The Audit Court and Court Dinner, 18 April 2024

The Audit Court is traditionally timed for the afternoon before the Court Dinner.  No Liverymen are Clothed at this Court as we cannot entertain them at the dinner. In fact, time is so critical some Court Members attend the meeting in Black Tie!  However, we did manage to deftly and speedily finish the business of the day as well as Admitting four new Freemen of the Company and treating them to champagne before the rushed redeployment to Pewterers’ Hall.

The Court Dinner is, by definition, for the Court, the Chairmen of our committees and other committed Gunmakers and their guests.  It is the opportunity for the Master to thank all these key players who drive our Company.  This year would prove a memorable occasion for three reasons.

Firstly, Past Master Stewart Urry retired from the Court.  Stewart has been our ‘Eagle Eye’ on the full spectrum of administrative and financial matters for over 27 years, first as the Court’s  Finance Member and then as the founding Chairman of the General Purposes Committee as well as Master in 2007.  Stewart has devoted thousands of hours to support and drive the Company as well as managing the neighbouring Gunmakers’ Hall.  On behalf of the Company the Master cited the debt of gratitude we owe Stewart and thanked him for his Herculean efforts before presenting him with the customary Armada Dish for his services.  Stewart accepted the gift and received a well-deserved standing ovation. (See above.)

Secondly, it was the last event catered by Life’s Kitchen.  Their contract had expired and although they had been wonderful in supporting our events at The Proof House and elsewhere, it was time to move on.  We salute their skills, thank them and we wish them well.

Thirdly, to everyone’s surprise, Marco the Magician, mystified, dazzled and bamboozled everyone during the reception and dinner with the dexterity of his table magic skills.  Even the Assistant Clerk joined in (See below) and added to the fun.  Thankfully, no one had their watch bashed to bits, not even in a Gunmakers’ silk scarf.