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A Day at the Races - Sandown Park

13 June 2009

Once again the annual outing to 'a day at the races' proved to be thoroughly enjoyable. The Solario Suite - complete with private bar and tote facilities, and access to a section of the grandstand - was, as always, very comfortable.

The weather was perfect and good food and wine helped to make it a perfect day.

West Byfleet Golf Club

Celebrity Guest Joe Goodman

The Guild of Freemen of the City of London Golfing Society

9 June 2009

Guild members and their guests met at 1pm at West Byfleet Golf Club in Surrey to play 18 holes of golf followed by dinner.

At the end of Dinner David Moscrop, the Captain, gave out the prizes. The winner of the golf match was Guild Member Richard Gambold, followed in second by Guild member David Palmer and third was Joe Goodman, a celebrity guest.

The evening finished with everyone thanking Philip Stickings, the Honorary Secretary of the Golfing Society for organising a superb day.

The next fixture on the Guild's Golfing Calendar will be Monday 14th September 2009 at the Army Golf Club, Aldershot.

After supper The Master presents a cheque to Peter Tompkins, for the Lord Mayor's Charity Appeal
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City Walks 28th May and 3rd June

28 May 2009

This started in Paternoster Square, the original site of the Stock Exchange and market in the 16th Century.

Cheapside, site of the original meat markets where tournaments, jousting and pageants all took place, before everything moved to Smithfield in the late 16th Century. Mercers' Hall was the first Merchant Company in Ironmongers Lane to be established for trading purposes. Dick Whittington, a merchant of Mercers became the first Lord Mayor of London.

Onto Threadneedle Street, Cornhill where the Bank of England was established in 1694, and into the Royal Exchange which was built by Sir Thomas Gresham. In 1570 Queen Elizabeth said it would be the Royal Exchange forever.

In 1752 Mansion House was built. The first underground was built and operated from the Bank by JH Greathead in the late 19th Century. Coffee Houses were popular in the City in the 17th Century.

The tour came to an end outside the Lloyds Building which was built in 1996 by Richard Rogers - an inside/outside building. As always Peter Tompkins, our guide gave a fascinating tour and insight into Markets / Exchanges of yesteryear.

Damian Green MP meets Guild Members, Mrs Joyce Parsons and Miss Stella Currie
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The Master, Sir Gavyn Arthur presents flowers to Miss Alicia Collinson, wife of Damian Green MP
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House of Commons - Reception & Black Tie Dinner

22 May 2009

Our host for the evening, Damian Green MP and the Master, Sir Gavyn Arthur received Guild Members and their guests in the Terrace Marquee at 6.30pm. Many members and their guests were taken on guided tours of the Palace of Westminster before dinner was served in the Churchill Room.

After dinner Damian Green, MP for Ashford and Shadow Minister for Immigration, gave a fascinating talk about the principal topics being addressed by the House of Commons during the past fortnight. The Master then thanked Mr Damian Green for his speech before wishing everyone a safe journey home.

The Choir of King Edward's School Witley
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Annual Service

6 May 2009

The Annual Service was held in the St Faith Chapel in the Crupt of St Paul's Cathedral on Wednesday 6th May at 6pm.

The Honorary Chaplain, the Right Reverend Graeme Knowles, Dean of St Paul's took the service.

The Choir of King Edward's School Witley sang throughout the service.

Mr Charles Sebag-Montefiore gives a informative after dinner speech
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Brooks's Club

24 April 2009

After a champagne reception, a four course dinner was served to 112 Guild Members and their guests. The Master, Sir Gavyn Arthur introduced the guest speaker Mr Charles Sebag-Montefiore, who gave a fascinating and informative after dinner talk that was both eloquent and interesting about the history of Brooks's, founded in 1764, the Dilettanti Society and the paintings shown in the Club by Sir Joshua Reynolds (the first President of the Royal Academy) to the present day.

Sir Gavyn Arthur thanked Mr Charles Sebag-Montefiore, and gave a small token of appreciation (a Halcyon Days box) to Mrs Charles Sebag-Montefiore. Sir Gavyn gave thanks to the staff of Brooks's for their hard work throughout the evening, and wished everyone a safe journey home.

Deputy Pauline Halliday with Master elect Sir Gavyn Arthur
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360 for dinner in the Egyptian Hall
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The Mansion House - Black Tie Dinner

25 February 2009

At 6.30 pm, a champagne reception preceded dinner in the magnificent Egyptian Hall in the Mansion House.

Soon after the Centenary Master, Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal arrived, the Deputy Mrs Pauline Halliday with the Lord Mayor, Alderman Ian Luder, and the Guild's guests proceeded into dinner.

This was a glittering affair with the band of Honourable Artillery Company playing throughout the evening.

Speeches were then given by the Lord Mayor, Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal and Deputy Mrs Pauline Halliday. At 10.30, the evening drew to a close.

The elegant Peers' Dining Room
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House of Lords - Reception and Black Tie Dinner

6 February 2009

Field Marshal, The Lord Vincent of Coleshill once again hosted this very popular evening. Guild Members and their guests were taken on optional guided tours of the Houses of Parliament before dinner was served in the elegant Peers' Dining Room.

After the speeches, given by the Field Marshal and Deputy Pauline Halliday, the evening drew to a memorable end.

Magnificent ornate ceilings
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Old Bailey - Visit and Supper

4 February 2009

The evening started in No 1 Criminal Court of the Old Bailey and finished in the cells below the courtrooms.

Supper was then taken in a nearby wine bar when the Guild Members and their guests could mull over the fascinating tour they had enjoyed earlier in the evening.

Being entertained after dinner
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Drapers' Hall - Black Tie Dinner

28 January 2009

In the City's third oldest Livery Company, the Guild Members and their gusts were able to enjoy the wonderful surroundings of the beautiful hall and ante rooms dominated by the Company's exceptional collection of royal portraits.

After dinner, students from the Guildhall School of Music came and played and sang a repertoire of delightful musical songs and arias.

Superb viewing facilities at the Guildhall
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Guildhall - Visit and Lunch

14 January 2009

Guild Members and their guests met in the Guildhall for coffee and biscuits from 10.30 am. At 11.15 am, the group was divided into two groups. One went to look at the refurbished Guildhall and the other to see the amphitheatre and the G. F. Watts Art Exhibition in the Guildhall's Art Gallery.

The two groups then assembled in the City Pipe for lunch. After lunch, the party went back to the Guildhall for their two tours, doing the one they hadn't done previously. Later, everyone met up again for a cup of tea, before going home.

Enjoying pre-dinner champagne
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The splendid Great Hall
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Guildhall Centenary Banquet - White Tie

8 December 2008

The Guild members and their guests, in the presence of the Company of Pikemen and Musketeers, enjoyed a Champagne Reception, before they sat down to a gourmet dinner in the Great Hall, in the presence of the Centenary Master, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal.

Trumpet fanfares and music was played throughout the evening from the salon orchestra of The Honourable Artillery Company.

The Lord Mayor, Alderman Ian Luder, Deputy Pauline Halliday and the Centenary Master, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal all gave speeches before a wonderful evening came to an end.

Please note: the photographs that illustrate these articles are the copyright of Peter Holland, the Guild's photographer, or of the Guild (unless otherwise stated). Anyone wishing to obtain copies should contact the Guild office.