Tobacco Pipe Makers Ladies Banquet

22nd October 2015

And so to our very own Ladies Banquet, held this year at Barber Surgeons Hall. This is always a little daunting for the Master. It is our premier event and we always hope for a good number of Liverymen and their guests. The Hall is a modern Hall nestling against the old Roman Wall at Barbican. It is designed as a small Georgian House and is very pretty with a lovely garden so excellent for summer events and evening when the weather is warm enough to go outside. October is not really for outside entertaining and we stayed in enjoying the beautiful dining room overlooked by Holbein’s portrait of Henry VIII. Liveryman Howard Mundy delivered a witty and impeccably timed welcome to all our guests, the principal of whom was Richard Chartres, Bishop of London. The Bishop looked resplendent in the episcopal equivalent of white tie namely silk frock coat and breeches. He gave us an entertaining and thoughtful speech. We had more than 120 members of the company and guests which was full capacity for the hall and I’m sure everyone had a very enjoyable time.