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…                                                                                                                                                                             

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