Malcolm explained that he had moved to Shepperton three years ago and that his current role was Bishop's advisor on pastoral care at St Martin in the Fields and that he had been chaplain to a Lord Mayor of London.

He explained that the City of London is literally a square mile, well an oblong to be precise. Is it out of date?  The immediate background was, in 1974, long lunches as the norm, now this is only a memory. Churches used to run talks organise music and other events in the lunch hour but now people just don't have time to attend.

The City in AD 43 was described by Tacitus as a busy emporium for trade.  Now there are 5,500 residents who are joined by 250,000 who come to work each day. 60% of the world's foreign exchange is done in the City of London.  There are 520 banks in the 'square mile'.

The City houses Europe's largest stock exchange, 14,000 solicitors and raises £670m each year in rates. The City Corporation is the administrative vehicle and there is also a Police force.  The City owns most of Epping Forest and Hampstead Heath, has several vital markets, four bridges and is responsible for animal quarantine at Heathrow.

The voting still depends on property voters but this is changing. Aldermen were nominated for life and were the source of Lord Mayors who used to get Knighthoods.

Malcolm was  Chaplain to Lord Levine who, as Lord Mayor, lived in the Mansion House in his year of office.  Lord Levine was the 671st Lord Mayor, the firs was appointed in 1192.

One key annual event is the Lord Mayor's show.  Malcolm explained how he attended a rehearsal of the rout in the ceremonial carriage  at 4am on the Tuesday before the event and how no-one who saw the carriage thought that there was anything odd.

There are 39 churches in the square mile, St Ethelburger's is still closed due to post IRA bomb renovation work and of course there is  St Paul's Cathedral.  Just 13 clergy  look after all the churches in the City.

'Oh lord guide us' is City's motto and Malcolm's view was that it would continue to change and evolve over the years to come.

Peter Dethick gave the vote of thanks and the Club showed its gratitude to Malcolm for a thoroughly interesting talk.