Andrew Parmley, the Lord Mayor of the City of London for 2016-2017 was guest of honour at the Worshipful Company of Cordwainers Past Warden’s Dinner.
As Lord Mayor of the City of London , Andrew Parmley is a dedicated ambassador who supports and promotes the City as the world leader in international finance and business services.
The Past Warden’s Dinner is held every year to celebrate the memory of the Past Wardens and benefactors of the Worshipful Company of Cordwainers. This years Past Warden’s Dinner was hosted by the Master of the Company, Jeremy Blanford with entertainment for the guests and the Lord Mayor of the City of London provided by the amazing Miss Alexandria Wreggelsworth (Soprano) from the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, accompanied by Miss Connie Luk (Piano.)
American Soprano, Alexandria Wreggelsworth is the Cordwainers’ Scholar for 2016-17 at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and is pursuing a Masters in Vocal Performance. She received a Bachelor’s Degree in Music at the University of Evansville and studied for two years at UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance. In recent years, Alexandria has performed in many opera scenes and productions.
Together they performed many wonderful pieces including Chi il bel sogno di Doretta from La Rondine (Giacomo Puccini 1858-1924,) Fascinating Rhythm, They Can’t Take that Away from Me, Summertime and, A Foggy Day (in London Town)’(George Gershwin 1898-1937.)
The history of the Cordwainers company goes back 745 years. The first written proof of the Guild of Cordwainers is a document dated 1272, making the Company one of the oldest Liveries in the City. In 1439, during the reign of Henry VI, the Company obtained the Royal Charte
Livery Companies started in the Middle Ages, when the tradesmen of London began to form themselves into fraternities. Workers in metal, cloth, leather and other trades formed ‘guilds’ to present a united front for their craft. Those who worked with the finest leather were called Cordwainers because their material came from Cordoba in Spain. They developed a soft, durable goatskin leather known as Cordwain – the very finest leather available – importation of which contributed to the growing prosperity of London. Over a period of time those who processed the leather formed their own guilds. The shoemakers, however, retained the name of ‘Cordwainers’.
Today the Company has evolved and mainly focusses on its charitable works.
