pilots by IPM John Denyer. I gave John a framed photograph I had previously promised Elizabeth of a Helicopter road warning sign that is by the Nottingham Heliport on the A46 Fosse Road near Widmerpool, Nottingham. She had not been aware of these road signs, so I took a photo, with the FWK Crest suitable added of course – see photo attached.
Many thanks to the Air Pilots for their wonderful hospitality and a most interesting lecture. Something that being part of the Livery, is great to attend.
The Worshipful Company of Broderers Company Guest Dinner
Monday 20th
This was my first official external event representing the Framework Knitters as Master.
Mercer’s Hall is one of those hidden gems, just off Cheapside in Ironmonger Lane. The shop frontages on Cheapside are owned by Mercers and the Hall is behind and above these. As with many London Halls the Great Fire of 1666 completely gutted the Hall, and although work started virtually immediately the first Court meeting since the Great Fire was on 4th May 1676.
The Livery Dining Hall has mahogany-panelled walls, with a circular stained-glass window at one end, and a minstrel gallery at the other. The impressive plasterwork ceiling is an unusual variation of the classic barrel vault – more like an upturned bowl than a traditional keg (see photos).
At the receiving line was Master James Neil and Warden Cris Tarrant – both gentlemen I have known for a while through my Presumptive Masters Group. James has a little over 1 month left before Cris takes over. So, Cris and I will be virtually sharing the next year in office, together. The Renter Warden was ex-Lord Mayor Alaistair King, who I reminded that he awarded the Best Dressed competitor at the 2025 Pancake Race to a certain ‘Sir Knit-A-Lot’, aka the new Master Framework Knitter.
It was a lovely 4-course dinner. The main course of ’21-day aged beef fillet, ox tail croquet, Dauphinoise potato, French beans, baby vegetables, Port jus’ was delicious. A soprano and tenor from the Guildhall School of Music sang ‘songs from the musicals’, using the wonderful acoustics of the dining hall.
Then came the moment we were all looking forward to, or not for music lovers, The Master’s Song. It is tradition that the Master Broderer sings this song, solo. Poor Master James, who has a voice more suited to the shower, than the stage, which he freely admits, he took a large gulp of red wine, and started. Fortunately, each of the 4 verses is followed by the same chorus, which we all greatly enjoyed singing with gusto. So as James struggled through the verses, he would be saved at the end of each with all the diners joining in with the chorus like a Gilbert and Sullivan cast.
An excellent evening drew to a close with a stirrup cup. Understandably the Mercers’ Hall staff want us all to vacate the Hall in good time, so we were shown the wonderful exit via the Giant Staircase, passing a stained-glass image of King Richard II who awarded them a Royal Charter in 1394. Then we were out into Ironmonger Lane, which runs off Cheapside. Incidentally, this entrance was created to improve the shop frontages on Cheapside (one of the main market areas). In fact, the original 17th century frontispiece to the entrance on Cheapside was moved to Swanage, in Dorset. If you go to look at the entrance to Swanage Town Hall you will be looking at the original Cheapside entrance to the 17th century Mercers’ Hall.
CITY WALKING TOUR
Saturday 18th
19 of us congregated at Barber-Surgeons’ Hall at 10:30am the morning after the Installation Dinner, to meet our expert guide Susannah Cohen from Square Mile Secrets.
Susannah then took us through a tour of some of the lesser-known spots that we normally pass by, unnoticed. We started at the side of the original city walls next to Plaisterers’ Hall.
We proceeded by Pewters’ Hall and Wax Chandlers’ Hall, and learnt about Sir Thomas Gresham, who Gresham Street is named after. He was a prominent 16th-century Tudor merchant, financier, and advisor to Queen Elizabeth I.
He founded the Royal Exchange in 1565, crucial to London's development as a major global financial hub. Some say the watch brand Wilsdorf and Davis, founded in 1905 in London by Hans Wilsdorf with his future brother-in-law Alfred Davis, used the Royal Exchange as inspiration for a Global Brand Name that everyone could understand = ROLEX.
It was lovely to be able to speak with fellow Liverymen and guests as we wandered from point to point in the City.
Susannah had even researched Samuel Morley of Nottingham-based hosiery manufacturer I & R Morley, who opened a London-based Sales Office and Warehouse in the City in the 1840s. He was way ahead of his time. By the 1880s I & R Morley employed over 10,000 workers in the East Midlands and were one of the largest hosiery factories in the World at that time.
On the dot of 12 noon, Susannah concluded the tour at Temple Bar, telling us of its nomadic life, and how the severed heads of notorious villains were coated in tar and then impaled on spikes, that adorned the top of Temple Bar as a warning to those wishing to enter the City.
As is usual for Framework Knitters, we adjourned to Ye Olde London pub on Ludgate Hill for a spot of lunch, to conclude, convivially, a gentle morning’s stroll in lovely company.
INSTALLATION DINNER
Friday 17th
From being a support act in my years as Under and then Upper Warden, suddenly I’m in the main role.
Russ and Peter Thompson (Toastmaster) constantly check I’m dressed correctly, in the right spot, ready to do the next task etc. It’s a bit like being a dog at Crufts!
The dressing of the Master, so I am correctly wearing my chain of office is at least a 3-person job.
Then Phil our photographer leaps into action, Master, family, guests, Wardens, etc. it is a whirl of turn this way, now that way, no not under that light.
A glass of wine is kindly offered and drunk, then we are being called to the Receiving Line, and the evening is under way.
It was wonderful to greet so many Liverymen and guests who I know, and their warmth and congratulations was truly moving.
We processed into dinner – a wonderful Great Hall, dominated by the huge Holbein portrait of Henry VIII, commissioned by the King himself, to mark the joining together of the Barbers and the Surgeons in 1540.
Painted in 1542, it has always been in the Hall. Rapidly moved into the next door Anatomy Theatre to save it from the 1666 Great Fire. The Hall was burnt down. The only other time it was moved was during WWII, when it was moved to the National Library of Wales at Aberystwyth for safe keeping; a wise move as the Hall was completely destroyed (again!) in December 1940.
Also, looking up on the ceiling are the menacing looking fleams (a surgical spring-loaded blade). They reflect the lights glinting off their blades, reminding us of the Barber-Surgeons’ tools.
You may have noticed that I was wearing a hat. Well for years now I have not liked our PhD inspired soft Tudor hat, especially as in seniority we always stand next to the Feltmakers (63) with their wonderful hats. We are 64 in order of precedence.
So, knowing both the Master Feltmaker Simon and his Upper Warden Peter, I asked for their help, ‘where could I get a tricorn hat from?’ Safe to say, the Feltmakers did me proud. Lock and Co., made the hat, and after my year, I will donate it to the Company so that future Masters now have a choice of which hat to wear.
We started with the Black Bomber savoury cheesecake, followed by the beef loin and the wonderful, sweet lemon baked cheesecake – 2 cheesecakes!
My guest (and customer) Simon McMaster gave a brilliant speech about ‘smart textiles’ being used in medical, sport and care applications.
Then it was me, ‘I’m on’. When I stood up the wave of warm exuberance was amazing. Thank you all so much. I sell the modern-day version of the Stocking Frame that the Rev. William Lee invented in Calverton, Nottinghamshire, in 1589. I live about 10 miles from Calverton too.
The rollercoaster ride continued with announcing the Stirrup Cup, and trying to speak with as many people as possible.
I floated back to my hotel – it had been a great day.
INSTALLATION of the NEW MASTER – ‘OPEN FORUM’
Friday 17th
In our desire to be more open and transparent as a Company, Russ felt that the time was right to show the ‘rites of passage’ of the Master-Elect being robbed and becoming the New Master, in an ‘Open Forum’ setting.
Several Livery Companies already do this, but usually as part of a church service.
The only condition from the Court was that we had to be polished and efficient, which is easier said than done to follow the script ‘in ancient form’, and removing 3 gowns and putting them on 3 new people.
Russ had Peter, myself, Paul and Janie in early, before lunch on the Friday.
We had a full dress rehearsal with Peter Thompson the Toastmaster, being totally new to the FWK, taking it all in his stride and making sure we moved between positions in a smooth, and unrushed way.
We needed to do this several times before we felt suitable comfortable.
The Open Forum was open to the Livery and we had around 30 Liverymen and guests take their seats prior to the ceremony, in the Hall’s Reception Room.
Various reports on the past year by the Charity Committee; the Education Committee and The Almshouses were presented to the audience, and then Peter gave his final speech, describing what had been accomplished in his year.
Thanks to Russ’s dress rehearsals, we then followed his direction, and went through the robing and signing in of the new Master, the new Upper Warden and the new Under Warden.
I gave a short speech to the audience stating what I was looking forward to doing in my year and what I hoped to do. One of the main issues is Member-get-Member, using our wonderful Liverymen to attract new Liverymen to maintain the membership of our great Company for the future. What better than our very own Liverymen, who know all about our Livery, to attract new members.
We did all this in about 30 minutes. A first for our Company but definitely not the last. Having been a member of the Court for 14 years, I’m in a privileged position to know the inner workings of the FWK. Using the Open Forum, we can share this with our Liverymen, letting everyone know what is happening, and what we are doing. Also, we hope to pique the interest of Liverymen, so that they want become an Assistant and come onto the Court.
With the formalities all done, it was a quick change and back to the Hall for the evening’s dinner.