Here is an outline of our regular events held in the City, these act as an aid to new members or guests. In addition to these, a number of other events are arranged throughout the year and advertised on our website. Carmen may book for any of these by selecting the event you wish to attend on the Carmen Events or Other Events pages. If you are not a Carman, please contact the Clerk at clerk@thecarmen.co.uk
The venues that we use for Carmen events normally expect guests to dress according to time-honoured tradition. We undertake that all guests follow the Dress Code that you will see against each event. Please ensure that your guests do likewise. Click here to find out more.
Charity Luncheon
Our annual Charity Luncheon is normally held in one of the fine Livery Halls or a place of significant history or relevance. Its principal intention is to raise money for charitable-giving whilst enjoying great fellowship. A notable speaker will inform and entertain us after an enjoyable lunch. Timing is usually 12.30 for a pre-lunch reception, 1.00 pm lunch and dispersal around 3.30pm. In the fine tradition of enjoying fellowship, a local hostelry will be identified for further refreshment and conversation.
Dress Code: Smart business attire
Ladies: Suits / Dress & Jacket
Gentlemen: Dark Suits, Collar & Tie / Smart Jacket, Trousers, Shirt & Tie
Mansion House Awards Banquet
The Mansion House is the official residence of the Lord Mayor of the City of London and consort. Security is very important and on arrival, you and your bags have to go through airport-type security scanners. Cloakroom facilities and toilets are on the ground floor, so allow time to get there and back before going in for dinner. The room for the pre-dinner reception is a great taster of what is to follow.
The banquet will be served in the Egyptian Room which is famous for its opulence and sense of grandeur. Together with the presence of the Lord and Lady Mayoress and Sheriffs in their robes, this the banquet an extremely special occasion.
The formal procession into dinner will be by the top-table guests, Wardens and Clerks to the slow march “Scipio” as all Carmen and guests stand to clap them in. Once seated, one should not leave the table until a comfort break is allowed, usually after the dinner and before the speeches.
Another spectacle is the playing of the “Post-horn Gallop” from the heights of the minstrels’ balcony in the Egyptian Room. This is something you will always remember.
Carmen reward merit and the Company’s Awards which form part of the evening recognise significant achievements, contributions and innovation of individuals, companies.
The venue must be cleared by 10.30pm.
Dress Code: Banquet dress
Ladies: Long Dress / Ball Gown / Military Dress
Gentlemen: White Tie / Military Dress
United Guilds’ Church Service and Luncheon
The United Guilds’ Service is held in St. Paul’s Cathedral every March and is open to Liverymen only. This is an opportunity to meet with members of other Livery Companies. There could be some distance to cover between St Paul’s and the lunch venue, so suitable footwear is recommended.
Dress Code: Smart business attire
Ladies: Suits / Dress & Jacket & Hats
Gentlemen: Dark Suits, Collar & Tie / Smart Jacket, Trousers, Shirt & Tie
Joint Services Awards Dinner
Our Joint Services Awards dinner is normally held at the Guildhall. Security is very important and on arrival you and all your bags have to go through airport-type security scanners.
This is a very formal event, normally attended by our Past Master Carman, HRH The Princess Royal, who presents awards to our military award winners.
The principal intention of this event is for Carmen to honour our military personnel who keep our nation safe in duties at home and abroad. The Carmen have close affiliations with our military and this is a time to celebrate them. The award winners are those who have excelled in their innovation- or solution-focused approach, having gone above and beyond. They are selected from their branch of military service to be exceptionally worthy of a Carman award.
Dress Code: Formal Dinner Dress
Ladies: Long Dress /Cocktail Dress/ Military Dress
Gentlemen: Black Tie / Military Dress
Sheriffs’ Election and Luncheon
The office of Sheriff is the oldest civic office in the City of London – older than the Lord Mayor – and the two Sheriffs (Aldermanic and non-Aldermanic) are elected annually. They are elected at 12 noon, on or around Midsummer’s Day, by the Liverymen of the City who have gathered together at Guildhall – one of the two livery events called ‘Common Hall’ .
Security is very important and on arrival you and all your bags have to go through airport-type security scanners.
This is an opportunity for you to help choose those charged with some of the most important roles in the City of London.
In the preceding Spring, the Court of Aldermen carries out an appraisal process to identify the Alderman who will be supported for election to Aldermanic Sheriff. This Sheriff may proceed for election as Lord Mayor in a future year. The other Sheriff is usually not an Alderman and is elected at the same meeting as the Aldermanic Sheriff.
Liverymen have two votes. It is traditional for the non-Aldermanic Sheriff to be voted first and for liverymen to use their second vote for the candidate supported by the Court of Aldermen. Once the elections are over, many liverymen and their partners go to lunches in the livery halls at which the new Sheriffs might make an appearance. The Sheriffs then take up residence in the Old Bailey where they undertake their roles.
Dress Code: Smart business attire
Ladies: Suits / Dress & Jacket
Gentlemen: Suits, Collar & Tie / Smart Jacket, Trousers, Shirt & Tie
Carmen Common Hall and Luncheon
This event is where we elect new Court Assistants for the ensuing year. Members who have been Liverymen for a minimum of three years are eligible to have their name put forward by a proposer and seconder to be considered for election as a Court Assistant.
Speeches are made by those who have put themselves forward for election and then in a private and democratic ballot votes are cast. Afterwards, the votes are counted and the results announced at the event. Those successful will go forward to become Court Assistants.
In the fine tradition of enjoying fellowship, a local hostelry will be identified for further refreshment and celebration with the newly elected Court Assistants.
Dress Code: Smart business attire
Ladies: Suits / Dress & Jacket / Summer Dress
Gentleman: Suits, Collar & Tie / Smart Jacket, Trousers, Shirt & Tie
Cart Marking Ceremony and Luncheon at Guildhall
This is normally held in Guildhall Yard and is a great spectacle, showing commercial vehicles dating from hand-drawn carts to steam lorries to electric taxis and everything in between.
Security is very important and on arrival you and all your bags have to go through airport-type security scanners.
This is our largest event which reflects the original goods licensing system. The Master Glover presents a pair of gloves to the Master Carman and to the Lord Mayor to be used to hold the branding iron which will brand the Liveryman’s board with the year’s registration mark. Sponsors pay to advertise in the programme and Carmen and guests are encouraged to buy them on the day. These programmes contain much transport-related information, interesting features and a full list of the vehicles to be marked. They have sometimes been seen to be used as a sun/rain hat or a fan for those unprepared for the weather!
All seating is outside and available on a first come, first served basis, so arrive early for best choice of seats. The weather can be varied and shelter outside is limited, so a hat or umbrella for sun or rain may be useful along with water to keep hydrated; and if it’s a warm or sunny day, remember to apply sun screen and bring a fan. Wear comfortable shoes as a great deal of standing is often involved.
Following on from the Cart Marking ceremony, there is a pre-lunch reception and a formal lunch afterwards.
Dress Code: Smart business attire
Ladies: Suits / Dress & Jackets / Summer Dress & Hats (Optional)
Gentlemen: Suits, Collar & Tie / Smart Jacket, Trousers, Shirt & Tie
Lord Mayor’s Election and Luncheon
The Lord Mayor is elected by Liverymen in attendance at the Michaelmas ‘Common Hall’ which is held at the Guildhall each September.
All Liverymen of at least one year’s standing, but not their spouses/partners, can attend to vote.
The Lord Mayor must have served as an Alderman and as a Sheriff.
The roles of the Lord Mayor and the Mayor of London are often confused. They are complementary but have a completely different remit. The Lord Mayor of the City of London, is the head of the City of London Corporation, the governing body of the Square Mile dedicated to a vibrant and thriving City, supporting a diverse and sustainable London within a globally-successful UK.
Elected annually, the Lord Mayor of the City of London is an international ambassador for the UK’s financial and professional services sector. Together with other leading members of the City Corporation, the Lord Mayor ensures that the City’s interests are reflected in local and national policy.
One of the City’s many traditions is that within its boundaries, only the Sovereign takes precedence over the Lord Mayor. This is demonstrated when the Sovereign touches the Sword of State when passing through Temple Bar into the City. During his year in office the Lord Mayor hosts many visiting heads of state, heads of government and other foreign dignitaries on behalf of Her Majesty and HM Government.
The Mayor of London, on the other hand, leads the Greater London Authority (GLA) and is responsible for the strategic governance of Greater London. Along with the London Assembly of 25 members, the Mayor of London is accountable for issues including transport, economic development, policing (outside the City of London), civil defence and fire services, planning and the environment. The Mayor’s revenue-raising powers include public transport fares, the central London congestion charge and a precept collected from London’s council-tax payers.
Following the election of the Lord Mayor, there will be a formal luncheon at a Livery Hall where Liverymen may reserve places to meet with their partners / guests.
Dress Code: Smart business attire
Ladies: Suits / Dress & Jacket
Gentleman: Dark Suits, Collar & Tie / Smart Jacket, Trousers, Shirt & Tie
Rededication & Installation Service, Cart Hiring and Luncheon
This event opens with a quarterly Installation Court, followed by a procession by Court Members and accompanying partners to a City church selected by the incoming Master. The service recalls the Company’s origins and pledges renewal at the included Foundation Service. Those gathered witness the passage of the current Master to Immediate Past Master and the installation of a new Master and Wardens, the beginning of a new Carmen year.
Trumpeters of Christ’s Hospital play the “The Carmen’s Fanfare”, which was specially composed by the School for the Company; and The Carmen’s Hymn is sung. This was written by two Carmen and is dedicated to the Company’s patron, St Katherine the Martyr.
The first verse runs:
O God of virtue, might and fame,
Fulfil in us our humble aim
To be posses’d of steadfast skill,
Yet swift and sure to do thy will.
After the church service everyone joins in procession to a venue chosen by the new Master, where the ceremony of Cart Hiring takes place. This commemorates the tradition of cart hiring in the City and is followed by a formal meal, held at the same venue.
In the fine tradition of enjoying fellowship, a local hostelry will be identified for further refreshment and celebration with the new Master Carman and Wardens.
Dress Code: Smart business attire
Ladies: Suits / Dress & Jacket & Hats
Gentlemen: Suits, Collar & Tie / Smart Jacket, Trousers, Shirt & Tie
Lord Mayor’s Parade and Luncheon
The election of the Lord Mayor in September is followed on the Friday before the second Sunday in November by the “Silent Ceremony” held in the Guildhall, where the new Lord Mayor is sworn in. Apart from a short declaration by the incoming Lord Mayor, this ceremony is held in total silence. Tickets for the “Silent Ceremony” are limited and will, if available, be advertised by the Clerk on the website.
The next day is the Lord Mayor’s procession as part of the Lord Mayor’s Show. The procession concludes with a swearing of allegiance by the Lord Mayor to the Sovereign before the Justices of the High Court.
The Lord Mayor’s show is a fabulous event and the Carmen normally have VIP seating in an open stand opposite St Paul’s Cathedral. It can be very cold and wet so please wear appropriate clothing. As this is an outdoor event the dress code is much more relaxed than normal formal events.
Dress Code: Smart casual attire
Ladies: Dress / Skirt / Trousers, Shirt / Blouse & Jacket / Sweater
Gentlemen: Trousers, Shirt & Tie (Tie optional), Jacket / Sweater
Carol Concert and Supper
This is held in a City church with a supper following in a special venue. The Carol Concert is led by our Honorary Chaplain and accompanied by the Carmen Choir with Carmen reading the lessons; it’s a great start to the Christmas season. Remember to layer up your clothing as it can be very cold.
Dress Code: Smart business attire
Ladies: Suits / Dress & Jacket & Hat (optional)
Gentlemen: Dark Suits, Collar & Tie / Smart Jacket, Trousers, Shirt & Tie