The Worshipful Company of Masons, a fellow ancient construction Livery Company, extended a wonderful welcome as I attended my first banquet as Master Pavior. Our Honorary Chaplain, Dr Simon Thorn, is a member of the Masons’ Company. Annette and Michael St. John Parker and their daughter Arabella, all active and loyal members of the Anglo-Swedish Society, were there, too. Matthew Hampson and I have known each other for several years, and he attended our banquet in 2025 as Master Mason.

I was pleased to sit opposite Caroline Copland, whom I have known for over 20 years but had not seen for ages. She had finished her job as head of Marketing Communications at a City law firm on the day of the banquet, to focus full-time on psychotherapy and coaching.

The loveliest surprise was to find our Past Clerk, Jennifer Athill, at the dinner. The Mason’s Clerk, Giles Clapp, and Jenn used to refer to each other as “twins” because they were both born on Christmas Day. This was Giles’s last function as Clerk to the Masons.

The banquet was held at Merchant Taylors’ Hall, which was filled to capacity.