Autumn Dinner - Thursday 16 October 2025

This was a wonderful evening of fellowship at Cutlers' Hall.  We were pleased to be joined by guests from our RAF affiliates, LXX Squadron based at Brize Norton and guests representing the Masons’ Company, the Upholders’ Company and the Company of Watermen and Lightermen as well as personal and professional guests of our members.

Our principal guest for the evening was Alderman Tim Levene, who is Alderman of the Ward of Bridge, the ward in which the Master Scrivener, Andrew Claudet works. The Master and Aldermen Levene both commented, sitting as we were in Cutlers' Hall, that despite the Scriveners being guardians of word, contract and quill, this might not be the best opportunity to test the phrase, "the pen is mightier than the sword", given how many swords, medical implements and blades were at hand. In proposing the toast to the Company, Alderman Levene stated that the Scriveners provide the sharp language and unwavering integrity that shape commerce, law, and civil society today and that what may appear to be ancient skills make Scrivener Notaries the guardians of trust.

In responding to the toast, the Master Scrivener, pointed out the important work the quills of the Company have been set to recently, in signing the Armed Forces Covenant and joining with the City of London Solicitors’ Company and the Worshipful Company of Arbitrators to create the Legal Livery Group. He also looked to the future in mentioning the Quill Pen Lunch, when we look forward to presenting our first Lady Mayor, Dame Susan Langley with the Quill she will use to sign herself into office at the Silent Ceremony. The Master also publicly welcomed the appointment of the current Bishop of London as the first female Archbishop of Canterbury.