For our Charter Day trip this year the Master chose the magnificent Roman Baths in the beautiful City of Bath. On Sunday 30 July, 26 Tylers and Bricklayers and their guests gathered for tea and coffee in the Drawing Room at the wonderful Roman Bath House in eager anticipation. The organisers had arranged an interesting display of roman tiles and brickwork for us to marvel at whilst taking our tea and coffee.

The party was divided into two groups for the private tours, conducted by two very experienced and knowledgeable guides. As the two groups were taken around the ancient baths the guides gave full historical account of the wonderful sites, statues, warm springs and other very interesting areas. These included the Great Bath, the smaller East and West Baths, the Sacred Spring and the Thermal Sauna Areas where people cleansed themselves and gathered to gossip.

One of the unforgettable things was to see, from amphitheatre style seating, the front of one of only two truly classical temples remaining from Roman Britain, where the statue of the goddess Sulis Minerva was housed. The pediment carries the image of a fearsome head carved in Bath stone and it is thought to be the Gorgon's Head which was a powerful symbol of the goddess Sulis Minerva.

The tour lasted around 90 minutes and was a truly fascinating and interesting way to learn about this wonderful and precious historic site.

After the tour we all met in the fabulous 18th Century Pump Room Restaurant, a striking neo-classical salon with a fountain for drinking the hot Spa water, where we had a wonderful lunch with excellent wines as always.

Another truly successful Charter Day for the Tylers and Bricklayers for which we must thank the Master and Mistress for their hard work in putting together this wonderful event.