At the Banquet in 2011 HMS Richmond’s outgoing commanding officer, Captain Mike Walliker, suggested that the affiliation would be strengthened if we could arrange an event for the Ship’s company to give them a better understanding of what the Livery means to the City of London.He laid particular stress on the desirability of aiming this at the other ranks on board who had little appreciation of what we do.

HMS Richmond was due to go through a comprehensive refit during which time some 60% of the crew would change.This idea was put to the affiliation liaison contact on the ship and arranged for 12th September 2012 after the completion of sea trials.

A party of Basketmakers joined the group for the walk and luncheon and with other members of the Company very generously sponsored sailors to cover the costs.

The Ship’s party travelled up from Portsmouth by minibus and we met at Guildhall Yard at 10:15.We were exceptionally fortunate to secure Murray Craig, Clerk to the Chamberlain’s Court, as our guide. He had prepared a special itinerary in keeping with the theme of Worshipful Companies and the City’s Naval connections.We started in Guildhall Yard, then on to the Guildhall Art Gallery and Guildhall itself, by way of the Roman amphitheatre.



From Guildhall we walked along Gresham Street, Noble Street, London Wall, Aldersgate Street, Little Britain and so to Smithfield.Murray gave a fascination explanation of the history and connections of the places we passed through, with frequent stops to point out the less obvious details that the casual passer-by could easily miss.

The walk finished at Butchers Hall, and being a Wednesday, a carvery lunch had been booked.The ship’s crew enjoyed the opportunity to dine in the impressive surroundings of Butchers Hall and quickly became devotees of the superlative roast beef.

After the luncheon the general view that it was "far too early" to return to the minibus and an impromptu visit was made to a local London pub "The Hand & Shears".

Back at Guildhall Yard the Basketmakers said farewell to the party from the ship after a last opportunity for a few photos.