61. Annual Banquet

Our Annual Banquet this year was held at the prestigious Fishmongers’ Hall on Thursday 3rd November. With 100 Members and their guests present, it was a thoroughly enjoyable evening orchestrated with great skill by our Clerk (Ralph Riley), Beadle (Tony Parker) and Bargemaster (Johnny Dwan). See photograph of Fiona and I before the event got underway.

The Hall was beautifully prepared by Antonella Santos (Events Manager) - see photograph of the Hall before guests arrived - we were all greeted by a welcoming party of Doggetts (see Doggetts race website for further details) organized by our Bargemaster, Johnny Dwan. (Photograph shows our Beadle on the left, Bargemaster in the centre and Clerk on the right, all flanked by two Doggetts – and very fine they look too!).

Following a traditional “line up” of the Master and three Wardens (and their Consorts) to welcome guests, we participated in social chit chat before being called for dinner. The excellent meal was prepared by Head Chef Stephen Pini and his team and was followed by the Loving Cup Ceremony. (See photograph of me, our principal guest Mark Hunter and his wife Jenny during dinner).

Throughout dinner we were treated to some excellent music from a pianist and this was followed by a musical interlude with selected songs from Flanders & Swan. The two opera singers and pianist were all from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and they did a great job.

I gave a welcome speech to our guests, who included the Clerk to the Chamberlains Court, representatives from three of our Corporate Members, our cutter rowing crew from Poplar Rowing Club and Olympic Gold Medallist rower Mark Hunter. Mark responded with a personal story of his tenacity to “win gold” and this was followed by a further speech from me, giving some anecdotes relating to my role of Master over the last few months!

Following a stirrup cup, the last of us left just after 11.00pm. A very enjoyable evening and many thanks to everyone who helped organize it.