Master Cooper's Private Dinner Invitation
24th October 2023Coopers' Hall
One of the most exciting privileges of being a livery Master is meeting fellow Masters, who in turn open up a myriad of new industries, businesses, hobbies and personalities that are intriguing, interesting and worthy of investigation. By delving deeper I have discovered that there is more to the six degrees of separation than is exhibited in sci-fi movies. My non livery friends, on more than one occasion, either know, are friends with, have taken courses with, or have worked with fellow livery Masters. This enriches and deepens our relationships.
Covid scuppered face to face meetings of Wardens so there was a lot to learn once the term began! I met Master Cooper, John Fahy, at an event promoting a very worthy military charity. We bonded not over Russian or French — or indeed our shared study of politics — but over Consorts: our brilliant professional daughters who are our Consorts.
While in Seoul for business, I received a wonderful invitation to attend a Coopers' Court Meeting and to deliver the toast.
Six degrees of separation also play a role in the varied activities and professions of each livery Company. Over time you discover that many of the Companies themselves overlap in the same six degrees of separation. In the case of the Coopers and our Company, the Coopers made the hogsheads used to store and ship leaf tobacco for over a century. It was an honour to have an opportunity to share our common history with the Coopers and their guests at their exquisite hall, the smallest in the City. It is an extraordinary townhouse, which exudes the warmth and welcome that is complemented by their own members’ gracious hospitality. The evening was truly one to remember.
My speech is attached.