Master 2007-2008  Mr Andrew Hardy

The Master's Report

I am not sure where the time has gone, it can’t be a year since I was preparing myself to assume the role of Master of this great Club, and now this year's AGM has arrived and I am about to join the distinguished ranks of Past Masters.

Only over the last few years have I become aware of the hard work that goes into organising the year, a whole range of meetings and events, this would not be possible without the dedication, enthusiasm and tenacity of our Honorary Secretary, Barbara Allan, and the members of the committee who have been relentless in their support. I thank them one and all.

Due to the refurbishment work at Guildhall we had to find a new venue to hold our AGM and Luncheon, and so my year began on the 30th March at the fabulous Vintners' Hall. We were joined by Mr. Sheriff Richard Regan and his wife Mrs. Anne Regan. I have to say that I am looking forward to this year's AGM as last year's passed in a blur of protocol and speeches and therefore not enough ‘enjoyment’.  I plan to put that right today.

Following in the steps of immediate Past Master Bryan Baker was going to be a tough task, he had a military theme and I decided, as Catering is my profession, to make food and drink more of a theme than it usually is, and so I hope that you have all had the chance to experience the various food and drink extravaganzas that have been part of my year.

We kicked off with a wine ‘Call my Bluff’ in a wine bar off Fenchurch Street in May, then visited the Olympia Fine Art and Antiques Show in West London in June.

The visit to the recently opened O2 venue, formerly the Dome, on the Greenwich Peninsular was a real eye opener for all that attended, we were treated to a great tour followed by a cracking lunch prepared live by the Compass Chefs in the VIP Lounge.

Probably one of the highlights for me was our return to the Vintners for the Champagne Tasting, hosted so expertly by Justin Llewellyn from the House of Taittinger. With over 70 people attending it was a special evening for all.

The Annual Banquet was held at the Butchers Hall, where the speaker was the Deputy Chair of the London Assembly, Cllr. Brian Coleman. 

For the Lord Mayor’s Show the club, once again, took all the tickets available to us and a wonderful day was had by all.

The Annual Carol service was held in St. Bartholomew the Less, within the walls of St. Bart’s Hospital, for the second year and my thanks go to Rev. Doug Hiza for all his hard work in planning the event and it was great to see the Rev. David Rhodes who assisted on the evening. We then all went over to the Pewterers’ Hall for a very enjoyable supper. Over £300 was raised for the nominated charity of Combat Stress.

And finally we came to the last big event of my year when we visited the International Boat Show at the Excel centre in London’s Docklands. As well a chance to see a vast array of boats from a dingy to battle ships via Gin Palaces, once again we were treated to a great lunch prepared by the venue’s chefs. Safe to say it went down a treat.

And now it is great to return to the Vintners' to celebrate the year just gone and to look forward to a new year and our new Master David Green. In thanking you all for your support I would like to ask you to join me in wishing David a most enjoyable and successful year. I am proud and ‘chuffed to pieces’ to have served as Master for this past year I hope you enjoyed it and will continue to support David, for his year, and the Club well into the future.