June ended with a surprise invitation from Kent County Cricket Club to their Committee’s box at Lords for the One Day Cup Final. Sadly the result did not go Kent’s way but it was a most enjoyable day and nice to see several people that we’ve encountered at various Royal Engineers’ events at Chatham over the year.
The warm weather of June turned decidedly hot for July as we officially entered a heatwave and thus the Architect’s Dinner in the non-air conditioned Skinner’s Hall was the first event at which gentlemen were encouraged to remove their jackets. However the top table declined to do so and we emerged somewhat bedraggled after another evening of excellent fare.
The next day the Craft Trust met followed by the Private View of the Company’s Exhibition at Guildhall Library and an excellent reception in the Guildhall Club Room. As ever Mark Groves did us proud and it was lovely to see Penny Brooks and indeed John’s newly married son Tom at this well attended event.
Sincere thanks are again due to all those who have helped in creating this superb Exhibition and particularly Liveryman and Silver Steward David Allen, Past Master Roger Westbrook and all the staff at the Guildhall Library and the Metropolitan Archive. Those who have not yet visited should ensure that they do so before the Exhibition closes at the end of August.
The ensuing weekend saw us at the Kent Show which was yet another scorching day and a fascinating event which I hadn’t attended for some thirty years or so. It has come a long way in that time and was a most professional event. At the President’s Luncheon we were treated to Kentish wines. The sparkling was not a surprise but the excellent white and red were – roll on our visit to the Elam Vineyard next month!
Fortunately the Committee had decided to import a number of screens and all were able to watch England’s quarter final victory over Sweden in the World Cup.
Sadly the 12th saw us in Southwold for a celebration of Jennifer Fuller’s life. As many of you will know Jenny had been ill for some years and the courage and good humour with which she faced her illness was an example to us all.
On the sixteenth Catherine and I were back at Mansion House but bizarrely not for dinner but for fish and chips and Karaoke. The Mistress led the Consorts in a rendition of Abba’s Super Trooper and the Sheriffs – wigs, boots and all - gave a convincing Mamma Mia but nothing could match the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress’ interpretation of You’re the one that I want from Grease performed via a Skype call as the Lord Mayor was in South Korea!
Back to reality and several candidate interviews and meetings regarding a new Education and Training forum headed by the Worshipful Company of Builders Merchants before Charter Day which this year was fittingly held at Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge in Epping Forest. Having both grown up in the forest Catherine and I felt there was little we didn’t know but how wrong we were. Our two excellent guides gave us detailed, fascinating and informative tours of both the Lodge and the nearby forest following which we enjoyed an excellent buffet lunch. Many thanks are due to the Mistress for organising the day so brilliantly and to all at the Lodge for their hospitality.
A quieter August beckons.