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The combined bands under Major David Hammond -
Master and Past Master Elise -
With the Master Nurse and the Master Gold & Silver Wyre Drawers -
Chief Commoner Philip Woodhouse
Band of the Royal Yeomanry and the Honourable Artillery Company Concert
22nd July 2026Guildhall Yard
Arriving at Bath Spa station to discover my train was cancelled was not a great way to start my journey to London. I was heading for a public concert in Guildhall Yard given by the combined musicians of the Royal Yeomanry Band (Inns of Court & City Yeomanry) and the Band of the Honourable Artillery Company, two of the British Army's premier Reserve bands. To my relief a later train eventually arrived, packed to the gunwales of course, but it got me to London in time to claim a front row seat in the Yard by just gone 1700.
Masters, Clerks, Past Masters and other familiar faces began to arrive, and before long we were having a cheerful Livery gathering of our own. Past Master Elise Rasmussen appeared with a group of guests, and we chatted with friends and members of the public as everyone waited expectantly for the Sheriffs to arrive and the music to begin.
The Honourable Artillery Company Band is part of the oldest regiment in the British Army and has been based at Finsbury Barracks since 1641. The Royal Yeomanry Band was formed in 1961 and is the Reserve band for the Royal Armoured Corps. The historic scarlet uniforms of the HAC Band contrasted with the French blue uniforms of the RY Band members, creating a colourful tableau aagainst the dramatic brutalist backdrop of the Guildhall's West Wing.
Philip Woodhouse, Chief Commoner of the City of London Corporation and a Past Master of the Worshipful Company of Grocers, introduced the evening's performance. I always enjoy hearing him speak about his civic role and can't help reflecting that his professional background as a former trader in cocoa, coffee and sugar has some echoes with our own Company's heritage!
The musical programme was introduced by the Royal Yeomanry Band's Director of Music, Major David Hammond PhD FRSM FLCM FTCL, resplendent in his full-length black concert coat adorned with traditional braiding and tassels. He provided an engaging commentary before each piece. The programme ranged from military favourites to music from television and film. Highlights included I Am the Doctor, Murray Gold's exhilarating theme for Matt Smith's era of Doctor Who, and a lively selection from the recent Michael film, which brought back plenty of memories of the music of the 1980s.
The combined sound of the two bands filled Guildhall Yard and reminded us how fortunate we are that the City can host so many public events of this quality, free for anyone to enjoy. It was brilliantly organised by Ellis and the City Events team in the Remembrancer's office.
After the concert I caught up with a few more friends before making my way back to Paddington, turning down the opportunity to join a contingent of Masters heading eagerly to a nearby curry house. Tempting though it was, there are occasions when being back in Bath before 2200 feels like the more prudent decision!