Our annual Banquet took place in the Mansion House with the Lord and Lady Mayoress joining Feltmakers and their guests at a truly splendid occasion.

The Master greets the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress

Melanie Lewiston, this year’s winner of the Feltmaker Award and her tutor Pauline Millar were amongst a host of distinguished guests including Alderman and Sheriff Alan Yarrow, Lady Judge, Gillian Lady Howard de Walden and Sheriff Wendy Mead.

Melanie Lewiston and Pauline Millar

After a sumptuous feast of Coronation Chicken, Beef Wellington, and a Dark chocolate dessert accompanied by fine wines, the Upper Warden eloquently introduced the principal guests and proposed the toast to the Lord Mayor and the Corporation of London.

Upper Warden Anthony Phillips

The Lord Mayor responded and gave an interesting account of his role in an extraordinary week in the City’s history with hosting of the Jubilee celebrations and the River Pageant.

The Lord Mayor

The Master gave an entertaining speech and was delighted to announce that her Charity auction had raised the magnificent sum of £78,000, principally for her chosen Charity the Spinal Injuries Association.  10% of the total sum raised was donated to the Feltmakers Charitable foundation.    Gillian, Lady Howard de Walden, Vice President of the Spinal Injuries Association, made an impromptu speech thanking the Feltmakers for their kind donation.

The Master

The Master then asked the Lady Mayoress to present the Feltmaker Award to Melanie Lewiston.

The Lady Mayoress and Melanie Lewiston

The Master’s principal guest Lady Judge has had an illustrious career in the law, the SEC and venture capital, and most recently serving as Chairman of the Pension Protection Fund and former Chair of the UK Atomic Energy Authority.   Lady Judge gave us a witty insight into the worlds of Nuclear Power and pensions before ending on a lighter note in the world of hatting.

Lady Judge

It was nice to be “back home” in the Mansion House in the Jubilee year to celebrate what we hope will continue to be an Annus Mirabilus for our noble Queen.

Jeremy Brassington

All photographs taken by Gerald Sharp Photography, who have kindly allowed us to use them here. To view and order prints of these and all the other photographs taken by them at the banquet, please visit their website, then select ‘Gallery’ from the menu, and on the next page select ‘Livery Company’ and ‘Feltmakers Banquet 318E (08/06/2012)’ from the drop down lists.