Page 17 - January 2020

BOOK REVIEW
The City of London: WHO, WHAT, WHY?
Alison Gowman has been an Alderman of the City of London since 2002 representing the Ward of Dowgate and was a member of Common Council before that from 1991. She is one of the longest serving members of the Common Council in these two roles. She has chaired many of the City’s committees and organisations and was latterly Chair of the City Bridge Trust from 2016
She was Master of the Worshipful Company of Glovers of London from 2013-14 and Master of the Plaisterers’ from July 2019. She
has been a commercial property lawyer and partner at international law firm DLA Piper UK LLP all her working life in the City of London.
Alison Gowman gives a personal and unique insight into the workings of the City of London Corporation and its Civic traditions, historic offices, the people who hold these ancient titles and the current important pupose that the City, the Lord Mayor and the Livery Companies fulfil.
The book is a collection of articles written mainly by Alison to inform her Livery Company, the Worshipful Company of Plasisterers’, and now shared more widely. The book explores the extensive role of
the Lord Mayor, much of which is unseen to the public eye, as well as the office of Sheriff and those of the City’s high officers.
The City’s many ceremonies are described from a personal point of view of one participating as well as explaining their purpose and relevance today.
Books can be ordered at a price of £10 and can be delivered by post at an additional cost of £3.50. Please send enquiries to Alison Gowman at themaster@plaisterersliviery. co.uk
The sale price will be given entirely to the Museum of London, the charity nominated as the Master Plaisterers’ charity of the year.
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