The Master and Carolyn, with the Lord and Lady Mayoress

Our annual Banquet took place in the Mansion House with the Lord and Lady Mayoress joining Feltmakers and their guests in the Egyptian Hall of the Mansion House. As guests arrived to be presented to the Master, Anthony Philips, his wife Carolyn, and the wardens, the champagne flowed to the tune of our pianist for the evening, Edward Dye.

The Lord Mayor, Alderman Roger Gifford

Marina Walger, this year’s winner of the Feltmaker Award and her tutor Dagmara Childs, herself a winner of the award some 12 years ago, were amongst a host of distinguished guests including Professor David Purdie, Alderman and Sheriff Jeffrey Evans, Alderman Alan Yarrow, and Sheriff Nigel Pullman.

The Feltmakers’ Design Award winning hat

A truly splendid dinner was enjoyed by all, starting with pressed terrine of London cured smoked salmon with fresh Cromer Crab, a sumptuous Fillet of aged Beef and a delicate and refreshing Lemon Chilboust with fresh raspberries to finish, accompanied by an array of fine wines. The Upper Warden, Simon Bartley eloquently introduced the principal guests with an entertaining speech, and proposed the toast to the Lord Mayor and the Corporation of London.

The Lord Mayor, Alderman Roger Gifford, responded, giving us a valuable insight into his role as ambassador for the City of London. He then described his Livery legacy initiative which he hopes will secure funding for Livery charities for generations to come.

The Master gave an inspired speech and clearly showed that he was enjoying the occasion-abiding by the theme for his year as Master! He was delighted to announce that his Charity Day at Ascot was a great success, with fine weather, and £51,000 raised for three charitable causes. The sum will be split equally between the Feltmakers’ Charitable Trust, Spinal Injuries Association and the Oracle Cancer Trust.

The Lord Mayor and Raquel Siganporia

The Master presented a cheque to the Lord Mayor in support of his charity, and the Lord Mayor then presented cheques from the Feltmaker charity day to Raquel Siganporia, a Trustee of the Spinal Injuries Association and to Peter Rhys Evans, Chairman of the Oracle Cancer Trust.

The Master then asked the Lady Mayoress to present the Feltmaker Award to Marina Walger. The winning design was “catwalked” through the Egyptian Hall to the delight of all assembled.

The Lady Mayoress and Marina Walger

The Master’s principal guest, Professor David Purdie, gave a highly entertaining speech, regaling us with many a story from his repertoire. He led us on a witty journey through the origins of the chimpanzee to the corridors of Sunningdale golf club!

After dinner the Master hosted the stirrup cup and we were able to mingle with the distinguished guests and our fellow Liverymen; a perfect ending to a most enjoyable and convivial evening.

Professor David Purdie

Jeremy Brassington

All photographs taken by our official photographer, Philip McCarthy, who has kindly allowed us to use them here. You can view and download photographs from his website philmccarthyphotography, and you can order prints of these and all the many other photographs taken by him at the banquet via his website.