Secret Gardens, lavish lunches.

Some of you might remember that on the hottest day in the history of London last year, I became a Stationer. There are 111 livery companies, comprising London’s ancient and modern trade associations and guilds, almost all of which are styled the ‘Worshipful Company of’ their respective craft, trade or profession. These livery companies play a significant part in the life of the City of London (i.e. the financial district and historic heart of the capital), not least by providing charitable-giving and networking opportunities.

Liverymen retain voting rights for the senior civic offices, such as the Lord Mayor, Sheriffs and Corporation, its ancient municipal authority with extensive local government powers.

Totally unrelated to my ceremony last year, two weeks ago was fortunate to be able to give my Secret Gardens of the City of London tour to 27 wonderful consorts of various Livery Companies thanks to Lucie, Mistress of the Worshipful Company of Brewers.

I don’t normally conduct such large tours but everything went wonderfully well. The gardens were looking spectacular and the weather was perfect too.

With nearly 30 people, we didn’t see as many gardens as would normally have been the case but we still knocked off almost 20 and never more than about 10 minutes walk from Brewers Hall. This was rather handy as afterwards we went back for a terrific meal and drinks.

Everyone was so lovely to talk to and I felt epitomised what the ancient Livery Companies of the City of London are today. Lots of people from their respective traders who come together to enjoy good company, network and do lots of charity.

One of those in attendance was the Lady Mayoress of the City of London, she was great to talk with and we had a laugh about the sort of places that would be respectable for me to take her on this tour given the sometimes sordid street names around and about.

The food was delicious and as might be expected at the Brewers Company, the drinks were memorable.

Before Covid, Secret Gardens of the City of London was voted the most authentic London travel experience and the book which I wrote on it during lockdown because a #1 travel best seller.

It was a very important event for those involved and everyone thoroughly enjoyed it. I was told it was both the best and most fun event they’d been on and that the official people were not much use to put it politely…. the value of a real historian, author and tour-guide as opposed to ‘just’ a blue badge guide who can recite what they read in a limited syllabus.

The life of a tour guide, going from 2 wonderful Blind Iranians on a Charles Dickens Walk to Secret Gardens covering plants, medicines, Romans, Vikings, WW2, plagues, Victorian heroes, great fires, medieval fishermen, slavery and even ancient Babylonian ziggarats and much more besides!

Just yesterday a lady started crying on my tour, I’m not sure I was that bad but we made a little diversion as it came out during the walk that she was a Methodist. she stood on the spot where John Wesley encountered the Holy Spirit that led to him founding his church. She and her friend both commented that it was the best tour of their lives.