Every Wednesday, on Zoom, you are invited to join fellow members for a virtual Coffee Morning. This is a great opportunity to get to know fellow members in a small, friendly, relaxed group. No need to book, just turn up. All members are welcome. If you are interested in attending, please email John Spencer or Clare Ferrar for the zoom link and password. John Spencer: john@connorspencer.com Clare Ferrar: clareferrar@accountantslivery.org
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...
As the old Routemaster double-decker buses began to approach their retirement from London Transport, intelligent minds turned to the issue of what to do with all these still-working-and-well-maintained icons of our capital's street scene. One wheeze, which was widely scorned when first floated, was to convert a few of them into mobile cream tea restaurants and drive diners around some of London's most famous tourist sites. Roll forward 15 years and the cream tea buses are now a firm fixture on the London scene and it seems only right that our Company should investigate them and see what all the fuss is about! A Livery party is therefore meeting at 3.30pm (so as to avoid there rush hour) near to Victoria Bus Station and from there will be whisked away on a 90-minute tour, whilst sampling an array of scones, sandwiches, cakes and other health foods, plus of course, the obligatory teas and coffees. Tickets cost £45, dress is casual, and Members are very welcome to bring friends and family.
Stanlake Park is one of the oldest wine producers in England. Every year their 40-year-old vines give them quality, well-ripened grapes that their Italian winemaker then expertly processes to produce a wide range of wines, using a modern, international approach. The heritage estate and stunning grounds are visited by thousands of guests every year. All of them have the opportunity to learn about the challenges of grape growing in England and discover the process of winemaking, from the grape to the bottle. The 90 minute tour and tasting offers a unique behind-the-scenes view of the vineyard and winery. The tour will be led by an experienced WSET qualified guide; it is perfect for a group who is looking to learn about wine, but also to have a great time together. During your tour, you’ll visit the vineyard before heading inside the winery to see the grape-pressing area, the fermentation tanks, the barrel room, the sparkling room and the bottling line. During the tour, guests will have the opportunity to taste six different wines. For those who are likely to arrive early, the wine bar and shop will be open from 9am. Time: 12noon (90 minute tour) Tickets: £30 for the tour and tasting, or £40 to include a £10 deposit for lunch afterwards Address: Stanlake Park, Twyford, Berkshire RG10 0BN Nearest railway station: Twyford. Approximately 20 minutes’ walk to Stanlake Park. Taxi rank at station, or pre-book local cab.
Over the years, our Livery has formed a strong relationship with Middlesex County Cricket Club, taking private boxes at various County, 50-Over and T20 games, and making donations to the Club's excellent charity; Middlesex in the Community. This September, we have a private box in the iconic Tavern Stand for the third day of Middlesex County Championship match against Derbyshire. As well as being able to watch the match in some style, our party will also be able to enjoy the freedom of the ground, visit the world-famous Lord's Museum, and lunch in the iconic Pavilion. Middlesex is kindly funding box and our match-day tickets, enabling us to donate the entire £90 ticket-cost of our places to their excellent charity. So do come along for a relaxing day at the home of cricket, and support an excellent cause. Dress is jacket and tie for men and the equivalent for ladies (BTW: trousers are fine), tickets cost £90 each, and guests are extremely welcome.
Every so often a show arrives on Broadway or in the West End, which sweeps up all the awards and electrifies the theatre-going public. Obvious examples include, Les Miserables, Phantom, and Hamilton. Recently, it was the outrageous and outstanding (in equal measure) Book of Mormon. This blockbuster musical follows two mis-matched young Mormons, when they are sent to Africa to embark on their missionary work, and the chaos that follows in their wake. When it first appeared on Broadway, Mormon won all the Tony Awards, and tickets changed hands for up to three times their face value! Inevitably the show came to London soon after and here too it swept the boards, winning all the Oliviers, plus numerous other prizes. At one point, the waiting list for tickets was nearly eight months - and that was with two matinees a week! Roll forward to today, three years later, and Mormon is still "packing them in", so we are going to go along and see what all the fuss is about. Because of demand, the theatre has limited our party to just 12 tickets, but they have been kind to us over the price (The Master has friends in low places!) and once the party is booked up, those attending will be circulated about an optional, pre-theatre supper. So come along and enjoy an amazing piece of musical theatre with your livery friends and guests. Tickets cost £49, the show starts at 7.30pm and dress is smart casual.
Hosted by The Worshipful Company of Woolmen, one special day – two unique events, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the atmosphere and spirit of this wonderful occasion. A long-established charity event, celebrating a Freeman’s ancient “right” to bring sheep to market over the Thames, toll free; all in aid of raising funds for The Woolmen Charity and The Lord Mayor’s Appeal. This year’s Sheep Drive took place on Southwark Bridge. Access is restricted to registered and pre-booked Freemen of the City of London and their guests, to enable the remainder of the bridge to be open to vehicular and pedestrian traffic. Located on Queen Street and Queen Street Place, the magnificent Livery Fair offers visitors the opportunity to learn all about the Sheep Drive and the wonderful causes it supports and - where livery and specialist wool companies celebrate their trades with interactive displays and sales of their wares. Other fun activities include expert blade shearing displays and some wonderful rare breed sheep! The Sheep Drive & Livery Fair showcases the important enduring contribution of London’s livery companies, from the formation of the City of London in years gone by through to modern times, both in respect of the continuous evolution of sustainable trades and the important charitable endeavours in support of the various challenges we face today. Please see below some more details from the Woolmen: Dress code: For officers and officials, full robes and regalia with hats can be worn. However, some like to come in fancy dress e.g. Bo Peep or Shepherds. Due to the fact that the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs are present in full regalia and the event will be televised with the press and photographers present it is recommended that men wear smart weekend/country attire with jacket, ties and badges and ladies, the equivalent....
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.
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.
This year's Installation Dinner will be held at Ironmongers' Hall on Tuesday 14 October 2025. This is to celebrate the Installation of Vince O'Brien as Master, as well as Sally Orton as Senior Warden and Malcolm Bacchus as Junior Warden. Tickets: tbc Dress: Black Tie or Livery Uniform, with Badges and Decorations Time: 6.30pm Drinks Reception 7pm Dinner 10.30pm Carriages More information on tickets will follow shortly. If you have any questions or issues, please contact Clare Ferrar on clareferrar@accountantslivery.org or 07828 554967
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. 2025’s service will see the combined choirs of Westminster Cathedral, St Paul’s Cathedral and Westminster Abbey unite to perform in Westminster Abbey. Date: Wednesday 19 November 2025 Service: 11am – 12noon Lunch: 12.30pm (The Ivy, Victoria)
The market will be open on the evening of Monday 8 December 2025, with a gala drinks reception, and providing early access to all of the commercial and Livery stalls. The stalls will continue trading all day on Tuesday 9 December 2025. Founded in 1961, the Guildhall Christmas Market is one of the largest fundraising event for the British Red Cross and one of London’s most successful Christmas Markets. It is a biennial event. The gothic splendour of the Guildhall provides a truly atmospheric and memorable venue for this special event. The 2023 market raised over £135,000 for the work of the British Red Cross supporting people in crisis. The Chartered Accountants' Livery have been asked to provide a team to collect and count the cash taken by Livery stalls. If you are interested in volunteering some time during the market, then please let Vicky Andrew millcove1912@gmail.com and John Spencer john@connorspencer.com know your availability. Early bird tickets are now live until September 2025 for the exclusive opening night and dining options on market day, with £5 off general sale prices. General sale tickets for the market day are £7 each and will go on sale in September 2025.
This year we have obtained special permission to hold our Carol Service once again at the Chapel Royal of St Peter ad Vinicula within the grounds of the Tower of London. Those who attended last year will recall the spectacular festive lighting of the Tower grounds and the stunning history of this small chapel, which contains the tombs of many notable figures, including three executed Queens of England: Anne Boleyn, Catherine Howard and Lady Jane Grey, as well as the remains of St Thomas More and St John Fisher. The service will take place in the early evening and will be followed by drinks and canapés at the nearby Bakers Hall, the home of the second-oldest City Guild. For this year's Carol Service, the Chartered Accountants are joining with a fellow-member of the Financial Services Group of Liveries, the Insurers Company. After the service, Members and their guests can either leave for home, or walk to Bakers' Hall, just a few minutes away, for festive canapés and drinks Carol Service in the Chapel Royal in the Tower of London 6.30pm Drinks and Canapés at Watermen's Hall 7.30pm This is an event at which guests (including children) are most welcome. Dress: smart day wear, and given that the Tower is always cold in December - coats, hats and gloves are advisable!
