The Nomination Dinner, 5 November 2024

                                                          ‘The Keys!’

Dear Gunmakers,

Was it the signing of the Covenant?  Was it the Cadets? Was it the crowd?  Was it the candles?  Or was it just the craic?  It didn’t matter, it was an outstanding occasion!

The evening of the Nomination Dinner was split into 3 parts.  The overture was the Service of Thanksgiving in the church of St Vedast-alias-Foster 100 yards from Goldsmiths’ Hall.  The service was led by our Chaplain of 33 years, Colonel the Rev David Cooper, with the kind permission of the Rector, the Rev Paul Kennedy.  Over 40 attended the church and we remembered our losses and recognised our achievements of the last year.  The organist Joseph Ramadan dazzled and our principles were rightly challenged and refocused by David in his address.  And you responded in true Gunmakers’ style raising an astonishing £740 for the Gunmakers’ Company Charitable Trust.  Thank you and well done!

The second part, on our return to Goldsmiths, was the signing, of the Military Covenant by the Master and Air Vice Marshal Ranald Munro CB CBE, Commandant General of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force and senior Tri-Service reservist in the UK’s Armed Forces.  This is an acknowledgement of our support for and commitment to HM Armed Forces.  The ceremony was witnessed by the Master-Elect, Wardens, Past Masters, Liverymen and the representatives of the Warrior Companies.  The photograph records this historic event. 

The photo signing

The Grand Finale, the third part, was the Nomination Dinner in the candlelit Goldsmiths’ Livery Hall.  After church, our trudge back and the “admin” we were refreshed by our champagne, friendships rekindled and stories told, then 232 diners filled the hall to capacity, drummed in by the RAFAC Band.  The event was again a sell-out – with a number of Liverymen who were late to book sadly left ‘On the Bench!’ 

Clearly, a great deal of effort had gone into the planning, drafting and preparation of every detail of these events.  The Providitor had worked tirelessly to choose the best wines and select the finest food.  The Uchizy was just nectar, and the duck fell off the bone beautifully.  How does Marcos of ‘Company of Cooks’ manage to serve such food in such quantity so fast?  The caterers’ performance was exceptional.

Master West welcomed all our guests and in particular the Warriors – Professor Emma Ream, Master Armourer & Brasier, Sir David Wootton, Master Bowyer, Mr Tim Sanders-Hewett, Master Fletcher, Mr Richard Randolph, Past Master Cutler and our Liveryman Lt Col Michael White TD VR, Clerk to the Blacksmiths. 

Past Master Emeritus Stewart Urry had his many years of exemplary service to the Company recognised by Master West whose final act was to present Louis Hart with the McMillan Trophy for his outstanding work as a stocker.  Louis had overwhelmed our Certification Panel when he presented his work last April, such was his outstanding skill. 

The McMillan Award

Then the highlight of the evening, Master-Elect Richard Hefford-Hobbs made his Declaration as the new Master.  ….

  ‘I, Richard Hefford-Hobbs, do solemnly and sincerely declare that I will be true to Our Sovereign Lord, King Charles the Third, his Heirs and Lawful Successors. That I shall endeavour myself the best I can whilst I continue in Office, whereunto I am now chosen, justly and indifferently to execute and cause to be executed my Office in every respect and put in due execution all the good and lawful Laws and Ordinances in the Book of Ordinances expressed and contained without assessing or punishing any Person for reward dread favour or affection and of all and every such goods plate jewels sums of money or any other hiring or things whatsoever that by reason of my said Office shall come to my hands charge or custody I shall according to the Ordinances make touching the same yield and make good true and plain account.’

The new Master makes his declaration

The Clerk’s Office is delighted to say, from the feedback received, the evening was a triumph.  In the words of the Father of the Company, Past Master Richard Gallyon, ‘It was flawless!’.  The evening demanded a huge commitment from a large cast, so my thanks to Alex, Andy our Beadle, David Cooper, David Miles, our Stewards and Chaperones, to our Cadets, and to the Goldsmiths’ Staff led by Clare and Marcos. 

The Band

Post Script:   Returning the following day to collect our gowns and other kit, including only few bottles of wine that survived the onslaught, Marcos quite unexpectedly remarked, ‘What a lovely Livery you are.  Your people were so friendly and considerate.  All my staff told me so.’ 

Gunmakers, well done for making the evening memorable for everyone.

Photographs are available to purchase via: PHOTOS

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