The Lord Mayor’s Visit, 3 July 2024

Our Master and Wardens warmly welcomed a complete Mayoral Party to The Proof House on Wednesday 3 July.  The drizzle did not dampen anyone’s spirits, and the party were very impressed with the arrangements.  The Proof House really is the destination of choice across the Livery and the City and demand is high.

We are one of the few Livery Companies to host the Lord Mayor annually and the day follows the usual format of a Livery Lunch.  A warm welcome is extended by the Master with a brief history of the Company and the Mistery of Gunmaking in Aldgate, the tour follows of the Workshop with an accompanying and authoritative talk by the Proof Master before enjoying champagne in the Courtyard prior to the call to luncheon.  The usual shock and horror were expressed at the surprise firing of the cannon prior to grace by the Clerk.

The Mayoral Party consisted of The Rt Hon the Lord Mayor Alderman Professor Michael Mainelli, an old friend of the Company, accompanied by the Lady Mayoress, Mrs Elisabeth Mainelli, both Sheriffs Alderwoman Dame Susan Langley DBE, and her husband Gary, and Alderman Bronek Masojada, and his wife Jane.  The Duty Officer was Mr Tim Rolph. 

The Master delivered an amusing and authoritative post-lunch speech and in reply the Lord Mayor chided the Company on its explosive arrival at Cowes at this year’s Lord Mayor’s Regatta!  Our yacht fired it’s cannon from it’s foc’sle to announce the Gunmakers’ arrival at the Royal Yacht Squadron.  The Master presented a cheque from the Company for the Lord Mayor’s Appeal as well as a copy of the Company history.  The Lord Mayor reciprocated by continuing the tradition of presenting the Clerk with a teaspoon.  We are proud that this traditional visit to one of the only two working Livery Companies continues.