Master’s Blog

A new Master! Me! Goodness, I never thought this would be something I would write, but I have and indeed I am. My name is Sarah Lancaster and I am the Managing Director of [...]

One of the benefits of being Master is that you have the privilege to choose a charity for your year of office which in my case is Dementia and Alzheimer’s, in particular Admiral Nurses, [...]

Master of the Worshipful Company of Launderers  was sentenced at the Old Bailey in London on the 6th of September and jailed in the Tower of London until he could raise £1,000 for the British [...]

February Court was held in the Tallow Chandlers' Court Room at Tallow Chandlers' Hall on Monday, 24th February 2020 in order to commemorate the inauguration of the Worshipful Company of Launderers in that very Court [...]

Starting at number thirty this year compared to the previous years, combined with relatively clement weather, as least until the last hundred yards or so made a huge difference !  Accompanied by Senior Warden, Kenneth [...]

Thursday 24th October 2019 was another lovely evening, this time in our shared home at Glaziers’ Hall.  It was great to see the Hall almost full to capacity with 170 dining.   Great company together [...]

The magnificent Merchant Taylors’ Hall was the venue for the Worshipful Company of Dyers' annual Swan Dinner with the Courtyard and its beautiful fountain the lovely setting for the pre-dinner reception.   Excellent company and [...]

The election of The Lord Mayor, one Fair, one lunch, two church services, three champagne receptions and six trains ..... a long day !!!   Master caught the 07.32am train to London Bridge and two [...]

The day started with a light breakfast at eight o’clock on HQS Wellington before visiting the forty Livery Halls in the City, the 14th Livery Halls Walk arranged by The Worshipful Company of Environmental Cleaners, [...]

An extremely early start on Friday, 13th September for the 26th Magical Taxi Tour to Disneyland Paris organized by The Worshipful Company of Hackney Carriage Drivers.  Over five hundred of us met at East Wintergarden [...]

Each year the Worshipful Company of Woolmen hold the London Bridge Sheep Drive in aid of the Lord Mayor's charity and the Woolmen's Charitable Trust.  This year is was held on Sunday, 29th September in [...]

The target of raising £60,000 at this fund-raising dinner at the Mansion House was easily passed with the magnificent effort of a total of over £73,000 being raised.  The profits from the evening will go [...]

This dinner was hosted by the Worshipful Company of Management Consultants in the Furniture Makers' Hall, another stunning hall.   The principal guest was Lady Lenzie who gave an interesting and entertaining speech.

Delighted and honoured to be invited to join The Worshipful Company of Tylers and Bricklayers on 5th September for their inaugural Court and Livery Dinner held at the recently refurbished Butchers’ Hall.   The refurbished Hall [...]

On 22nd July, together with my consort,  Helen, I visited the Old Bailey for a tour followed by supper at the invitation of Sheriff, The Honourable Liz Green in the truly spectacular Great Hall.

Hosted by The Worshipful Company of Framework Knitters I was invited as Master for  a tour of the House of Commons, The Place of Westminster followed luncheon in the House of Lords hosted by Baroness [...]

My second invitation was to attend the Installation Court Lunch of the Worshipful Company of Water Conservators held at Stationers’ Hall.  The luncheon was preceded by a Reception in the beautiful gardens of Hall.

Along with many other Masters, Mater Launderer joined the Lord Mayor for a  visit to Treloar's school in Hampshire, a recipient of a donation from our Benevolent Fund.  Almost all the children are in wheel [...]

What a delightful luncheon at Armourers' Hall as a guest of the newly installed Master Environmental Cleaner.  Our links with our fellow cleaning company grow closer with the elevation of Past Master John Shonfeld to [...]

In picture postcard Spring weather guests enjoyed a magnificent afternoon tea in the gardens of Buckingham Palace hosted by members of the Royal family.  What a pleasure to wander round the grounds amongst the elegant [...]

Master recently attended lunch at The Old Bailey as a guest of the Sheriff The Hon Elizabeth Green. The occasion provided a truly fascinating insight into criminal law, as the London Bridge inquest was being [...]

Master and Wardens warmly welcomed Mukul Mehta as a Freeman to the Company on Monday, 18th March 2019.

Our Clerk was one of the many women recently admitted as a Freeman of the City of London.  Margaret was sponsored by the Millennial Lord Mayor, Sir Clive Martin and Common Councillor, John Absalom.  https://news.cityoflondon.gov.uk/florist-restaurateur-bishop-and-doctor-who-among-women-offered-city-freedom/ [...]

Master enjoyed a wonderful dinner at Saddlers' Hall at the invitation of the Worshipful Company of Hackney Carriage Taxi Drivers.  Saddlers' Hall is a most beautiful hall and the company was interesting and entertaining.

Master was a guest at Bowyers' Court and Livery dinner at Ironmongers' Hall following their Court Meeting.   Forty-seven Bowyers and their guests attended the January Court Meeting and Livery Dinner - traditionally an intimate and [...]

Two new Liverymen were warmly welcomed by the Court on Monday, 28th January 2019.  They are Philip Hodgson of Tonrose and Oliver Moore of County Linen.

Master Launderer, together with Past Master David Hart, attended the 30th Anniversary Reception at Glaziers' Hall to celebrate the thirty years since London's Air Ambulance was founded.  Since London's Air Ambulance was founded, it has [...]

Master and Wardens warmly welcomed to the Company three new Freemen, Miss Deborah Jones, Sales Manager for Girbau, Stephen Batchelor and Colin Paterson, Owner of Total Fabric Solutions.

The Lord Mayor's Show parade is an annual celebration that pays homage to the new Lord Mayor.  Peter Estlin formally took over the reins from Charles Bowman on 9th November, making him the 691st Lord Mayor.  [...]

A great night at the  LADAs 2018(Laundry and Drycleaning awards) organised by Laundry and Cleaning Today.  Fantastic to see Past Master Richard Orford receive the life time achievement award on the night - congratulations Richard!  [...]

It was with great pleasure that members of the Court welcomed Stuart Calder of Regency Laundry as a newly enclothed Liveryman following the Court meeting on Monday, 15th October 2018.

Great to part of a wonderful send off for over 100 taxis heading off to Disneyland Paris.  A fine example of the pleasure of giving.  Well done the Hackney Carriage Taxi drivers for organising this [...]

Herbert Berger, Michelin starred Chef, based at the InnHolders’ Hall, produced a special bespoke menu for the luncheon which was held in the beautiful Court Room at  Innholders Hall and what a special treat it was [...]

A delightful and fascinating  day walking round all the Livery Halls in the City of London.  A pleasure to chat to the Masters of other Livery Companies some who feel like old friends and others [...]

Master Launderer attended the Bowyers' New Master's Dinner for the newly installed Master Bowyer, Ian Spring at Tallow Chandlers' Hall.   An intimate dinner of just the Livery, but I qualify as I am also a [...]

On the 6th July, Deputy Master valiantly "turned himself in" at the Old Bailey for his misdemeanors !  The total figure raised in "bail" for the British Red Cross was £38,873 for which they are [...]

On Monday, 25th June 2018, the Court welcomed Charles Betteridge and Kathryn Pantlin as Liverymen to the Company.

On Monday, 11th June Master and Wardens welcomed Philip Hodgson (Tonrose), Richard Wright (Wearwell UK), James Lincoln (Essex County Laundry) and Oliver Moore (Eastern Counties Laundries) to the Company on their admission.

On 23rd April my Clerk and I attended a St. George's Day luncheon, courtesy of the Watermen and Lightermen's Company at their lovely Hall. Also a day to remember as the Duchess of Cambridge gave [...]

Following the Court meeting on Monday, the Court took much pleasure in admitting as an Honorary Freeman, Hannah Houstin-Lacey. Hannah supports numerous charities by raising funds through walking and organising sponsored walks.  Hannah walked fifty [...]

What a fabulous evening we all had in spite of the Beast from the East. Read all about it here .....

On Monday, 22nd January Robert Hill, Michael Hunt and Bill Mitchell were clothed into the Livery.

On Monday, 22 January 2018, Simon Fordham and Andrew Doyle were installed as Court Assistants.

On Monday, 8th January 2018, Master and Wardens welcomed Tony Kerr as a new Freeman to the Company.  Tony is the European Sales Director for Xeros Limited.

Well after a quiet start to my year, things have picked up a pace. September saw the Livery Halls Walk with Senior and myself keeping pace with the fittest Our Court meeting in October was [...]

Following on from our new Deputy Master's Filofax Blogs, it is now my turn, so here goes ....... First of all the Installation and Annual Livery Service on the 3rd July was a glorious day [...]

May I start my final blog as Master with two thank yous. Firstly my thanks also to those who contributed to my Red Cross Appeal when I was Jailed and thankfully Bailed as a result [...]

It was my pleasure to host our inaugural Journeyman Event recently which had a bit of a nautical theme. The day started with Ruth, Suzi, Martin and Steve visiting my chosen charity Tower Lifeboat Station [...]

The Ironbridge Weekend is an annual event when all Masters in office at that time get together for  a weekend in this historical Shropshire town.  Lesley and I had a wonderful time touring the sites [...]

April saw our Livery join the Lesley and I on our Livery weekend to the wonderful city of Edinburgh (pronounced “Embra”). With perfect weather the thirty eight of us had a varied programme to take [...]

The Wardens and Court gather in front of my camera before the United Guilds' Service at St Paul's Cathedral.

In the wonderful surroundings of Carpenters' Hall, I attended the Spring Court Dinner of the Worshipful Company of Hackney Carriage Drivers. We have a long association with this Livery including Sponsoring a Taxi in the [...]

Once again the Launderers fielded a team honed to physical imperfection for the Inter-Livery Shrove Tuesday Pancake race, with all proceeds raised from the pancake races going to the Lord Mayor’s Charities. After a power [...]

Conversation of the week. Q - Could I book a vegetarian meal please? A-  Certainly, are you a fish eating Vegetarian?

Well after the fireworks at the end of October, the theme has certainly continued in November. A sparkling start to the month was our growing relationship with the Company of Fruiterers, when I was fortunate [...]

A great evening was had by all at our recent Livery Service and Dinner at Southwark Cathedral. Our thanks go to Andrew Nunn and Michael Rawson, Dean and Sub-Dean of Southwark for arranging the collection [...]

As Master, it was great to see our Court in full flow at our recent meeting. We must never underestimate the wealth of experience and knowledge that we have across our Livery which will be [...]

There must be a rule about how many Masters can you fit into a Crypt at any one time (picture). This was certainly applied at the Election of the Lord Mayor when the Masters all [...]

After having the good fortune to visit such wonderful events such as the presentation of a Shrieval Chain and Sheriff's Ball, (with the Guildhall making an excellent Disco) (picture), I then took the opportunity to [...]

Our first event of the year was the Joyce Kennedy Memorial Lecture given this year by Kevin Maynard Station Manager of the RNLI Tower Lifeboat Station, my Charity for the year. Over 85 people attended [...]

September is when the year takes off. I and other Masters and Wardens have just completed the Livery Halls Walk, 40 Halls over 9 miles. A great time was had by all, with great company [...]

Those who know me will appreciate that I am a fully paid up member of the Filofax Carrying Society and IT devices seem to malfunction as I approach them. It will therefore be a major [...]