Benevolent Fund Trustees' Dinner
15th May 2018Columbier, Chelsea
After dropping off the Master's gown, the Mistress and I took the Circle Line to Chelsea for dinner with the Trustees of the Benevolent Fund. Three of the nine Trustees retired at the conclusion of the February Trustees' meeting. A dinner was organised by the new chairman of the Trustees, Nigel Rich, in honour of the retiring trustees. Between them, George Lankester, Stephen Preedy and David Glynn-Jones have over 4 decades of service to the Benevolent Fund and Welfare Fund. Unfortunately, David was not well enough to join us.
Trustees, retiring Trustees and spouses met for drinks in the garden of Nigel & Cynthia Rich. It was a warm and sunny evening and we enjoyed generous canapés, wines and good company. At 8pm, we walked the short distance to Columbier and enjoyed a delicious fish dinner.
After dessert was done, Nigel thanked the retiring trustees for their commitment to the Benevolent Fund and George responded with generous remarks and Lankestrian humour.
I have enjoyed four years as Secretary to the Benevolent Fund and have always been impressed with the dedication of our Trustees to ensuring that our charity is run effectively on behalf of the Livery Company. Charity is, in my mind, the most important achievement of the livery movement.