God Spede the Plow!

It was a cold, damp evening on 12 January when the Master, Wardens, Court members and guests attended the Plough Monday Dinner at the magnificent Cutlers’ Hall.

Plough (or Plow) Monday is the first Monday after Epiphany and in early times it marked the end of the Christmas holidays when men returned to their plough or daily work. By the 15^th century, it had become a general holiday.

The well-known saying “God speed the Plough” is an expression of good wishes and prosperity and the event is celebrated annually by the Feltmakers.

The present Hall is the fifth Cutlers’ Meeting Place (one was “next to the tenement formerly belonging to one Richard Whityngton”) presumably along with his cat. The present Hall was built on land which had been the site of the Royal College of Physicians and was completed in 1888.

It boasts many historical and interesting features; a fine oak carving of the Company’s Coat of Arms is among the few relics which survived the Great Fire of London in 1666, many stained glass windows and some excellent examples of the bladesmith’s craft, several of them made by Wilkinson Sword.

Among the Hall’s outstanding features is a hammer beam roof constructed in the medieval style, and on an outside wall is a finely carved terracotta frieze showing cutlers working at their craft.

The evening opened with a drinks reception before all present sat down to a delicious four course dinner which ended with a Welsh Rarebit savoury.

Our Chaplain, the Reverand Andrew Pritchard-Keens, recited the words of a traditional song which finished with all present responding with the cry “God Speed the Plough!”, before we reverently said grace.

Following a sumptuous dinner, the Master proposed toasts to the King, Queen Camilla, The Prince and Princess of Wales and other Members of the Royal Family.

Court Assistant Mark Williams was then called upon to welcome the visiting Sheriffs followed by proposing a toast to The Lady Mayor, The City of London and the Sheriffs.

The response by Alderman and Sheriff Robert Hughes-Penney was an entertaining speech focused on the tradition of Plough Monday and the relationship between his Company, The Haberdashers and The Feltmakers, a relationship that has not always been as cordial as it is today, to say the least! He then handed over to Sheriff and Deputy Keith Bottomley who continued in humorous vein relating to his own Yorkshire heritage.

The Master then welcomed the Guests and visiting Masters, Clerks and Wardens. He went on to outline some recent achievements of the Feltmakers, particularly our record-breaking stand at the Guildhall Red Cross Christmas Market and the Milliners’ Lunch at Mansion House and thanked all those who took part. He also welcomed new Steward Craig Winfield, new Liveryman, Ms. Amanda John and New Assistant Mrs Alexandra Hayward.

The Master then gave details of his Waterloo to Waterloo walk in aid of the charity Scotty’s Little Soldiers which supports bereaved children and young people from UK Armed Forces families, before requesting all Feltmakers to stand and toast the Guests.

The formal part of the evening concluded with Sheriff and Deputy Keith Bottomley proposing the health of The Worshipful Company of Feltmakers and the Master.

A most convivial evening closed with The Master inviting all present to partake in a stirrup cup before commencing their homeward journeys.

Terry Harragan