CitySolicitor


The Master and Lady Mayoress lead the Lord Mayor and other guests into dinner


Liveryman Eloise Walker, Pinsent Masons LLP


The City of London Solicitors’ Company’s Banquet at Mansion


House, Wednesday 21st March 2012 Mansion House never fails to impress, and this night was no exception. The Salon was as always a scintillating rainbow of colours, most noticeably of course from the ladies. From purple silk to sage green chiffon, black ostrich feathers to burgundy satin, everyone had turned out in their best, and if one were handing out prizes, special mention must go to the Reverend Canon Flora Winfield, whose delightful pink jacket lent a note of Spring to her more sombre ecclesiastic garb.


Champagne sipped and friends old and new greeted (and in some cases, hugged), we were all ushered through to the Egyptian Hall. The food was excellent – twice baked Cornish crab soufflé with cucumber and fennel and chive beurre blanc, fillet of Highland beef with wild mushroom and cep jus, fondant potato and cabbage ball and braised salsify, plus bitter chocolate and orange torte with coffee and chocolates – it was as delicious as it sounds. Nor did the wine let down the proceedings – a nice pinot grigio (Villa Fiore IGT 2011) accompanied the crab, Château Patache d’Aux 2002 with


the beef and the excellent Fonseca Bin 27 Port with dessert; plus a decent Courvoisier VS cognac with the coffee, naturally.


The glorious Egyptian Hall glowed with light and the decorations of the guests, who included the Master of the Tallow Chandlers’ Company Sir Christopher Pryke, Bt., and the Master of the Butchers’ Company Ray Woodhouse.


The closing Grace and National Anthem were sung (each in their own key, but it is the spirit that matters after all), the Loving Cup circulated the tables to a range of cheerful tunes and, in time-honoured tradition, two trumpeters attempted to outplay one another in the post horn gallop amidst much cheering and applause.


The toasts were witty and urbane, particularly from the Lord Mayor, The Rt Hon Alderman David Wootton, and The Rt Hon The Lord Judge, Lord Chief Justice of England & Wales who managed to fit several very funny jokes and a minimal amount of Latin into a very heartfelt plea that City firms encourage more solicitors to become judges. Senior Warden Martin Roberts had the tough job of mentioning all the Company’s guests, which he carried off with some style, and the Master Alderman John White T.D. was also on top form.


The evening closed with a stirrup cup for all back in the Salon, with a further opportunity to catch up with those friends one hadn’t managed to find in the crowds on the way in.


12 • City Solicitor • Issue 77


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