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“Glorious First of June” Lunch

Leander Club Nr henley Bridge, Henley On Thames, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom

Our Master is a naval man and thus the great British sea victory on this day in 1794 against the nascent fleet of the new French revolutionary republic is imprinted firmly on his mind. He is taking this key date as an ideal excuse to lead us to a convivial lunch at the world-famous Leander Rowing Club, on the banks of the Thames, hard by Henley Bridge. The Club has a splendid, light-filled dining room overlooking the river, with its own private car park opposite the front gate, and the whole occasion promises to be great fun. Our principal guest for the day will be Sheriff Chris Hayward, who will be joining us with his wife, Alex, and will be talking to us about how the Corporation is supporting the City Commercial as it reopens, and where the pinch points have been during the pandemic. Then, after lunch, we can all enjoy a gentle stroll along the towpath by the banks of that beautiful stretch of river. Guests are most welcome and dress is jacket and tie for gentlemen (no jeans) and the equivalent for Ladies. The Club opens for us at 12.30pm and we dine at 1pm.

£50.00

Mayoral Election Day Lunch

Guildhall Gresham Street, London, United Kingdom

After the historic ceremonial of the Mayoral Election during the morning, the Master always leads a party of Company Members and their guests up to the splendid Aldermen's Dining Room at the top of Guildhall for a private Drinks Reception and Lunch. There is a roof terrace up there, where we enjoy our drinks before the meal and the cooks then always provide a delicious Lunch for us in the dining room.

£75.00

Past Masters’ and Past Consorts’ Meetings and Lunch

Innholders' Hall 30 College Street, London, United Kingdom

This is the occasion at which the Master provides a report to their predecessors, who give private guidance on issues of the day. The Masters' Consort does much the same with those who have gone before, and then everyone meets up for a Lunch. Those currently in the chair find the process and the discrete feedback and advice they receive to be very valuable, and those who attend greatly enjoy the day and contributing to the ongoing development of their Livery Company. This year, the venue is the lovely Innholders' Hall, down near the river at the foot of Dowgate Hill. Dress is smart business attire and the ticket price is calculated in arrears and billed accordingly.

Free

United Guilds Service

St Paul's Cathedral St Paul's Churchyard, London, United Kingdom

SORRY: This event sold out in just four days! At a meeting of the City’s Livery Companies in 1943, it was decided to hold a Service in St Paul’s Cathedral, to lift the spirits of the City after the Blitz, which had only recently ended, having wrought such devastation on the capital in particular. This has now become an annual event, held in the presence of the Bishop of London, the Lord Mayor, Sheriffs and Aldermen, and is one of the few occasions where the Liveries and Guilds all worship together. Admission is by ticket only. We always take a party to the service, usually using our full allocation of places. The service starts at 11.30am (though we have to be seated before then) and after it ends at about 12.30pm, we and lots of other Liveries and Guilds walk the short distance to the lovely Plaisterers’ Hall for a drinks reception followed by what is always a pretty lively, three-course Lunch. We are usually allocated 23 places, but I haven’t been told this year’s number. Members can bring one guest, and bookings will be honoured on a first-come-first-served basis. The UGS is naturally free (The Company makes a donation centrally, and there is the usual collection during the service.), and places at the lunch afterwards cost £89 each, inc Vat. SORRY: This event sold out in just four days!

£89.00

Lord Mayor’s Big Curry Lunch

Guildhall Gresham Street, London, United Kingdom

This annual City institution has grown over the years until it is now quite the largest and swankiest Curry Lunch one is every likely to attend, and very much a sight to be seen. Tickets cost £100 and for that we get a drinks reception in the Old Library at Guildhall and then move through into the Great Hall, where teams of chefs man a series of serveries, with a mouth-watering series of curries laid out on them, along with the usual accompaniments. We always take a party, so book your place(s) here and then we can all coordinate over timings, as the event itself runs from Noon to 3pm, with various time slots on offer.

£100.00

Little Yang Sing Lunch in Manchester

Little Yang Sing restaurant 17 George Street, Manchester

You may recall that two years ago Master Lindsay was going to celebrate her northern roots with a lunch at the Yang Sing restaurant in Manchester. The pandemic intervened and the event was postponed. We now have a new date and Hilary and current Master Estlin will be delighted if you can join them both on Friday 22nd April at the Little Yang Sing Restaurant (the Yang Sing is being refurbished), in Manchester's celebrated Chinatown. ‘The restaurant offers the best traditional Cantonese cuisine in the North West’ says one of the many glowing reviews. Tickets will be £69 each for a Chinese Banquet with drinks before, during and after the lunch. The venue is available to us from 12:30pm to 4:00pm

£69.00

Shrieval Election and Lunch at Guildhall

Guildhall Gresham Street, London, United Kingdom

Twice a year, the City of London Corporation’s Common Hall is transformed from a standard local authority meeting on civic issues, into a day of great ceremony. Each autumn Liverymen elect the next year’s Lord Mayor and every summer, it’s the turn of the two Sheriffs. The Shrieval election ceremony starts at noon (There is no admission after 11.45am.) and ends around 12.30-12.45pm. Dress is lounge suit for men and smart day wear for ladies. After Common Hall, most Liveries go home, but our Master always hosts a private Reception and Lunch. We go up to Guildhall’s roof terrace on the fourth floor for the Reception and then into the Aldermen’s Dining Room for lunch. The day is very much one for partners and guests too. This year, as an extra, it has been possible to secure some places at the annual Armed Forces Flag Raising in Guildhall Yard. For those who would like to stay on to see it, this takes place at 3.15pm, lasts about 30 minutes, and is rather a nice sign of respect for our military from the City. Common Hall and the Flag Raising are free, and this year the Lunch costs £75. The Dining Room only holds 28 guests, so places will have to be allocated on as first-come-first-served basis.

£75.00

Mayoral Election Day Lunch

Guildhall Club Guildhall Club, Guildhall West Wing, Gresham St, London, London, United Kingdom

After the historic ceremony of the Mayoral Election during the morning, the Master invites Company Members and their guests to join him upstairs in the Guildhall Club for a private Drinks Reception and Lunch. Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy drinks on the roof terrace before moving into the Aldermen's Dining Room for lunch. After lunch, guests are welcome to move back out onto the roof terrace to view the events going on in the square below. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tickets: £75 Tickets are limited to 28 Dress code: Lounge suit, Smart day wear Please click below to book or contact Clare Ferrar on clareferrar@accountantslivery.org or 07828 554967    

£75.00

Festival of St. Cecilia Service and Lunch

Westminster Abbey 20 Deans Yard, Westminster, London, United Kingdom

Join together at Westminster Abbey to celebrate the value of music. The Festival of St. Cecilia has been the flagship event in Help Musicians’ calendar since 1946. It is a key moment for us to come together to celebrate what music brings to all of us, and to mark the contribution that musicians make to our lives. This year, the combined choirs of Westminster Abbey, Westminster Cathedral and St Paul’s Cathedral will unite to perform under the direction of James O’Donnell, the Abbey’s Organist and Master of Choristers. The service will premiere a specially created anthem by composer, Nico Muhly, and we are privileged to welcome Help Musicians Ambassador Lesley Garrett CBE and Musicians Company Master Jeff Kelly for spoken contributions. The service will also include music from clarinettist Josh Pyman, who the charity has supported. The service will be held at Westminster Abbey on Wednesday 23 November 2022, starting at 11am, and will be followed by an optional lunch. More details of how to book coming soon.  

Past Masters’ and Consorts’ Meeting and Lunch

Please note this event is invite only An annual event with a meeting of the current Master, Wardens and the Past Masters, a meeting of their Consorts, all followed by lunch. This year's event takes place in the Guildhall Club with lunch being held in the lovely, wood-panelled Private Members' Dining Room. Dress: Smart Business Attire Invitations have gone out for this event If you think you should have received an invitation and you haven't, please contact Clare Ferrar on clareferrar@accountantslivery.org or 07828 554967    

Brize Norton – Flight and Lunch

RAF Brize Norton, Carterton OX18 3LX RAF Brize Norton, Caterton

Our SMiLO has organised a rare flying visit with 47 Squadron to mark the long association between the Company and our affiliated unit. As the Squadron is to be disbanded in 30 June 2023, this is not only a rare flying opportunity, but the last one. The visit will include welcome coffee, flight briefing, a flight (probably to the Severn estuary and perhaps a simulated beach landing - all subject to weather and ATC ), followed by a light lunch in the Officer’s Mess. Please respond to Clare on clareferrar@accountantslivery.org by Friday 12 May at 12noon. If there are more than 20 applicants there will be a ballot for places, and a reserve list.

Shrieval Election and Lunch

Twice a year, the City of London Corporation’s Common Hall is transformed from a standard local authority meeting on civic issues, into a day of great ceremony. Click here for more history and information. Each autumn Liverymen elect the next year’s Lord Mayor and every summer, it’s the turn of the two Sheriffs. After Common Hall, many Liveries go home, but the Master Chartered Accountant hosts a private Reception and Lunch in the Aldermen's Dining Room. We go up to Guildhall’s roof terrace on the fourth floor for the Reception and then into the Dining Room for lunch. Partners and guests are very welcome and will be able to have coffee and explore the Guildhall Gallery while Liverymen are attending the Election Ceremony. 11.30am - Coffee 11.45am - All attending the Election Ceremony must be seated 12noon - Shrieval Election Ceremony 12.45pm - Drinks in the Aldermen's Dining Room 1.15pm - Lunch in the Aldermen's Dining Room Dress: lounge suit or smart day wear Tickets: £80

£80.00

Summer Lunch

Watermen's Hall St-Mary-at-Hill, London, United Kingdom

Following the success of last year's Summer Lunch in the lovely Barber Surgeons' Hall, another lunch is planned for Friday 11 August at Watermen's Hall. Watermen's Hall, in the East of the City, is extremely historic, with lots of interesting features and exhibits, while being surprisingly intimate as well. The atmosphere at this Lunch is deliberately more country garden party than formal City Civic event - dress is jacket and tie for gentlemen, with similarly smart casual for ladies. Attendees will enjoy a relaxed drinks reception and then lunch in the company of the Immediate Past Lord Mayor, the always-charming Vincent Keaveny, who should have been the Company's guest at the Charter Anniversary Banquet last year. This event is extremely guest- and partner-friendly so do book up and bring a party. Tickets: £96 incl VAT Dress: Smart Casual, Jacket & Tie Time: 12:30 Drinks Reception, 1pm Lunch Please book below where possible Alternatively conatct Clare Ferrar on clareferrar@accountantslivery.org  

£96.00

Mayoral Election and Lunch

Guildhall Club Guildhall Club, Guildhall West Wing, Gresham St, London, London, United Kingdom

After the historic ceremony of the Mayoral Election during the morning, the Master invites Company Members and their guests to join him upstairs in the Guildhall Club for a private Drinks Reception and Lunch. Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy drinks on the roof terrace before moving into the Aldermen's Dining Room for lunch. After lunch, guests are welcome to move back out onto the roof terrace to view the events going on in the square below. 12.30pm: Drinks Reception 1pm: Lunch in the Aldermen's Dining Room Tickets: £80 Please book below if possible Dress code: Lounge suit, Smart day wear Please book below if possible Alternatively contact Clare Ferrar on clareferrar@accountantslivery.org or 07828 554967

£80.00

Bank of England Economic Outlook with Lunch

Chartered Accountants’ Hall One Moorgate Place, London, United Kingdom

Speaker Rob Elder – Agent Bank of England The last year has been one of considerable interest. The Ukraine war which was just underway when we had our previous talk in May last year is still underway. Economic turmoil has spread throughout Europe and beyond. Rob will give us the Bank of England’s View in person in the Members Room over lunch 1.30pm-3.30pm Tickets: £65 This includes the talk, a two-course lunch, a glass of wine and coffee Time: 1.30pm-3.30pm Location: The Members' Room, Chartered Accountants' Hall, One Moorgate Place Place are limited to 24, so please book early to avoid disappointment.

£65.00

Summer Lunch 2024

Haberdashers' Hall 18 W Smithfield, London

This year's Summer Lunch will take place at Haberdashers' Hall. This modern hall was opened in 2002 by Queen Elizabeth and features a courtyard and orangery perfect for summer drinks. The atmosphere at this Lunch is deliberately more country garden party than formal City Civic event - dress is jacket and tie for gentlemen, with similarly smart casual for ladies. This event is extremely guest- and partner-friendly so do book up and bring a party. Tickets: £96 incl VAT Dress: Smart Casual, Jacket & Tie Time: 12:30 Drinks Reception, 1pm Lunch Please book below where possible Alternatively conatct Clare Ferrar on clareferrar@accountantslivery.org

£96.00

Bank of England Lunch 2024

Chartered Accountants’ Hall One Moorgate Place, London, United Kingdom

THE CURRENT ECONOMIC OUTLOOK - The view from the Bank of England Speaker Rob Elder – Bank of England Agent Bank of England Agents are shadowy figures who each "farms their patch", talking constantly and discretely to businesses large and small, to see how the economy is doing from their perspective, what the pinch points are and also the threats and opportunities. The Agents then convert all this raw information into considered intelligence, which is fed back into the Bank's assessment process, for a whole range of policy decisions. Agents do not talk publicly about their work, but we have friends in low places, and so are delighted to welcome Rob Elder back to CAH once again, to speak to a small number of us, strictly under the Chatham House Rule, to give the Bank of England’s view on the economic year ahead. We are in a period of turmoil and fluctuation, with elections in both the UK and USA, coupled with the ongoing crises in the Middle East and the Ukraine war, which are all resulting in major trends and changes across Europe. There is thus much to hear about from the Bank of England, and shrewd questions to be asked of Bob. Especially if you haven't been before, this is not an event not be missed, and very much one for "the bucket list"! We meet in the Members Room at 1.15pm, and the meeting and meal will finishing at about 3.30pm. Date: Tuesday 22 October Time: 1.15pm - 3.30pm Tickets: £68.50 to include a two-course lunch and a glass of wine

£68.50

Help Musicians’ Festival of St Cecilia 2024 and Lunch

St Paul's Cathedral St Paul's Churchyard, London, United Kingdom

Help Musicians’ annual celebration of music The Festival of St. Cecilia has been the flagship event in Help Musicians’ calendar since 1946. It is a key moment for us to come together to celebrate what music brings to all of us, and to mark the contribution that musicians make to our lives. 2024’s service will see the combined choirs of Westminster Cathedral, St Paul’s Cathedral and Westminster Abbey unite to perform under the direction of Andrew Carwood MBE, Director of Music at St Paul’s Cathedral. This year’s service will feature the premiere of a specially created anthem by Heloise Werner, who has been supported by Help Musicians, and we are thrilled to present a highly anticipated performance by pianist and Help Musicians Ambassadors, Isata Kanneh-Mason. Date: Wednesday 20 November Service: 11am – 12noon Lunch: 12.30pm (Cote Brasserie)

Free – £80.00

Visit to Gunmakers’ Hall and Testing Labs, plus Christmas Lunch back at CAH

Gunmakers' Hall 48-50 Commercial Road, London, United Kingdom

The general public has no idea that behind the quiet façade of Gunmakers' Hall, just north-east of the City, hides the nation’s secret testing labs for all illegal and counterfeit firearms, which are seized in the UK. Unsurprisingly, this fascinating facility is never open to them, but the Gunmakers' Company, which owns and manages it on behalf of the nation, is discretely allowing up to ten of us to tour it, on condition nothing is said thereafter, and no photos are taken. We will meet outside their Hall at 10.45am, ready to go through security, at 11am. The tour itself will include not only the labs and a briefing from one of the staff, but also, oddly, a visit to see their pet snail, which is the world's largest - goodness knows how it ended up living (and apparently thriving!) at Gunmakers! Once the tour is over, we will all jump into a couple of cabs and go to our Hall, where the staff have laid on a full Christmas Lunch for us, down in the Club, with all the trimmings. For security reasons, and because the labs are a working environment in which space is limited, our numbers for this event are restricted to just 10, so Members are asked not to bring more than one guest.

£59.00

Visit to London Silver Vaults and Lunch

London Silver Vaults 53-64 Chancery Ln, London

Please note, this date has moved from 20 February to 7 January. The London Silver Vaults is one of those hidden gems, which came about entirely by chance, but now serves a pivotal role in its area, and if it hadn't existed, would probably have had to be invented! Many years ago a property developer acquired a plot in Chancery Lane, and due to the unstable nature of that bit of ground, was told by the planners that he had to use foundations two floors deep. Noting “the site’s proximity to the offices of all those wealthy lawyers, who infest the area” he decided to make a virtue of necessity and rather than using normal foundations, actually build in two levels of basements, and fill the lower one with a series of bank-grade vaults, which he would rent out to said lawyers. The scheme worked for a while, but slowly word spread and, little by little, leading London silver-smiths and jewellers began to rent vaults as a store for their stock. Their numbers grew, and inevitably, they began trading items, first between themselves, and then with the wider silver retail community. Today, the LSV are the nation’s leading silver wholesale market and quite a sight to see. Happily, one of the Master’s friends is Simon Surtees, son of the famous racing driver of yesteryear, John. After retiring from the track, John went into the silver business and Simon now runs the family firm, based primarily in the LSV. Simon has offered to give a dozen members and guests a private tour of the vaults, after which, our fine Clerk says that she knows a fantastic pub to which our party can repair for lunch. The Vaults building can be found at 53-64 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1QS. (The entrance to...

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£20.00

Lord Mayor’s Big Curry Lunch – Sold Out

Guildhall Gresham Street, London, United Kingdom

Originally described by some wags as "The City of London's hottest annual event", this now enormous annual charity fundraiser began back in 2008 on a very small scale. Hosted by the Lord Mayor, over the years it has grown and grown, until today it takes over the whole of Guildhall and raises going on half a million pounds annually. At its core, the Lunch demonstrates the City’s support for members of His Majesty’s Armed Forces and veterans, through the three National Service Charities: The Army Benevolent Fund, The Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity and The Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund. It does this via a huge curry lunch, held in a packed Great Hall, plus a silent auction for some pretty splendid lots, held in the Old Library. The Master is going to the 2pm sitting and invites up to nine members and their guests to join him. As well as being delicious, the whole occasion is very much "A sight to see" - certainly, you won't be able to watch over 300 people, all guzzling curry in shifts, anywhere else! Tickets cost £110 and were allocated on a "first-come-first-served basis".

£110.00

Pride and Prejudice (Sort of!)

Watford Palace Theatre 20 Clarendon Road, Watford

Our Livery has a history of organising visits to leading theatrical events, many of which have won national awards. This show is one of those. Direct from its triumph in the West End where it won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Comedy, and the similar Evening Standard Award, amongst other prizes, Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of), is a unique and audacious retelling of Jane Austen’s most iconic love story. Men, money and microphones are fought over in this irreverent but affectionate adaptation, where the stakes couldn’t be higher when it comes to romance. The critics universally hailed it and typical reviews included:: "This smart, laugh out loud funny show” (Daily Telegraph), "Riotously funny ... gloriously entertaining ... frankly sensational" (Variety), "Faithful to the book, it's also a raucously irreverent romp" (Daily Mail), "It's a blast: Austen turbocharged with utter theatrical audacity" (The i), "Profoundly joyous" (Glasgow Herald) and "Layer upon layer of brilliance" (The Scotsman). The show  also features a string of classic songs, suitably woven into the storyline, and what is amazing is that the entire tale is told by five energetic young women, supported by an very suitable set and an array of props, including a pantomime horse, a floor mop and some marigold rubber gloves! We have booked some of the best seats in the house for the Saturday matinee performance on 24th May at 2.30pm, and will gather beforehand at 12.30pm at the highly-regarded Il Pelligrino restaurant, which is about 100 yards from the theatre, for a nice lunch. There are only eight tickets available, and guests are welcome, so early booking is advisable.

£90.00

Shrieval Election and Lunch 2025, with former Sheriff Andrew Marsden

Guildhall Club Guildhall Club, Guildhall West Wing, Gresham St, London, London, United Kingdom

Twice a year, the City of London Corporation’s Common Hall is transformed from a standard local authority meeting on civic issues, into a day of great ceremony. Click here for more history and information. Each autumn, Liverymen elect the next year’s Lord Mayor and every summer, it’s the turn of the two Sheriffs. After Common Hall, many Liveries go home, but the Master Chartered Accountant hosts a private Reception and Lunch in the Aldermen's Dining Room. We go up to Guildhall’s roof terrace on the fourth floor for the Reception and then into the Dining Room for lunch. This summer, we will all be delighted to welcome former Sheriff, Past Master Marketor and former FSG Chairman, Andrew Marsden, as our Principal Guest. Andrew will talk to us after the meal about what happens to you, if lucky enough to be elected Sheriff, between that election and when you actually emerge, blinking into the light, as a shiny new Sheriff in September. Happily, Andrew has promised to be highly indiscrete! Partners and guests are very welcome and will be able to have coffee and explore the Guildhall Gallery, while Liverymen are attending the Election Ceremony.   11.30am - Coffee 11.45am - All attending the Election Ceremony must be seated 12noon - Shrieval Election Ceremony 12.45pm - Drinks in the Aldermen's Dining Room 1.15pm - Lunch in the Aldermen's Dining Room Dress: lounge suit or smart day wear Tickets: £98, for Drinks Reception and Lunch

£98.00

Trip to the Proms, Lunch and Tour of the Royal Albert Hall – Sold Out

Royal Albert Hall Kensington Gore, South Kensington, London, United Kingdom

This singular social event on Saturday, 2nd August, has been some nine months in the planning and the Master had all but given up on it, when he received a confirmatory phone call this morning. (Tuesday, the 22nd - somewhat short notice!) The world-famous annual round of concerts known as "The Proms" is a great British summer institution, and made all the more so by the fascinating building in which they are held. Built by private subscription from 1867 to 1871, The Royal Albert Hall is an amazing, circular, covered amphitheatre, overlooking Kensington Gardens, just along from Knightsbridge. Today, the Proms apart, it hosts many of the most amazing public shows, circuses, concerts and spectacles (Tennis, anyone?) in London's annual calendar. The Master has managed to bag three things which make a visit there truly memorable, namely: 1   11am tickets to a top concerts in this year's Proms programme - called Viennese Whirl; 2.  A 1.15pm table for lunch in "Verdi", the Albert Hall's famous Italian restaurant on the first floor; and 3.  A 3pm tour of the Hall itself. Sadly, there are only eight places on this amazing day out, and two of them have already gone, so the remaining six are available on a first-come-first-served basis. In the interests of fairness, you can only bring one guest. The concert will showcase the world's most famous Viennese Waltzes, the lunch should be delicious (We'll do some bistro mathematics for the bill!), and the backstage tour is fascinating. So come and enjoy a real 'bucket list" outing on Saturday, 2nd August. Dress is smart casual.  

£95.00

Summer Lunch at Lord’s Cricket Ground

Lord's Cricket Ground St John's Wood Road, London

Lord's, in leafy St John's Wood, is the spiritual home of the cricketing world. Owned and managed by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), the iconic ground boasts some pretty amazing architecture, including the ornate Victorian-era Pavilion, which dominates one end of the field. Many Members are avid cricket followers and regular visitors there, but even for those who are not, a trip to Lord's is to enter a different and extremely interesting world. We are going as guests of the MCC on a day when no matches are being played,  so we should have the place largely to ourselves. We will start with a tour of the ground and then of the Lord's Museum, which houses the original Ashes Urn, amongst many other treasures, before repairing to the Writing Room, overlooking the main cricket square, for lunch. The meal will be the usual three courses, with all the trimmings, and our guest speaker will be the famous England international bowler and latterly, England selector, Angus Fraser. Gus played 87 times for England, and remains the all-time most successful bowler in the West Indies, which was quite a feat when one recalls that in his era it was home to the most fearsome team on the international circuit. Gus was also a long-time giant of the Middlesex County team which included such other greats as Mike Brearley, Andrew Strauss, Mike Gatting, and Phil Edmonds. He followed up his stellar England career by first Captaining the County and then, after a spell as cricket correspondent for The Independent, serving as a highly successful Director of Cricket for 12 years, during which he won an especially nail-biting County Championship final in 2016. Today, Gus is Director of the cricketing charity, Middlesex in the Community, which the Livery has long supported. He will be...

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Sheep Drive, Craft Fair and Lunch – Sold Out

London Bridge and The Little Ship Club

This long-established City fundraiser celebrates a Freeman’s ancient right to bring flocks of sheep over the Thames and into the City's market at Smithfield. This year’s sheep drive takes place on Southwark Bridge, which will close for the day, and as well as the opportunity to drive a small flock of sheep over the bridge (for which you get an official certificate), there is also a craft fair and lunch at a nearby restaurant. Places are hard to come by (It's a "bucket list' thing.), but Clare's managed to secure ten, for the 10.37am slot, so book in and join the Master in experiencing this unique event. (Nobody will believe you when you tell them what you've done!) You can also bring friends and family (anyone over five years old), who get a slightly different certificate, and fancy dress is optional - needless to say, there are usually lots of young Bo Peeps skipping around! Dress is anything from entirely casual, right up to full morning dress, with badges and gowns.

£70.00

Mayoral Election and Lunch 2025

Guildhall Club Guildhall Club, Guildhall West Wing, Gresham St, London, London, United Kingdom

After the historic ceremony of the Mayoral Election during the morning, the Master invites Company Members and their guests, along with some FSG Masters and their Clerks, to join him upstairs in the Guildhall Club for a private Drinks Reception and Lunch. Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy drinks out on the roof terrace before moving into the Aldermen’s Dining Room for lunch. At the Shrieval Election Day Lunch, we heard from former Sheriff Andrew Marsden about what happens behind the scenes, between when Sheriffs are elected and the day they take office. It was very revealing and clearly quite a scramble! We are following the same plan at this September's Mayoral Election Day Lunch, when our Guest of Honour will be former Lord Mayor, Sir David Wootton, who will explain how the year leading up to their entry into Mansion House, typically unfolds for an incoming Lord Mayor. David is an excellent speaker and like Andrew did, has agreed to take questions, under the Chatham House Rule. After lunch, guests are welcome to move back out onto the roof terrace to view the events going on in the square below. 11.30am - Coffee 11.45am - All attending the Election Ceremony must be seated 12noon - Mayoral Election Ceremony 1pm - Drinks in the Aldermen's Dining Room 1.30pm - Lunch in the Aldermen's Dining Room Dress code: Morning dress or lounge suit for men and smart day wear for ladies. Tickets: £99 Please book below where possible  

£99.00

Visit to the UK’s only working Swordsmithy – Sold Out

Pooley Sword Highdown House, Shoreham Airport, West Sussex

Pooley Swords, run by Robert Pooley, who was our speaker at the House of Commons, is the only working smithy in the country. The specialists there make and maintain pretty much all these edged weapons in existence in the UK today. Recently, they made two ceremonial swords for us - one for Special Forces Support Group and then just this month, one for our new RAF Affiliated Unit, the RAF Regiment's elite No. II Squadron. Robert and his team have kindly invited six of us to go down and see them working. The visit will encompass the design studio, the manufacturing facility, where the blades and pommels are made, and then the etching and finishing department, where those customers who wish, can have their swords turned into steel works of art. Because of the nature of the smithy, there are only six places on the tour, and one of those has already gone. We are due at Pooley's at 2pm, so those who wish, can join me at noon for a lunch in the nearby Enzo Fiore Italian Restaurant (6/7 Queensway, Lancing, BN15 9AY), which is well-regarded locally, and less than a mile away. (We will share the meal cost between us on the day.) There is parking at both locations. Dress is smart casual and this should be a fascinating tour of the only smithy in our country still practising this ancient craft.

£70.00

Behind the scenes at Holborn Tube Station – Two returns available

Holborn Underground Station Corner of Gate Street & Kingsway, London

For something slightly different, a party of just nine members and guests will meet at the famous Holborn Tube Station at 10.55am on Wednesday, 8th October, before stepping through a concealed door into the third of the station that's been hidden for 30 years. Originally opened in 1906 as a complex of four platforms to serve the Piccadilly line, Holborn played a pivotal role in transforming the surrounding area from a place of ill repute into a prime business district. Our guide will show us the secret corridors, two disused platforms of the Aldwych branch, the Aldwych crossover, and the tracks that lead to the now-closed Aldwych Tube station. We will also discover how the disused parts of the station have been put to surprising uses over the years, from scientific laboratories, to wartime shelters for staff and even a model rail club. Holborn's hidden spaces have also been the backdrop to notable music videos and films, including Aqua’s Turn Back Time and the recent Superman. The tour will last about an hour and a half and we will then repair to the nearby, award-winning Isolabella Restaurant, for a light lunch. (We'll split the bill on the day). Places cost £49 each and dress is entirely casual. Comfy walking shoes are advisable, and although we will not be covering huge distances, this event is not really suitable for those with mobility issues.

£49.00

Help Musicians’ Festival of St Cecilia 2025 and Lunch

Westminster Abbey 20 Deans Yard, Westminster, London, United Kingdom

Help Musicians’ annual celebration of music Join us for this year’s Festival of St Cecilia, a celebration that honours St Cecilia, the patroness of music, and the musicians who enrich our lives. This year, the service will be held at Westminster Abbey on Wednesday 19 November at 11:00 am, followed by an optional lunch in the private dining room at The Ivy, Victoria. Under the expert direction of Andrew Nethsingha, Director of Music at Westminster Abbey the combined choirs of Westminster Abbey, St Paul’s Cathedral, and Westminster Cathedral will reunite to perform once again. This years’ service will feature the premiere of a specially created anthem by Piers Connor Kennedy, along with a special performance to be confirmed at a later date. Help Musicians relies on vital funds to support musicians across the UK. While tickets to the service are complimentary, we warmly encourage guests to make a donation when booking. 100% of every donation will directly support the thousands of musicians who need our help every year. We hope you will be able to join us for this special occasion. Date: Wednesday 19 November 2025 Service: 11am – 12noon Lunch: 12.30pm (The Ivy, Victoria) £80

Economic Outlook from the Bank of England with Lunch

Guildhall Club Guildhall Club, Guildhall West Wing, Gresham St, London, London, United Kingdom

THE CURRENT ECONOMIC OUTLOOK – The view from the Bank of England Speaker Rob Elder – Bank of England Agent Rob is responsible for the Bank’s liaison with the London business community, and has a good insight into how interest rates are set by the Bank, and the views of business. We are delighted to welcome Rob Elder back once again, to speak to a small number of us, strictly under the Chatham House Rule, to give the Bank of England’s view on the economic year ahead. Date: Tuesday 25 November Time: 1.15pm - 3.30pm (incl Q&A) Location: Member's Private Dining Room, the Guildhall Club Tickets: £79 to include a two-course lunch and a glass of wine