Guilds unite at annual St Paul’s service

The Master, centre, with Senior Warden David Dewing and First Assistant Tony Smart on the steps of St Paul’s Cathedral

Friday 20 March was the day of the rare event, a solar eclipse. For prehistoric man this was a frightening experience foretelling doom. For the liverymen of the City of London it provided a darkened start to one of the most colourful days in the annual calendar – the United Guilds Service at St Paul’s Cathedral.

First held in 1943 to give thanks for the survival of the City through the Blitz, it has become an annual event when all the Livery Companies and the Guilds of the City of London come together as a whole.

Visitors are treated to the spectacle of liverymen dressed in their colourful livery attire and the procession of the Lord Mayor, Sheriffs, Aldermen, Beadles, Officers and Clergy to attend the uplifting service.

The sermon this year was preached by the Bishop of Salisbury who warned the congregation that a predecessor of his had summoned the minters to the City to suffer castration and amputation of hands if they were shown to have debased the currency. While we squirmed on our seats he took a more gentle route of retribution reminding us of the privileges we enjoy and exhorting us to use them wisely.

The choir and congregation as ever were in fine voice and the sound reverberating through the magnificent building could not fail to stir. Following a fanfare from the trumpeters of the Household Cavalry the first verse of the National Anthem sung by all raised the roof. The second verse was a little more subdued, accompanied by the rustling of the hymn sheets or silent miming!

The congregation then went to their livery halls or other venues of choice to celebrate.

The Master hosted a delightful lunch for about 20 Liverymen, Freemen and guests at Furniture Makers’ Hall, this probably being one of the last events before some major rebuilding of the David Burbidge Suite to improve our dining and conference facility.

In proposing the Loyal Toast the Master reflected on the busy and exciting past few weeks he had experienced. The First Assistant, Tony Smart, thanked the Master for his achievements and work on behalf of the industry and the Company, and then proposed the toast to The Furniture Makers’ Company.

As ever this was one of the most enjoyable events of the Company’s year with a mixture of grand formality and an intimate lunch – all members should take the opportunity to experience it.