Author: Steve Summers

Members of the London Mayors’ Association attended Evensong to celebrate the Feast of the Dedication of Westminster Abbey on 14 October 2018.  The service was held in the presence of our President, the Lord Mayor of Westminster, and the Mayors of the London Boroughs, together with members of the Greater London Lieutenancy.

We were welcomed to the Abbey by the Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr John Hall. 

The Right Reverend and Right Honourable Dame Sarah Mullally DBE, Bishop of London, gave the sermon.  Sir Kenneth Olisa OBE, Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London and the Lord Mayor of Westminster read the lessons.

 

Over 50 Mayors and members of the London Mayors’ Association were treated to coffee in the Private Members Dining Room and then given a superb tour of the Guildhall which included seeing an example of a glass window made from boiled down calves foot – now know as gelatin!

The tour also included the Guildhall art gallery and the Old Jewery Church.

We then progressed to a truly delicious three course tea in the Guildhall Dining Room.  The icing on the cake was a talk by Wendy Mead who talked to us about her recent role as the City of London’s Chief Commoner.

A truly memorable and fascinating afternoon.

The London Mayors’ Association is extremely grateful to Sherriff Neil Redcliffe and his Consort Emma for inviting us back to the Old Bailey again this year.

The visit started with tea and home made cakes in the Sherriff’s Dining Room and was followed by a tour of the Old Bailey given by Sherriff Redcliffe.  We heard all about the history of the site – from the notorious Newgate prison, where once installed you were unlikely to survive unless you could bribe those in authority – to the spectacular building which stands today.

During the course of the tour we also learnt that the original meaning of ‘on the wagon’ where those going for execution from the old Newgate prison were allowed off ‘the wagon’ to have a drink with those who would carry out their execution before being put back on the wagon afterwards.  A sobering thought!

New Mayors’ Reception – 19 June 2018

The London Mayors’ Association hosted a reception in Westminster City Council’s Lord Mayor’s Parlour on Tuesday 19 June 2018 for this year’s new Mayors and their mayoresses and consorts.    A well-attended and enjoyable evening it was opportunity for this year’s mayors to get to know each other.

The evening was sponsored by the London New Year’s Day Parade.  Many London Boroughs participate in the parade supported by their Mayors.