Newsletter - December 2025

This is our final newsletter of the current Loriner year and, looking back, it is clear to see what a lot of events there have been and how varied they were too.

It has been a pleasure to see so many members of our Company attending and taking part. The latest informal lunch at the Café du Marché was most enjoyable and special thanks to Liveryman Gill Sainsbury for organising it. Along with our Learned Clerk, Simon Ovens, I represented the Company at the Garden of Remembrance Service at St Paul’s Cathedral, a very moving experience. Later the same week we had a visit to the Household Cavalry Barracks in Knightsbridge. This was followed by the Silent Ceremony at Guildhall for the installation of the new Lady Mayor, the Lady Mayor’s Show and the livery-wide Service of Remembrance, also at St Paul’s Cathedral.

Most recently, a number of Loriners were hosted by the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery at King George VI Lines in Woolwich. We then moved to our very well attended Carol Service and subsequent Awards Ceremony in Guildhall. All of these are written up in this newsletter, so I will expand no further.

2025 has, I believe, been a good year for the Loriners and it has most certainly been a spectacular year for the Mistress Loriner and me. I will not thank any one person by name, but I am immensely grateful to all those members of the Company, and others, who have made it so.

We very much look forward to Thursday 22nd January, when we shall install our Master for 2026, Mr John Morton.

Nick Bensted-Smith, Master 2025/26

Loriners raise the Gold Standard at BETA Conference

The Worshipful Company of Loriners was proud to be a Gold Sponsor of the British Equestrian Trade Association’s (BETA) 'Bits, Bridling & Saddlery Conference 2025', held at Loughborough University on 28th-29th October.

The first day focused on 'Lorinery: Horse Bits and Bridling' and the second on 'Saddlery: Saddles and Saddle fitting'. Our Company was represented by Past Masters Colin Gurley and Sue Douthwaite, Court Assistant Deborah Moorby-Connelly and Liveryman Olivia Turner, who welcomed visitors to our stand. Such visitors included Claire Williams - CEO BETA, Richard Brown - CEO of Abbey England (both pictured below) and Roly Owers - CEO of World Horse Welfare (one of the charities our Company has long supported).

The conference was opened by Claire Williams and chaired by BETA Field Officer and Loriner Court Assistant Tricia Nassau-Williams. A wide variety of presentations was given by many prominent figures from the world of equestrian welfare and development. Loriner Olivia Turner spoke on the subject of 'Talking Horse: Horse to Human Communication' and Loriner Charlotte Warman presented 'A Day in the Life of a Bit Fitter: Experiences and Challenges'. Both presentations were extremely well received.

During the conference breaks, a number of trade stands could be toured, with the equine livery world represented by our friends The Worshipful Company of Saddlers and our own Company.

Immediate Past Master, Colin Gurley

Loriners Feast on French Cuisine

On 29th October, a small gathering of Loriners feasted on fine French cuisine at Le Café du Marché in Clerkenwell. This was the second informal Loriners' lunch this year and was, once again, kindly organised by Liveryman Gill Sainsbury, assisted by our Learned Clerk, Simon Ovens.

Founded in 1986, Le Café du Marché is a family run, rustic restaurant. Based in a converted warehouse, it was built on the foundations of the coach houses for the neighbouring Charterhouse. It has a strong reputation for giving a very warm and friendly welcome.

The lunch was attended by The Master, Mistress, Past Master Chris Walton and other members of the Court and Company. Gill's impeccable choice of venue and menu provided delicious food and good wine, which everyone appreciated to the full. Grateful thanks to Gill for organising yet another successful and most enjoyable event.

Liveryman, Stuart Palmer

Call Out for Clay Pigeon Shooters!

Calling all Liveryman who enjoy Clay Pigeon Shooting! If you are interested in joining the Loriners' team at the annual Inter-Livery Clay Pigeon Shoot next year, the event will be held at the West London Shooting School, Northolt on Thursday 14th May 2026.

Earlier this year, the Loriners were up against stiff competition from livery companies such as the Gunmakers, Bakers and Horners. Whilst there was definitely an air of competition at the event, it was also about raising money for charity and next year will be no different.

Liveryman Ollie Bensted-Smith will be organising the Loriners' team, with the aim of entering three teams of four guns. So, if you are interested, please mark the date in your calendars and reach out to Ollie via The Clerk.

Worshipful Company of Loriners represented at the Armed Forces Engagement Conference

The Armed Forces Engagement Conference took place at Drapers' Hall on 30th October, with the Worshipful Company of Loriners represented by our Master and also Court Assistant and Steward for the Armed Forces, Stephen Macklow-Smith.

There is a strong connection between Livery companies and the military in the United Kingdom and fellow Loriners will be aware of the support that the Company provides to various branches of the armed forces, as well as to the Armed Forces Equestrian Association.

The aim of the conference was to improve awareness of support provided for veterans. Speakers included the Minister for Veterans and People Louise Sandher-Jones, who served in the Intelligence Corps and Lt Gen Sir Nick Pope KCB CBE, Chair of the Confederation of Service Charities. He memorably described his mission as being 'the promotion of veterans as valued and valuable members of society, rather than being dismissed as mad, bad, or sad'. There are 1700 armed forces charities and the benevolence funds for the army alone support 82,000 veterans and their families.

The Loriners are committed to supporting the armed forces through the Armed Forces Covenant. The conference was a reminder that, while much is being done, much still remains to be done. Rest assured, all efforts to support the military are greeted with tremendous gratitude. As a token of this, at the end of the conference, the band of the Irish Guards played a fabulous 20 minute concert to the admiration (and confusion) of passing city workers.

Court Assistant, Stephen Macklow-Smith

Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment presents Tall Horses and Short Swords

On Friday 7th November, a beautiful crisp morning, a group of nine Loriners visited Hyde Park Barracks to see a normal morning in the life of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment (HCMR). It was a particular pleasure to come in the week of Remembrance Sunday and the Lady Mayor’s procession, as the regiment was busy with preparations for both events.

The group was given the opportunity to watch a selection of troopers and the new Commanding Officer, Lt Col Ben McNeil, leave to ride out around the park as part of a schooling process. Some troopers join the regiment without experience of riding and this is even true of Lt Col McNeil, who had decided to put himself through the troopers’ course. There was also an inspection of the King's Guard, which was leaving the barracks to base itself in Horseguards Parade for 48 hours. Any suspicion that the army does not hold itself to a very high standard was quickly dispelled when one of the troopers was removed for having inadequately shined boots.

After the inspection, it was on to the Saddlers and Farriers, where apprentices are regularly brought in to learn a trade which will stand them in good stead at the end of their service. The tour then continued to the store for ceremonial equipment, which provided a close up look at the Life Guards’ kettle drums. This remarkable set was made from silver tableware and trophies removed from the White House in Washington after an expeditionary force had set it alight in 1812. The silver was melted down, cast and made into kettle drums, which are now irreplaceable and priceless. Also on view was HRH The Princess Royal’s ceremonial sword, which is actually three inches shorter than the standard sword. From the ceremonial store room to the stables, to meet the horses of the officers of the Household Division, as well as the majestic Drum Horses, one of whom stands at more than 19 hands. Drum horses carry an honorary rank of Major and, accordingly, are saluted by all lower ranks.

It was a tremendous morning and the regiment could not have been more welcoming. It is a great delight that The Worshipful Company of Loriners has this link with HCMR and it is always a privilege to be given a glimpse into the life of these brave and dedicated soldiers.

Court Assistant, Stephen Macklow-Smith

Bright Sunshine and Smiles for the Lady Mayor's Show

It might have been Autumn, but there were definitely some springs in the steps of the Master, Upper Warden and Liverymen Suzi Skinner and Ollie Bensted-Smith as they took part in the Lady Mayor's Show on Saturday 8th November.

The Rt Hon the Lady Mayor, Alderwoman Dame Susan Langley DBE is only the third woman to hold the post in more than 800 years and the first ever to have the title of The Lady Mayor of London.

The Lady Mayor took office in the traditional Silent Ceremony at Guildhall the day before. Then, on the 8th, processed in the State Coach along the three mile route from her residence at Mansion House, past St. Paul's Cathedral, Cheapside and Fleet Street. She then continued to the Royal Courts of Justice in the City of Westminster, where she swore her allegiance to the Crown.

The Lady Mayor's Show is considered to be the world's oldest civic procession, dating back to 1215, when King John issued a Royal Charter, which allowed the City of London to choose its own Mayor every year. This year, around 7,000 participants, 200 horses and more than 50 decorated floats took part in the procession, with The Worshipful Company of Loriners joining senior livery companies representing the City's ancient trades from the Middle Ages.

Also taking part were representatives of all three armed forces, youth organisations from around the world and 16 bands to keep the procession marching in time. Boosted by the bright sunshine, it was a spectacular blend of ancient tradition and modern spectacle, showcasing historical pageantry alongside modern businesses and charities in an extravagant, three-mile and totally unrehearsed parade.

Liveryman, Ollie Bensted-Smith

Looking through the Horse's Eyes

On 21st November, Tricia Nassau-Williams, Lorinery Steward for World Horse Welfare (WHW), attended the 2025 WHW Conference at the Royal Geographical Society in London. The conference theme was 'Through the Horse’s Eyes', with a focus on understanding horse wellbeing from the horse's perspective.

Presentations were given on various topics, including guidelines for improved horse care, studies on working equids and a thought-provoking presentation by Olympic eventer, Pippa Funnell MBE.

These were followed by Q&A sessions and a panel discussion (highlighted in Horse & Hound). Panelists included Imogen Burrows, Equine Veterinarian and President of BEVA and Zara Tindall MBE, Patron of WHW. HRH The Princess Royal, WHW President and Past Master of the Loriners’ Company, closed the conference by encouraging delegates to focus on 'The Three Fs': Friends, Forage and Freedom.

In addition to providing very detailed and in-depth knowledge about different aspects of and considerations for horse welfare, this annual event was an excellent opportunity for some very productive networking. The complete video of the conference can be seen here and individual presentations can be viewed by clicking on the speakers' names here.

Court Assistant and Lorinery Steward for the WHW, Tricia Nassau-Williams

Honorary Freeman wins Lifetime Achievement Award

Jane Holderness-Roddam CVO CBE, Honorary Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Loriners, was given the highly acclaimed Horse & Hound Lifetime Achievement Award on 27th November. The awards ceremony took place at the Dallas Burston Polo Club in Warwickshire.

Jane was the first British woman to compete in the Olympic Three-Day Event, winning a Team Gold in Mexico in 1968. She is President of British Eventing, the Fortune Centre of Riding Therapy, British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA) and the Caspian Horse Society.

She has written more than 20 equestrian books, has an encyclopaedic knowledge and experience of equitation and has given so much to the equine world over the years.

Photo courtesy of Horse & Hound

As Honorary Freeman, Jane has always been most generous with her support of the Company, speaking at several of our Lorinery conferences, hosting visits to her West Kington Stud in Wiltshire and providing expert advice. Her Horse & Hound Lifetime Achievement award is very well deserved and, on behalf of the Company, we extend our warmest congratulations. The full article on her Horse & Hound award can be seen here.

Court Assistant, Tricia Nassau-Williams

Freeman Loriner awarded City Freedom

On Tuesday 9th December, Freeman Loriner Alan Hiscox attended the Chamberlain's Court at Guildhall to receive the Freedom of the City of London. Alan is Director of Safety with the British Horse Society (BHS) with which our Company has a long standing and valued connection.

Alan and his personal guests, including former BHS CEO Lynn Petersen, all greatly enjoyed the special occasion and were joined by the Immediate Past Master, Colin Gurley. The ceremony was conducted by Dave Hollander, the newly appointed Deputy Clerk of the Chamberlain’s Court, who is pictured with Alan following the ceremony.

Alan is now looking forward to his Enclothing Ceremony and attaining full membership of our Worshipful Company at our January 2026 Installation Court meeting.

Immediate Past Master, Colin Gurley

Standing on Ceremony gives way to Chasing the Charlie

On Wednesday 10th December, The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery hosted a party of Loriners at their base in Woolwich. This was especially heroic on their part, as they had had their Christmas party the night before and the entire base was in a slightly fragile state.

We received a very warm welcome and had a brilliant tour of the farriers’ forge, the tailors' shop, the gun park and the saddlery. We then had lunch in the History Room, the creation of which was funded by the Loriners with the Company's 750th anniversary grant. Afterwards, we watched the end-of-term equestrian competitions: 'Horse and Hound' (a horse and rider take the larger fences while the rider’s dog takes on a smaller course) was huge fun, followed by 'Chase the Charlie', in which the fences increased in size with every round.

The horses they were riding were the Troop’s draught horses. These are used for drawing guns, but not for showjumping, Watching the Troopers coaxing them over fences was a fabulous feat of horsemanship. The Commanding Officer, Major Wadman, then invited the Master to present the prizes, which included the Loriner Bit, presented to the best new recruit.

The Troop has had a very busy year. Most recently, it was at the centre of the ceremonial for the state visit of the German President. As ever, it was a huge privilege to be invited to visit them at their base and to be given a glimpse into the work that makes them such a stirring sight on state occasions. It’s always an immense pleasure to spend time with dedicated and professional young people who are committed to the service of their country.

Huge thanks to Major Wadman, to all his officers and, especially, to Adjutant Captain Lucy Henry and Sgt Renton who showed us around and gave us a valuable insight into their life.

Court Assistant, Stephen Macklow-Smith

Descants and Harmonies for the Loriners' Annual Carol Service

On 10th December, The Worshipful Company of Loriners hosted its annual Carol Service at the Church of St. Lawrence Jewry, next to Guildhall. This year, the service was held with The Guild of Investment Managers, which definitely added to the festive cheer.

The Master and Mistress were delighted to welcome Loriners and guests to this special occasion. The service included a selection of traditional carols, which were accompanied by the church's choristers, who sang beautiful descants and harmonies from high up in the minstrels' gallery. There were also readings delivered by senior members of both the Worshipful Company of Loriners and the Guild of Investment Managers.

After the service, the congregation filed out and progressed to Guildhall, where the Loriners' Reception was held. The event included the all important Awards Ceremony, which celebrated the excellence and dedication of service personnel from the Company's affiliates and charities. Whilst feasting on fine wine and canapés, Loriners and guests were also able to celebrate the winner (or winners...) of the Master's Award.

The Awards Ceremony might be the final Loriners' event of the year, but it is also an incredibly important one. With that in mind, a full report with official photos will be sent out to all members next month.

Thank you to everyone who came together for this very festive and celebratory event!

Liveryman, Sarah Lloyd

Messages from the Clerk

Dear Loriner

Winter certainly seems fully with me in Wimbledon, so I do hope you are all managing to keep warm and that your preparations for Christmas are well underway!

Installation Court and Dinner: Late January.

We look forward to welcoming Lord Sharpe of Epsom OBE as the guest speaker at our Installation Dinner at Vintners’ Hall, which will also welcome in the newly elected Master, Mr John Morton. Whilst booking is now officially closed, if you have not booked, have a last-minute change of mind and want to come, please let me know and I will see what can be done!

Mansion House Banquet.

The Loriners’ Annual Banquet will take place in May at Mansion House. It is a most spectacular event, so please put it firmly in your diary.

Summer Court and Lunch.

The Summer Court and Lunch will take place in mid July at Saddlers’ Hall. Please keep the date free for this memorable occasion in the Loriners' Calendar.

Recruitment

Please do bear in mind candidates to join our extraordinary Company. Application forms and guidance can be supplied by me on request. The future of the Company is fully founded on maintaining a heathy stream of new people and The Court very much welcomes new members.

Other events

Father James Titley, The Honorary Chaplain of The Company, has asked me to share details the following event coming up at St Lawrence Jewry - please contact me for further details.

The Christmas Service will take place mid December at 5.30pm: Commonly called The Lord Mayor’s Carol Service, it is a wonderful occasion to celebrate the joy of Christmas with an uplifting candlelit service of familiar carols, readings and festive music, as we rejoice in the coming birth of Christ through glorious choral singing. Attended by the Lady Mayor, this service is a cherished City tradition and a celebration of joy, peace and community. It will be followed by fellowship, mulled wine and mince pies. All are welcome and no prior booking is necessary.

Liveryman Jane Bransgrove has asked to share the news that The Livery Climate Action Conference is on 26th January and is open to all. Tickets are available here:

May I wish you all a very Happy Christmas and peaceful New Year!

Communications Committee

December 2025