Lord Mayor thanks Chamber’s Patrons as winds of change herald ‘exciting New Year’

The Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress welcome the Chamber and its Patrons to the Guildhall for a special lunch. Picture: Kevin Greene Photography

THE Hull and Humber Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Shipping welcomed its Patrons to its annual lunch in the historic Lord Mayor’s Parlour in the city’s opulent Guildhall.

This year’s patrons were welcomed by Hull’s Lord Mayor and Admiral of the Humber, Cllr Kalvin Neal and Lady Mayoress Cllr Tracey Neal. The Leader of Hull City Council, Cllr Mike Ross, and the Chamber’s newest Patron, the Leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Cllr Anne Handley,also took their places on the top table, along with Chamber President for 2023, Albert Weatherill.

The Lord Mayor said: “I would like to thank the Chamber for hosting this meal in the Guildhall and I would also like to thank the staff who had done a great job. I would like to wish all Chamber members a lovely Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year”.

Chamber President Albert Weatherill thanked the Chamber’s Patrons for their commitment to the Chamber and the support they give to the work it does representing the business community across the Humber. Albert said: “I joined my first ship in St Andrew’s dock and went on to spend 50 years in the shipping industry. I hope everyone will embark on a passage to prosperity in the New Year!”

Giving a vote of thanks, Cllr Mike Ross paid tribute to the Chamber for its hospitality and the table gift of a bottle of gin, which he said would please his wife, whose Christmas present he had yet to buy. The gin was supplied by Hotham’s, the city’s own artisan distillery, who also designed a bespoke label for the occasion.

Picking up on the nautical theme and hot on the heels of signing the HEY devolution deal, he said: “The winds of change are blowing, and working with Cllr Anne Handley in the East Riding, our partnership is strengthening the local economy and we will work hard to make things happen for a prosperous 2024.”

The Lord Mayor also reminded guests of some of the city’s history and traditions. “The Lord Mayor always sits opposite the clock in the Parlour so he has control of the room. The wood panelling is from the original Guildhall. This room was finished in 1917, but the panelling still has some shrapnel wounds from the war when the city was bombed.

“There are 26 Lord Mayors in England and two in Wales,” he said, before highlighting copies of the City’s Royal Charter which are displayed in frames on the walls.

If you would like to find out more about becoming a Chamber Patron, email David Hooper on d.hooper@hull-humber-chamber.co.uk or Kay Hudson on k.hudson@hull-humber-chamber.co.uk.