I’m looking forward very shortly to another edition of The City Courant magazine, that will celebrate the attractions of the Square Mile alongside its companion publications the Mayfarer and Covent Gardener.
Last year the Courant published a souvenir edition for Bartholomew Fair. You can see it here on the Cloth Fair website I developed for the main Fair, and complementary events at the original location. See end note.
Last night I heard from publisher Jeannine Saba that the next edition will contain lots about the Lord Mayor Michael Mainelli, his predecessor Dick Whittington, the Royal Exchange, London Archives, and new London Museum.
It will be back-to-back with an edition of the Covent Gardener, and will, I’m sure, like that aim to “shine a light on the area’s culture and history, promote its businesses, and champion its people”.
I’m hoping for another intriguing puzzle from executive editor and City Councillor John Foley.
Update – I shared this post with Jeannine and earned us a sneak peak at the covers.
Jeannine had invited me and other friends of the publications to a splendid event at the Jack Barclay Bentley showrooms in Berkeley Square. The purpose was to announce the winner of a competition for the next cover of The Mayfarer.
The winner was Alicia Harrod, announced by the Lord Mayor of Westminster, Robert Rigby, who you can see below with Jeannine. Westminster is the only borough to match the City in having a Lord Mayor.
The award was designed by sculptor Jill Berelowitz, who above is with Robert, Alicia and Jeannine. More of Jill’s innovative work here.
I didn’t even enquire about the price of the Bentley cars on display … but was intrigued by a small window display of Bentley strollers. For £550 you can purchase a buggy that converts to trike, with intermediate configurations to suit the growing child. Can City retail match that?
One of the Cloth Fair events last year was the Great Disputation, staged at St Bartholomew the Great, with the proposition ‘This House believes that the love of money is the root of the nation’s evils’.
This year there is no Fair, but there is a Disputation on September 12, with the proposition “This house believes that Christianity is intrinsically socialist”. Tickets here.
Last year’s politician was Michael Gove. This year Anne Widdecombe opposes. Should be fun.