Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

MissB calling! A busy time ending one chapter and beginning a new one!  Very excited about my new career as a full-time City of London Guide!  Originally a retirement plan but due to redundancy has been brought forward considerably sooner.  However, it was the push I needed and now looking forward with great excitement to 2013.

I have not been idle whilst not blogging. There are great plans afoot. January will be free walks with Footprints of London http://footprintsoflondon.com/ . So please take a look and come and try out some of these excellent walks with qualified guides in intimate groups!

February walks will be up by the end of the year with the same group, plus one or two of my own ideas. Still need to find the time to work on 'Fish & Flesh, Fasting and Feasting' how the City fed itself from AD43 to 1608!  Yes a big project and it continues to expand, so may be created in chapters. Bread alone can constitute a whole walk and don't even mention spices!

March brings a brilliant project with a ladies' business network and a special date - International Women's Day - I will be taking a walk to talk about the famous, infamous, known and unknown women of the City of London!

Thank you dear readers and followers for all your support and comments and look forward to your continued interest throughout 2013!

I am a Freeman of the City

My application for Freedom of the City
was passed last Thursday at the Court of Common Council. Also received my letter to arrange an appointment to pledge my oath to the City.

I may herd sheep across London Bridge, be hanged by a silken rope and when found to be worse for drink within the City boundaries, sent home in a cab, rather than spend a night in a cell! Useful considering how many gin distilleries are opening in the Square Mile! A favourite tipple of MissB.

Really just proud to be part of this great and historic City and will do my very best to share all it has to offer to one and all who care to join me on my walks.

Please see page 'Freedom of the City' for further information.

Passed!

Great news everyone!

MissB is now qualified to Guide in the Guildhall Art Gallery.  After an intensive eight week course, which included a written test and a practical exam this is glad news!

A special mention from the Principal Curator, Sonia Solicari, is quoted here:

"Indeed, you were one of several students whom were considered exceptional by the examiners. Sonia Solicari has asked me to mention that you were among those candidates whose presentations were considered to be outstanding - well researched, engaging, sensitive and full of original and interesting comments and interpretation. Sonia very much hopes that you will continue to feel inspired by the collection at Guildhall Art Gallery, as visitors and groups stand to benefit greatly from your enthusiasm and impressive knowledge. You also achieved one of the top marks for the written paper of 94%."

I will be at the Guildhall Library today to hear the talk on the 'Cheapside Hoarde' and then will be taking my inaugral tour of the Guildhall Art Gallery at 15.30, all are welcome. Free entrance.

The Guildhall Art Gallery - 10th November 2012
with  Waldburg Shires being prepared for the
Lord Mayor's Show