The Man in the Red Coat

The Man in the Red Coat Professional Event Host, Toastmaster, Auctioneer, Voice of God & so much more (one-time wizard included). He is a man of many coats, red is optional.

James uses his 30+ years of experience to lead events in person or virtually to success. James is a man of many coats, red is optional. Professional Event Host, Toastmaster, Auctioneer, Voice of God and so much more (one-time wizard included). Having deep roots from an industry and arts background in commercial and customer service, gives James a distinct advantage over most of his peers when it c

omes to being able to adapt, not just to the audience and setting, but also the varied demands of clients.

Immortalised on canvas at Furniture Makers Hall!Wearing the tasselled gown of the Beadle (red on red in this case so imp...
05/03/2025

Immortalised on canvas at Furniture Makers Hall!

Wearing the tasselled gown of the Beadle (red on red in this case so impossible to see), several photographs were taken at an event in December from which several large oil on canvass paintings were subsequently created.

I was making my way through the crowd to get final info before leading all to dinner.

I have to thank the artist as she has given me more hair than I have had for a few years! 🙂




What a top bloke.  Friendly, funny, and very self-deprecating. I cannot say that about everyone I work with, but last We...
01/03/2025

What a top bloke. Friendly, funny, and very self-deprecating.

I cannot say that about everyone I work with, but last Wednesday night was definitely one of those occasions where the celebrity I was partnered with was a delight and a gentleman to share the stage with.

If you have never been to a "formal" function, one of the traditions that is often observed is the "receiving line."This...
26/02/2025

If you have never been to a "formal" function, one of the traditions that is often observed is the "receiving line."

This is where you give your name as you wish to be announced to the toastmaster, and he projects it towards the host so they are aware of who they are about to greet.

When specific dignitaries arrive, such as The Lord Mayor of the City of London or the Sheriffs, the toastmaster announces more to the whole room rather than those in just the receiving line in an even more amplified manner.

This was last night at Mansion House in the City, where you see me dressed in "white tie and sash" as is the dress of a toastmaster at a City function.

The gentleman in the queue, by coincidence, happens to be one of my Masters, The Master Tin Plate Worker alias Wire Worker, who was a guest of the City Solicitors Company last night.

Why would you need me at your wedding? Because I can allow you to enjoy your day to the max without you worrying about h...
14/02/2025

Why would you need me at your wedding?

Because I can allow you to enjoy your day to the max without you worrying about how, when and why.

With over 300 weddings under my gavel I know what works and what doesn't as well as how to make the most out of your day.

So, go on, give me a call or WhatsApp me.

Guess what day it is tomorrow? That's right, it is Valentine's Day. A day for sending anonymous messages of love to the ...
13/02/2025

Guess what day it is tomorrow?

That's right, it is Valentine's Day.

A day for sending anonymous messages of love to the apple of your eye.

Or

A day on which to propose marriage.

Well, if it is the latter you chose to do, then at some point in the future there will be a wedding to celebrate and regardless of ethnicity or religion you will need help with making that day run smoothly.

So if you want to enjoy your wedding day rather than be stressed out by it, give me a call to find out how I can help you remember it for the right reasons.

Following on from yesterday's post, look what hit the inbox today.
10/02/2025

Following on from yesterday's post, look what hit the inbox today.



Do you want to have a great time at your wedding? Well there is a chance you will whatever. However, why leave it to cha...
09/02/2025

Do you want to have a great time at your wedding?

Well there is a chance you will whatever.

However, why leave it to chance, especially when you invest so much in such an important celebration.

So don't leave it to chance and get The Man in the Red Coat to help make your day memorable for all the right reasons.

Relax, enjoy and party.


They are beginning to land.... I am delighted to say that enquiries for my charity fundraising services of either host, ...
07/02/2025

They are beginning to land....

I am delighted to say that enquiries for my charity fundraising services of either host, auctioneer, or both have already taken off for this year.

I helped various charities raise over £1m last year and am looking forward to helping raise even more this year.

If you are planning a fundraiser or know of someone who is, and help is needed, please don't hesitate to get in touch as I would love to learn how I can help out best.

The overseer of the Master's domain. The Courtroom. My thanks once again to  for his skill and his company.  A terrific ...
03/02/2025

The overseer of the Master's domain. The Courtroom.

My thanks once again to for his skill and his company.

A terrific evening was to follow for the Worshipful Company of Marketors.

Travelling light? I don't think so..... This is what forms part being a peripatetic Livery Beadle's job description. I w...
30/01/2025

Travelling light? I don't think so.....
This is what forms part being a peripatetic Livery Beadle's job description.
I was jolly glad of the assistance of the trolley, the Vintners Hall staff, and, of course, several of London's finest cabbies.
I am glad to say that all was used and appreciated at was a wonderful installation court and banquet for the Worshipful Company of Marketors.

A truly fine occasion befitting of the Company's 50th year.

I was working in the City yesterday, and this was my fabulous cabbie  #49090 who helped me load, move, and unload 16 ite...
30/01/2025

I was working in the City yesterday, and this was my fabulous cabbie #49090 who helped me load, move, and unload 16 items in her cab, some of which were jolly heavy.

It is lovely to find someone with such a wonderful smile, working so hard to make people's lives easier.

The occasion was me working as Beadle and Toastmaster to the Worshipful Company of Marketors who held their installation at the wonderful Vintners Hall on the corner of Southwark Bridge and Upper Thames Street.

More about that later.....

Have you ever wondered how it is best to throw confetti 🎊?Having led over 280 weddings in the last 12 years, I know what...
22/01/2025

Have you ever wondered how it is best to throw confetti 🎊?

Having led over 280 weddings in the last 12 years, I know what works best, not just about throwing confetti, but how to allow you to enjoy your wedding day in the best possible fashion.

You might think having a toastmaster is a bit odd at your wedding. It's just some person dressed in red making a few announcements, isn't it?

No, it's not. It is so much more.

The majority of couples of the weddings I ran last year used the phrase "a necessity." Why? Because I remove much of the stress of a wedding.

You invest so much in your celebration. Wouldn't it be brilliant if you not only got the full value out of all you and crucially your suppliers put in, but you were able to relax enough to really enjoy it too. After all, it is supposed to be one of the best days of your life.

So don't leave it to chance. Get in touch and find out how I, with all my experience, can really make a difference to your wedding day.

As for the way I am dressed, it helps me look different from everyone else, and therefore, I am easily identifiable. Ultimately, though, if you want looking a bit more to your liking, that is easy to arrange.

Photo by

Now let me tell you a secret...... I may be the best wedding toastmaster but.....  is a cracking wedding photographer! T...
21/01/2025

Now let me tell you a secret...... I may be the best wedding toastmaster but.....

is a cracking wedding photographer!

Thoroughly recommended by The Man in the Red Coat. 😉



Another company, another gown. This time, the colours of Blue on Black making a very striking Beadle's gown for the Wors...
20/01/2025

Another company, another gown.

This time, the colours of Blue on Black making a very striking Beadle's gown for the Worshipful Company of Upholders. (Upholsterers)

I was pleased to assist with Court and Dinner last week at Watermans' Hall.

It was a wonderful evening with a Scottish flavour, with excellent music from , great speeches, and terrific food from .

My thanks to the Clerk for engaging me. I hope I get the chance again in the future.

#

As a professionally trained Toastmaster one the privileges afforded me is the chance to work in some of the most wonderf...
19/01/2025

As a professionally trained Toastmaster one the privileges afforded me is the chance to work in some of the most wonderful and historic buildings in the country and this also includes those in the City of London where I can be found regularly in either The Guildhall or Mansion House.

So why am I dressed as what looks like a deposed president of some small South American country?

This is because in the City, Toastmasters don't wear red tales, but black ("white tie") with a sash in the colours of the City of London Corporation instead.



Twelfth night announces the end of the feast of Christmas. The kings have finally arrived! But during the 12 days follow...
06/01/2025

Twelfth night announces the end of the feast of Christmas. The kings have finally arrived!

But during the 12 days following the birth of Christ, as the song goes, "my true love gave to me" many gifts including "fiiiive gollllld rinnngs!"

However, what has become more common is the giving on around day 6 of a single ring, not necessarily made of gold, to propose an engagement and normally accompanied by the words " will you marry me?"

So if on New Year's Eve you were lucky enough to get engaged and you would like the best of days when you come to celebrate your marriage please get in touch and I will tell you how I can make all the difference to ensure that your wedding is one to remember for all the right reasons.









... 12 ships a launching 11 Conferences led 10 Awards a'Given 9 Mansion Houses 8 Weddings Wondered 7 Galas Gavelled 6 Di...
05/01/2025

... 12 ships a launching
11 Conferences led
10 Awards a'Given
9 Mansion Houses
8 Weddings Wondered
7 Galas Gavelled
6 Dinners Dined
5 Mmmm Cccccs
4 Auctioneers
3 Cheeky "Toasties"
2 Babbling Beadles ... and The Help To Make Me HAP..PY

In the 12 years I have been qualified as a professional Toastmaster and the 14 years I have been a corporate events host I have to admit I have not overseen the launching of a new ship. However, I am qualified to do so if you need one launched!

The twelve days have been fun, though. It made me think of the variety and fun I have working with people from all different walks of life in so many different circumstances.

Whatever event you might be planning, it helps to have someone with the presence and skill to run it smoothly and give it the best impact. That is what I do. So please don't hesitate to get in touch.

I hope 2025 is great for all of us.



 
 



 

 

 

 
 

This closes the 12 days of hosting.

My thanks to Joe Green for the picture

https://unsplash.com/photos/two-white-metal-air-vents-during-daytime-dh5ftxOo7UE?utm_content=creditShareLink&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash

... 11 Conferences Led10 Awards a' Given 9 Mansion Houses 8 Weddings Wondered 7 Galas Gavelled 6 Dinners Dined 5 Mmmm Cc...
04/01/2025

... 11 Conferences Led
10 Awards a' Given
9 Mansion Houses
8 Weddings Wondered
7 Galas Gavelled
6 Dinners Dined
5 Mmmm Cccccs
4 Auctioneers
3 Cheeky "Toasties"
2 Babbling Beadles
And the help to make me hap..py!

Variety is the spice of life they say, and my work is spicy!

One day as a Toastmaster it could be a dinner or wedding, the next day it could as an auctioneer raising funds for charity, and then on the day after that I could be fronting a conference, keeping it to time, introducing speakers, and moderating panel discussions.

I won't say this is easy, but in the words of Miranda's Mum.... "Such Fun!"



 
 



 

 

 

 

Address

7 Stanstead Grove
London
SE64UD

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