Shamrocks & Dragons - The Irish Guards Charity
19th April 2023Middle Temple
The Tobacco Pipe Makers & Tobacco Blenders put together a table of 10 for the extravaganza ‘Shamrocks & Dragons’ Gala Dinner – in support of The Irish Guards Charity in a wonderfully decorated Middle Temple Hall – which brought back memories of our 400’th year celebrations in June 2019, that reception held in this same hall!
Seated at table 10, named Hindenburg Line 1918, were Renter Warden Henry Tuck with Carolyn, Court Assistants Colin Ritchie (with Carolyn) and Rae Maile (with Kathryn), Freeman Will Rasmussen (with Dylan) and the Master and Mistress!
Sadly, Third Warden Tony Scanlan and Maggie were last minute Covid-casualties!
The walled garden set the scene on a bright, fresh spring evening where we enjoyed a glass of bubbly and cigar and some excellent musical entertainment from the Irish Guards Band…before making our way for dinner and receiving words of welcome from Lt. Col. L.J. Callow and Major Robbie Wilmont.
We were served a very fine 3 course meal along with some delicious Bordeaux Blanc and Claret.
The Table Captain’s Pendragon Wine Game – in our case guess the aggregate age at our table (!!) – plus the silent auction and live auction raised, I believe, well over £50k – a huge success…and several team members bidding for prizes – successfully!
With more from the band and a finale from Fiddler Adam (all the way from Ireland) the time rapidly closed on us, and we bid farewell – have you ever tried to escape from the Temple maze after a few? Took the Mistress and I several circuits to find an unlocked gate!
As Major Wilmont said: for many the physical war may be over, but the mental war will have to be fought for a long time yet. Fund raising, such as this evening, is essential.