Modern Liveries' Dinner
9th September 2024Farmers' and Fletchers' Hall
The Farmers' Livery Company hosted this September’s Modern Liveries' dinner at the Farmers’ and Fletchers’ Hall, which I attended with Senior Warden Tony Scanlan. The vast majority of Masters and Senior Wardens from the Modern Livery Companies were there, so it was a good opportunity to meet up with old friends and make new ones.
Conversations ranged from “What I did over the Summer Holidays” to the difficulties of modernising Livery Company procedures and processes, so plenty to discuss.
After finding our places at the table in the main hall downstairs, we had a few opening words from the Master Farmer, Guy Brogden, before being treated to a fine meal with excellent wines, There was a “liqueur chocolate” loving cup ceremony, which was probably more alcoholic than if we had had wine, accompanied by the singing of the Farmer's Boy song, which is traditional at Farmers' Livery events!
The meal was followed by entertainment from three ladies who call themselves the Ida Girls, who treated us to extremely fine renditions of The Drinking Song from La Traviata (very appropriate!), pieces from Carmen and the film “the Greatest Showman”, and a medley of songs from Les Miserables.
A great evening, which it will be the Pipe Makers' turn to host in a year’s time.