The splendour of the Egyptian Hall with the banquet in progress

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The Feltmakers’ Banquet Friday 13th. June 2008

Over 260 diners sat down at the 2008 Mansion House Ladies Banquet in June,  the second highest number of the decade, and they were treated to a memorable evening under the convivial  hosting of the Master Geoffrey Vero. From the moment when the Honourable Artillery Company Brass Quintet musicians struck up with Handel’s Water Music as the guests were received in line, an atmosphere of relaxed bonhomie was established and it continued pervading the whole evening.

Jasmine models the winning hat design

The winning entries  in the Company’s Annual Hat Design Competition always feature at this occasion, and the trendy ‘Fascinator’  designs grabbed the top places in 2008, and not only  on  the display table but  on the heads of both the delectable star model Jasmine  and  indeed  many of the lady guests present.

Moreover not only were the  hats innovative. The Menu struck both the novel and contemporary, with White Onion Ice Cream accompanying the succulent main course of Fillet of Beef, complimented by a Raspberry Smoothie Dessert. 

Lady Oliver presents the 1st prize to hat competition winner Paul Stafford

Both wit and wisdom found their place in the After Dinner speeches. In his response to Nick Heal’s proposal of the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs’ health, Sir Michael Oliver introduced a timely and warmly received tribute to our Servicemen in the Gulf and Afghanistan, coupling this with his  commendation of the three C’s as themes for all Livery Companies: Commerce, Comradeship and Charity.

Sir Michael Oliver

The Master responded with a golfing allusion with his three S’s, not a Standard Scratch Score, but Service Scholarship and Sport, also paying tribute to the role of the Services in today’s world. This in turn was re-echoed in Principal Guest Sir Stephen Wright’s peroration, which humorously rounded off the evening, encircling as he did both City and the Diplomatic World.   A vintage night for us all.

The ever popular ceremony of the loving cup

Rowland Brown