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
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!
