Held in what The Rt. Hon. The Lord Mayor Alderman Professor Michael Mainelli referred to in his excellent and amusing speech as “This Georgian council house”, the annual Distillers’ Livery Company banquet at Mansion House did not disappoint. Members of the Livery and their guests were once again royally entertained, wined and dined at this prestigious and wonderful event, in an atmosphere of grandeur and civic pride.
The Egyptian Hall, with its high ceilings, glittering chandeliers, and elegant decor, provides the perfect backdrop for this formal banquet, and creates a real air of historic elegance.
During the formal reception preceding dinner, guests were treated to a glass of Brut Majeur from Ayala, a wonderfully dry and elegant Champagne so befitting the occasion, or instead a Plymouth Gin and Tonic, a Pernod Ricard brand which we are led to believe was once the favourite tipple of the likes of film directors Alfred Hitchcock and Orson Welles as well as American President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Who Knew?!
Following the Master’s Procession to the top table, our Honorary Livery Chaplain Fr. James Titley delivered a wonderfully witty Grace, and there followed a magnificent banquet, each course accompanied by the most excellent wines – hearty congratulations once again to the committee whose enviable task it is to cater for all tastes on these occasions – enviable because they get to taste everything beforehand! The Beef Fillet Bordelaise was particularly good, perfectly paired with a Warwick Estate Cabernet Sauvignon from Stellenbosch, whose long and lingering dark fruit flavours gave the wine length and a moreish freshness that keeps you coming back for more. Well, it did me anyway!
Thankfully in these post Covid days we were also able to enjoy The Ceremony of the Loving Cup, which we are told dates back to the our Anglo-Saxon forefathers. As we each drank to our neighbour, we could be safe and sure in the knowledge that we were protected from attack by our other neighbour, standing alert at our backs and defending us with a dagger against any surprise attack (well that’s how it’s meant to work anyway!)
The London Scottish Pipers were as ever on hand to accompany this ceremony before toasting the Master from two silver Quaichs, after which we enjoyed an excellent speech from the 695th Lord Mayor, who divulged that his deputy, and one of our own, Alderman Vincent Keaveny CBE, had been the victim of a diary clash and had been dispatched to the Worshipful Company of Framework Knitters Civic Banquet at Fishmongers’ Hall.
The Lord Mayor also gave his hearty support to the 50,000 strong City Livery movement and in particular the Distillers’ Company for all its work in support of education, philanthropy and industry, highlighting the huge benefits of what he saw as ‘Connecting to Prosper’.
As our own Master Lorne Mackillop MW brought the evening to a close, glasses were raised to our guests, and grateful thanks was expressed by him and all present to our retiring Assistant Clerk Kim Lyons, for whom this was the last Mansion House Banquet (in her official and highly organising capacity at least!)
For those who go regularly to this event, you already know how very special it is, and how privileged we are to have it. To those who have thought about coming but have been put off – don’t be! It is unforgettable, hugely enjoyable, and it makes one feel King or Queen for a day. See you next year!
Andrew Cox
Gallery password: MHBanquet2024
