THE SILENT CEREMONY AND THE PRESENTATION OF ADDRESSES - 12 NOVEMBER 2021

The Silent Ceremony is the occasion upon which the new Lord Mayor of London is sworn into office.  It takes place on the day before the Lord Mayor’s Show so this year it took place on 12 November. As the name implies, the actions are performed in total silence apart from the swearing of the oath.  The outgoing Lord Mayor’s tricorn hat is removed and the new one dons his own hat. The symbols of office are presented  to the new Mayor. These include sceptre, sword and badges and all are offered with a bow from their respective officers. 

There then follows the presentation of addresses at which the Livery Companies of which the new Lord Mayor is a member present gifts.   This year the new Lord Mayor is Vincent Keaveney who is a member of  the City of London Solicitors’ Company,  the Woolmen’s Company,  the Distillers', the  Spectacle Makers', the  Framework Knitters' and the Upholders' Companies as well as being a Stationer!   Accordingly a delegation from the Stationers presented the Lord Mayor with a hand

bound notebook from the Bound By Veterans workshop and a fountain pen from Manuscript Pens  who were awarded a

Stationers' Warrant in 2019.  The Master, in presenting the gifts, said "May you never be lost for words".

In the main picture you can see from left to right Sue Flather, Past Master Tom Corrigan, the Under Warden (Moira Sleight), Court Assistant Paul Wilson, the Master (Robert Flather), Court Assistant Drew Scrimgeour, the Upper Warden (Tony Mash), Pat Master Helen Esmonde  and the Treasurer (Ian Leggett)