Vintry & Dowgate Wards’ Club Luncheon
30th October 2023Vintners' Hall
Immediate Past Prime Warden Basketmaker, Judy Taylor Smith, is an oracle amongst Masters. So when she told me that I need to join a Ward Club I listened and then bravely enquired: What is a Ward Club?
The City is divided into 25 Wards, some of which have their own Club for people who live and work in the City and have an interest in the Ward. Some including Judy are members of more than one Ward Club. Others focus on a specific Ward that is close to their home, place of work or Livery Company. The Ward Clubs are the body that organises the Wardmote (Ward Moot) at which candidates for election to the office of Common Councilman or Alderman
are elected.
It is the Ward Beadle who opens and closes the Wardmote and in times past would have fined Freemen who failed to attend. Realising that Common Councillors are directly affiliated with the Ward Clubs prompted my call to the Master of the Guild of Investment Managers, Henry Pollard, who also serves as one of the Common Councillor for the Vintry & Dowgate Wards’ Club.
Vintry and Dowgate are two of the 25 Wards in the City of London. The Vintry Ward Club was founded in 1877 and the Dowgate Club in 1896. The current arrangement is the result of the two Clubs joining together in 1957.
Henry graciously invited me to their Annual Civic Lunch, an invitation I eagerly accepted. The room was a proverbial Who’s Who of Livery and City officials as well as City Corporate Members. Patrons are Alderman Dr. Sir Andrew Parmley (one of our own Honorary Liverymen) Patron and Alderman Alison Gowman. They are supported by four Common Councillors who are Henry Pollard and Mark Wheatley for Dowgate Ward and Rehana Ameer and Jaspreet Hodgson for Vintry Ward.
I sat near Lady Wendy Parmley, who is always kind and generously shared her in-depth knowledge of the Ward Club.
The lunch was held at Vintners’ Hall and Master Vintner, Ant Fairbank, was a lovely host. It was a privilege to be joined by Alderwoman and Sheriff Dame Susan Langley and her husband Mr Gary Langley The Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress, Nick and Felicity Lyons, were the guests of honour. The Lord Mayor did not disappoint. His electric speech even included his infamous nun joke.
The fascinating Civic Lunch provided a different insight into the intricacies of the City of London. Thank you, Judy for your perfect advice and Henry for your hospitality!