Summer Banquet Commemorates 80th Anniversary of D-Day with Music and Historical Broadcast

On Thursday 6th June, Feltmakers and their guests arrived at Mansion House for the Summer Banquet.

Upon arrival, we viewed the seven prize-winning entries for the 2024 Feltmakers’ Design Award. This competition, aimed at those pursuing a career in millinery, showcased extraordinary hats and headpieces selected by the judging panel for their craftsmanship, innovation, presentation, and commercial appeal. With no set theme for the competition, it was wonderful to see the wide variety of designs produced. Each piece was accompanied by a description, allowing guests to fully appreciate the thought process and inspiration behind each creation.

At the sounding of the gong, guests made their way into the beautiful Egyptian Hall to take their seats for dinner. The meal featured crab trifle, chicken with fresh vegetables and passion fruit pavlova, accompanied by an exquisite selection of wines. This year also saw the return of the Ceremony of the Loving Cup, a tradition said to derive from the assassination of King Edward at Corfe Castle in March 978.

The 6th June 2024 marked the eightieth anniversary of D-Day. Following the meal, guests listened to a recording of a speech which Sir Winston Churchill had delivered in the Egyptian Hall. We were also treated to beautiful renditions of “We’ll Meet Again” and “La Mer” by guest Ms. Murielle Allexandre.

The evening’s speeches began with Upper Warden, Jeremy Bedford, proposing the civic toast to welcome Representative Lord Mayor Sir William Russell, Alderman and Sheriff Bronek Masojada and Commander Chris Chew. Sir William was present at the Banquet because the Lord Mayor was undertaking one of his many visits overseas to promote the City of London. It was wonderful that Sir William and Lady Russell were able to join us for the second time in their formal Civic capacity, not only due to their personal connection to the Feltmakers, but particularly given that as the 692nd Lord Mayor from 2019 to 2021, the Covid years, the Feltmakers were not able to have a Banquet when Sir William and Lady Russell were in residence in the Mansion House.

Sir William and the Master, with Lady Russell as guard, during the Loving Cup Ceremony

Master Simon Wilkinson welcomed guests from the Zunft zur Waag Guild in Zurich, who recently hosted their Spring Festival, Sechseläuten. The Master was also delighted to present the Representative Lord Mayor with a cheque for £4,000 for the Lord Mayor’s Appeal. The Master and Lady Russell then presented 1st prize in the Feltmakers’ Design Award to recipient Richard Basa for his incredibly creative turquoise piece.

The Master then proposed a toast to the health of the guests, before it was time to retire from the Egyptian Hall and join the Master for a final Stirrup Cup following a delightful evening filled with enjoyable company and delicious food.

By Scarlett Bedford

The award-winning hat, made by Richard Basa