A CONSORT’S DIARY

Let me take you back to when your Master Needlemaker, John Mill, told me that he belonged to a City Livery Company and that he would become Master in October 2021, after holding the position of Junior and Senior Warden. John asked me if I would be his Consort. I agreed, without really knowing to what extent I might become involved. As we all know, it didn’t happen in that timescale due to Covid; it took an extra year for John to become Master.

I used that extra time to increase my knowledge of the Consort role and to learn what was expected of me. I joined an organisation called City Consorts’ Society. Established by former Mistresses/Consorts who had learnt the hard way, this proved to be an absolute blessing. Working through their 12 week ‘Jigsaw’ programme (now 6 weeks) of one hour Zoom sessions during lockdown, I learnt more about the City, the events to which we could be invited, the protocols within the Livery and, most importantly, the dress code, particularly for ladies. The latter being an area in which the Master definitely lacked knowledge! “Oh you can wear the same dress or evening gown to multiple functions” said John. Did he really understand women’s thinking on fashion at all? I quickly learn that the ladies keep a note of which outfit they wear to each different event and follow suit.

We are now only a couple of months away from finishing our year, so I thought you may like to know how your Master’s Consort has been promoting the Needlemakers Livery Company. By year end I will have attended c.87 events:

 6 City Consorts events during the current year -– 6 prior to Installation

 52 Livery Events with the Master

 23 Livery Consort Events

Past, present and future Livery Consorts attend City Consort events, so the exchange of experiences and knowledge is invaluable. We have met the Pikeman at the H.A.C, had a guided walking tour of Crutched Friars, visited Gunmakers Hall and Goldsmiths Hall and also enjoyed a very interesting guided tour of Dr Johnson’s House. As a result of meeting other Consorts prior to Installation, I was able to introduce the Master to other Livery Masters through my previous encounters with their Consort.

I was given some great advice leading up to Installation: make the most of every opportunity and hit the ground running. Consequently, when I started to receive invitations from other Livery Consorts to their personally organised event, I accepted as many as the diary permitted. These invitations have included but are not limited to:

 Lunch with a speaker at various Livery Halls

 Guided Charles Dickens and Samuel Pepys walk, around the City with the Mistress Farmer

 Visit to the Goldsmiths Centre to see the apprentices learning their trade

 A wood turning demonstration at the Dutch Church

 A walk around the Tower of London Jewels House - some items were missing due to the King’s impending coronation. Aside from the crowns etc, King Charles was practising walking the corridor of Buckingham Palace in his 20lb robe!

 Afternoon tea at the Chelsea Physic Garden with the Tobacco Pipe Makers

Butchers’ tour of Smithfield meat market (6am start time with breakfast included)

 Mudlarking lecture with lunch at Cutlers Hall

 Tour and lunch at the RAF Club with the Plumbers Consort

 Two champagne afternoon teas with the Lady Mayoress and Sheriffs’ Consorts at Guildhall

 Guided history walk of the taverns in the Square Mile and dinner with the Saddlers Consort

 Mudlarking on the Thames foreshore with the Water Conservators

 Private lunch with the Lady Mayoress at Mansion House

Having enjoyed the hospitality of a number of Consorts, I decided to hold my own event in May 2023. It seemed appropriate to have an activity that included the use of needles, and I knew of one lady who might just be able to help me. Past mistress and friend, Elizabeth Whitton is passionate about her crafting activities and is always keen for others to learn. Fortunately for me, Elizabeth kindly agreed to help and, after a false start with one activity that required far too much concentration, we decided on Sashiko (Japanese embroidery), with each Consort making a needle/pin cushion to take home with them. This was followed with a sparkling afternoon tea.

Having booked our venue, the Guildhall Club which holds up to 32 people, the invitation was sent. I waited with trepidation for responses. Would a crafting afternoon appeal to Consorts? The only other creative activity to which I had been invited was Basketmaking.

Imagine my delight when 30 Consorts from other Livery Companies accepted (and a waiting list formed should anyone withdraw). Many more reluctantly declined due to a diary clash. Some of these were Consorts whom I had not previously met, so we made new contacts and put the Needlemakers ‘out there’ for doing something different. Thank you, Elizabeth for doing the hard work and for making my event a success.

It has been an amazing and exciting year; one that will end all too quickly. I cannot deny that it has had its stressful moments, (e.g. planning the Needlemakers Cornwall holiday with the Master!) however the fun times have more than made up for them. It has been an honour and a privilege to be John’s Consort and to wear the beautiful Consort badge. I thank you all for accepting me so willingly into the role and for your continuous support and encouragement throughout our year.

Kim Riley