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Coronavirus : April Court Meeting & Dinner and Forthcoming Events
Dear Liveryman, Coronavirus : April Court Meeting & Dinner and Forthcoming Events It is with great regret that I have to advise you that, in view of the escalating Coronavirus situation – and following the Prime Minister’s statement yesterday that people should avoid social gatherings and crowded places wherever possible – we have decided to […]
Michael Broadbent MW
Michael Broadbent MW, one of the world’s greatest wine trade legends has just passed away at the age of 92. The wine critic, writer and auctioneer died yesterday (17 March) at home. He was a towering and influential figure in the wine trade. Born in Yorkshire in 1927 and with a real talent for drawing, he […]
EMERGENCY CHARITY AUCTION APPEAL
June 7th – June 16th 2020 The Worshipful Company of Distillers announces an online Whisky Auction The Worshipful Company of Distillers’ online charity auction will be held from June 7th through until June 16 , with all proceeds going to The Drinks Trust’s ‘Your Round’ appeal to support people of the drinks industry who are […]
Master’s Blog – February 2020
First up in February was a road and boat trip to Alkmaar in The Netherlands where I had been asked as Master to open the 10th Anniversary of The Hielander Whisky Festival. This whisky festival has raised substantial funds over the years for a local Cancer Hospice/Charity The Praethuys in Alkmaar. Having opened the event […]
Master’s Blog – January 2020
As I mentioned in the newsletter, it is scarcely believable that I write this with over a quarter of my Master’s year gone already. Time does fly when one is enjoying oneself. As regards the newsletter, I feel I must mention the quality of the content and production of that publication and thank and congratulate […]
DCC Slips into Gear
Our year started well as twenty DCC members, wives and guests all met at Caraffini’s restaurant in London to socialise and chat about our exciting forthcoming year of events. Some of the group met earlier at the Victoria & Albert museum to visit the exhibition, “Accelerating the Modern World”, a fascinating insight of how the […]
February 2020 Luncheon
On a typical February day, the luncheon was held in the beautiful Girdlers’ Hall, following a Court meeting that morning. The attendees to the luncheon were greeted by Pipe Sgt. Andrew Parsons of the London Scottish Regiment. This Scottish flavour continued with the ‘Selkirk Grace’ from our Honorary Chaplain and the Piping in of the […]
The Consorts’ Lunch
On a chilly and rather blustery day in February, a gathering of Consorts took shelter from the ravages of storm Ciara in the beautiful surroundings of Vintners’ Hall for the Mistress’ annual Consorts’ Luncheon. On arrival we were greeted warmly by the Vintners’ General Manager, Major Steve Marcham, who gave us a guided tour of […]
Master’s Blog – December 2019
May I wish all our readers a Happy New Year and trust that everyone had a wonderful Christmas. Having picked up the pen , so to speak, from IPM Martin Riley immediately after the Installation Dinner in November, this December blog is a bit of a bumper edition with content from the end of November […]
CBE Syl Saller
Syl Saller, who has been with Diageo for 20 years, was this week awarded a CBE ( Commander of the Order of the British Empire) for services to business and equality in the workplace. Saller has worked to drive change and enable greater diversity within the creative industries, Diageo said. The company also described her […]
Carol Service
There are certain events in the Company calendar that evoke strong feelings, and the Carol Service is one of these. As glasses of Pommery Royal Brut Champagne were clinked between old friends and new, the feeling that we had reached the end of term was compelling. As the throng put down their glasses and filled […]
2019 Installation Dinner
Just before the Installation Dinner I spoke to the Assistant Clerk, Kim Lyons, about bringing a guest. She laughingly told me that there were 20 on a waiting list. So, another Distillers’ dinner was oversubscribed. Is that a tribute to outgoing Master Martin Riley, great anticipation for the incoming Master Kenny MacKay, or simply recognition […]
Mansion House Banquet – Shaping tomorrow’s City today
We had the honour of holding this year’s Annual Livery Banquet in the Egyptian Hall at the Mansion House in the presence of the 691st Lord Mayor of London, Peter Estlin and the Lady Mayoress Lindy Estlin. Built between 1739 and 1752 on the old site of the Stocks Exchange by architect George Dance the […]
Master’s Blog – November 2019
The month began with the Glass Sellers Mansion House Banquet to which the Mistress and I were invited. A splendid evening where the Master’s guests were accompanied by a brass band playing “Bring Me Sunshine“ on entering the Egyptian Hall. The week of Remembrance began on Monday 4 November with a service in the garden […]
Master’s Blog – October 2019
If September seemed busy – October was supercharged. It was undoubtedly the busiest month in the Master’s year. It began with an invitation to the Glovers’ Mansion House Banquet – during which the Mistress and I were each formally presented with a pair of bespoke leather gloves … which remarkably fitted “like a glove”. The […]
Master’s Blog – September 2019
Lunch with High Court Judges at the Old Bailey is an invitation extended to all Masters of Livery Companies during the course of their year. The conversation gives an insight into the work of the Judges and the type of trials undertaken at the Central Criminal Court.. principally murder and terrorist offences. For their part […]
Industry News
Accolade Wines adds hard seltzer line to Echo Falls
Accolade Wines has joined the alcoholic sparkling water race, adding another category to its Echo Falls wine brand’s portfolio.
William Grant & Sons raises £100K for drinks industry charities
William Grant & Sons hosts charity auction to support drinks industry charities
The Chapel Gate’s JJ Corry The Lock In – Product Launch
Irish whiskey bonder The Chapel Gate has launched a range of whiskies crowdsourced during the coronavirus lockdown.
Edinburgh Gin teams up with Penguin Books for novel father’s day gift
Edinburgh Gin has partnered with Penguin Books to create a limited-edition Father’s Day gift.
