Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress to the Proof House, 22 July 2019
We were delighted to welcome the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress, Peter and Lindy Estlin to lunch at the Proof House on 22 nd
July. It was perhaps one of their final engagements before a summer break and already seemed in holiday mood, out to enjoy themselves. We did enquire of the Mansion House who would be coming with them to be told they were coming unaccompanied as ‘we knew they would be perfectly safe at the Gunmakers!.
Having duly arrived in the Mayoral taxi, the Lord and Lady
Mayoress received a full tour of the workshops
from the Proof Master, Richard Mabbitt, and witnessed a proof test firing,
followed by drinks in the Courtyard and
lunch in the Court Room. Others present
were Deputy Master and Chairman of the Proof House Committee Rob Pitcher and
his wife Caroline, the Renter Warden and his wife Daryl and Diane Greatrex, and
other members of the Court and Livery with their spouses. These included some of those who had
supported the Master’s charity, the VRTU at the Royal London Hospital and St
Giles Trust in order that they could also meet guest Martin Griffiths, Lead
Trauma surgeon for all London, who came direct from operating all night at the
hospital.
The Lord Mayor’s three charities for his year – Samaritans,
Place2Be and OnSide Youth – have perfect synergy with the VRTU/St Giles Trust
as – particularly OnSide Youth – offer
safe spaces for children after school, in distress or need of help while
Place2Be focuses on a similar policy within schools. The Lord Mayor spoke of all these charities –
particularly as Mr Griffiths was well known to him – and then wrapped up with a most amusing and
apt story for the Gunmakers involving
two army officers at a dinner,
one very long and boring speech, and the meaningful placing of a pistol
on the table…
