Dinners

Lord Mayor

The Lord Mayor and the Lady Mayoress, Ald Dr and Mrs Andrew Parmley, were the hosts at an Easter Banquet held last night at the Mansion House for Ambassadors, High Commissioners and other representatives of Foreign and Commonwealth Governments. The Lord Mayor, Mr Boris Johnson, MP, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, and the Ambassador of Kuwait were the speakers.

Upholders' Company

Mrs Judy Tayler-Smith, newly installed Master, presided at the Installation Dinner of the Upholders’ Company held last night at Saddlers’ Hall, assisted by Mr Tim Solway, Senior Warden, and Mr Anthony Demby, Junior Warden. Ald John Garbutt, President, City Livery Club, was the speaker.

Distillers' Company

The Master of the Distillers' Company, Mr Richard Watling, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier, Chief of the Air Staff, and Mr Ken Robertson were the speakers at the Court and Livery Dinner of the Company held last night at Drapers' Hall.

Carmen's Company

The Princess Royal was present at the Joint Services' Dinner of the Carmen's Company held last night at Merchant Taylors' Hall. Mrs Marsha Rae Ratcliff, Master, presided, assisted by Mr Patrick Marsland-Roberts, Senior Warden, and Mr Stephen Britt, Junior Warden. Lt Gen Mark Poffley, Master General of Logistics, and the Master were the speakers and Gp Capt Timothy Jones, Station Commander, Brize Norton, Cdre Adrian Aplin, Deputy Head of Logistics, Royal Navy, and Col Colin Francis, Regimental Colonel, RLC, were among others present. After dinner, the Princess Royal and the Master presented the Carmen's Company Sword of Honour to Lieut Gillian Turner, RLC, and the Carmen's RAF Cup to Flt Lt Nick Clark.

United and Cecil Club

Ms Justine Greening, MP, Secretary of State for Education, was the guest speaker at a dinner held last night by the United and Cecil Club at the Carlton Club. Mr Simon Hart, MP, was in the chair and Mr Roger Sanders also spoke.

The 1900 Club

The 1900 Club held their annual meeting and dinner last night at the Carlton Club. Lord Flight was in the chair and Mr Mark Garnier, MP, was the guest speaker.

Chester Business Club

Mr Steve Leonard was the guest of honour and spoke on "On Creatures - Crate and Smell" at a dinner held last night by the Chester Business Club at the Abode Hotel, Chester, in support of Chester Zoo's "Act for Wildlife" campaign. Mr Andy Foster, Chairman, presided and Dr Simon Dowell and Mr Bob Clough-Parker, Secretary, also spoke.