The Worshipful Company of Tax Advisers

UNITED GUILDS’ SERVICE – 28 MARCH 2025

On Friday 28 March the Master, Wardens, plus a number of Past Masters and Liverymen attended the 81^st United Guilds’ Service (UGS) at St Paul’s Cathedral.

The UGS was first held on in March 1943, and was intended to lift the spirits of the City following the Blitz. Since then, it has become an annual event and is a wonderful spectacle when all of the Livery Companies and Guilds come together.

As you would expect from a major City event there was a significant amount of ceremony, with the Aldermen and their beadles, as well as City dignitaries and representatives of the Cathedral processing up the aisle ahead of the Lord Mayor. This was followed by a beautiful service which focused on the fellowship and service of the Livery Companies and included an inspiring sermon by the Dean of Southwark. The service ended with the whole congregation singing the National Anthem before departing the Cathedral by the west door, into glorious sunshine with the bells of St Paul’s pealing. It is a wonderful spectacle seeing representatives of the Livery Companies milling around in front of St Paul’s in their robes. Goodness knows what any passing tourists made of it!

We then retired to Plaisterers’ Hall for a delicious and convivial lunch – much less formal than many Livery events – which embodied the fellowship for which the Livery movement is renowned.

I would encourage anyone who has not attended the UGS to consider doing so – it is a great occasion and one of the highlights of the City year.

Contribution: Caroline Turnball-Hall.