The Lord Mayor's Big Curry Lunch
11th April 2018Guildhall
It was my third Big Curry Lunch at Guildhall (or possibly fourth). I am sure our Learned Clerk will know how many I've attended. Our Benevolent Fund supports this event with a donation to ABF The Soldiers' Charity. There were many members of the armed forces present, together with senior ranks, past and present, including General Sir Mike Jackson. I saw several inspirational former soldiers who have adapted to life on prosthetic limbs, a sobering reminder of the importance of ABF The Soldiers' Charity. The major sponsor of the event is now British American Tobacco. As supporters, Sandra and I were invited to the Royal Reception which was attended by Princess Eugenie.
Some 1,200 sat down to a Curry Lunch through three sittings. That's a big curry lunch by any measure. Sandra and I were on the last sitting at 2pm which gave us an opportunity to buy raffle tickets, sample Cobra beer, chat to fellow liveryman Sean Gavin who creates two cocktails for the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress every year and meet friends from other livery companies. It had been several weeks since I enjoyed a curry (due to a ridiculous diet imposed on me) so I enjoyed every mouthful of my lunch. When we exited the Great Hall, we browsed stalls offering products from several livery companies: orchids from the Gardeners, tankards from the Pewterers, socks from the Framework Knitters and turned wood from the Turners. I left with a rather nice piece of turned cherry wood. I haven't received a phone call about my raffle ticket which I have now written off as a charitable donation.