NEWSLETTER ~ FEBRUARY 2010

In August the Master arranged a very interesting walk around the City entitled 'City Gardens'. This was led by member and City of London Guide, Chris Ruff. It was an excellent walk and it is amazing how many times you come to the City and don't realise what is right under your nose! Did you know, for instance, that there is a tree growing in the City the leaves of which were used by the Red Indians in America as tobacco? We were blessed with a fine evening and afterwards took supper at Pizza Express. They have an extensive menu apart from pizzas and the standard was high.(the Master bravely tried this event as something of an experiment as the club usually avoids August as a 'holiday month'. However it was popular and fully booked so it may be considered again)

Our next event was totally different when we visited Tate Modern. We had a tour with one of the guides who did not try to show us everything, but concentrated on a few works of art. In this way we could study them in some depth and when it is explained properly, it is easier to understand what the artist, sculptor etc. is trying to express. Most of us felt that our opinion of modern art has been changed from 'weird' to 'interesting' as a result of this evening. Supper was held in Cafe 2 overlooking the riverside and, once again, the standard of food was excellent.

In November we had the Annual Banquet, which this year was held in the lovely Apothecaries Hall with 110 members and guests attending. Not only did we have a delicious meal, we were treated to music played by a quartet from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and also had the fun of the 'Loving Cup'. A memorable evening, enjoyed by all.

The Lord Mayor's Show also took place in November and we were again lucky to be allocated a table for lunch in the Guildhall Club. The weather was wet and cloudy but this was soon forgotten after a glass of wine and some hearty venison casserole!

The Carol Service took place in St. Giles, Cripplegate and this year we were the guests of the Master's Livery Company, The Worshipful Company of Chartered Secretaries & Administrators. It was also attended by the Gold & Silver Wyre Drawers, The Clockmakers and the Company of Educators. As a result, the church was full and there was some hearty carol singing. Afterwards supper was served in the aisles and a very jolly and convivial evening ensued. Not only we were served hot soup in specially inscribed mugs, but we were allowed to take them home too!

Although the weather was inclement it did not stop a group of us attending the Geffrye Museum, which was decorated for Christmas. We had a very interesting talk to begin with detailing how people lived in London in preceding centuries and also what it was like to live at the Geffrye when it was an almshouse. We then toured the rooms at our own pace remarking several times how odd it was to see items one had been familiar with in the past, now in a museum!

The Geffrye Museum is not only concerned with the past.  The final room was a loft apartment, together with a special display on environmentally efficient furniture and household items. Would you fancy a hand basin on top of a toilet cistern, the water from the former flushing the latter?

The first visit of 2010 was to the Wellington Arch and Apsley House. Although the day was freezing cold 23 of us braved the elements and it was well worth it. The guide to the Arch was very enthusiastic and his knowledge of London quite staggering. Not only did he tell us about the Arch itself, but, when standing on the roof, he could tell you the history and interesting anecdotes about almost everything you could see. We then walked across the road to Apsley House where we had another interesting tour. The House is an amazing treasure-trove of gold and silver as well as paintings and furniture. We then repaired to the Shepherds Tavern in Shepherds Market and enjoyed a good hearty pub lunch.

Details of the next event are enclosed with this Newsletter. This will be the present Master's final event and we hope you will be able to attend. It promises to be a very interesting evening - how often do you get the chance to examine, and perhaps play, a musical instrument from the Tudor period?

OTHER MATTERS

The club has admitted 17 new members during 2009 and we hope they are enjoying their membership with us.

Could I remind all those who have not yet paid their subscription to do so as soon as possible.

Also, if you have not returned the form asking if you would like to receive notices by post or email, would you please do so. It takes some time to set up a new system and we need this information. Those of you who have returned the form giving your email address but have not ticked to say you wish to use it; I will assume you wish to do so unless you tell me otherwise.

The Annual General Meeting will take place on the 17th March and there is, of course, no charge for attending. The meeting will take place in Guildhall and guests are welcome, although only members have the right to vote. The lunch will take place in Insurers' Hall and details will be sent shortly.

Communication via email

Your committee has discussed offering members the opportunity to receive Club mail via email. This will help members who prefer to manage their lives electronically and will reduce our costs for paper and mailings.

Email Link to Honorary Secretary