Club News 2024
Ladies Christmas Lunch December 2023
Members of the club enjoyed a very delightful and colourful traditional Christmas lunch with their wives and partners. This was followed by an end of year speech from the Chairman, Douglas Hill. After the traditional toasts there was a generous raffle organized by David Davis. The meeting was enjoyed by all and the Chairman closed the meeting wishing everyone a great Christmas and a happy, healthy and peaceful new year.
Livery Companies - October 2023
Our speaker, Mike Beech, gave a talk about the Livery Companies of London. He described how, in the 12th Century in London, groups of traders formed associations which then became guilds and later Livery Companies where they became very powerful organizing trade and commerce. He took us through the historical events of these companies involving Samuel Pepys, Elizabeth 1st , the origin of the “Trademark” symbol and the setting up of the City & Guilds testing platform. Today there are more than 110 Livery Companies, some with their most ornate Meeting Halls. Mike described some of their bizarre races and events including the Swan Upping Ceremony that we see every year on our river. This very well researched presentation was thoroughly enjoyed by all members present.