On the afternoon of Thursday 20 October, I travelled to Chatham to attend the Corps Guest Dinner at the Officers Mess, RE Headquarters, as guest of the Chief Royal Engineer. I took the opportunity for a swift visit the Tylers and Bricklayers sundial, designed by Past Master Piers Nicholson, at the Royal Engineers Museum nearby.

Guests mustered at Officers’ mess at Brompton Barracks, a wonderful building from around 1812, and I was greeted by a friend of many years, Major General Mungo Melvin. We walked together across the parade ground for pre-dinner drinks at Pasley house at the invitation of Brigadier Guy Boxall, Commandant RSME. We then processed back to the Officers’ mess for a superb five course dinner with around 250 officers and guests.