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The Luncheon Club ended 2005 on a high note when 95 Members and Guests attended the candlelit annual Christmas Dinner at Cutlers Hall on 19th December. Guests included the Master and Mistress Pavior, the Clerk John White and Jackie and our Honorary Chaplain Bernard Metcalfe and Penny.
The evening was, as in previous years, a very informal occasion with Members displaying some of their finest festive waistcoats, bow ties and other Christmas accessories. The new caterer provided an excellent meal and clearly knew whom to impress, as the Master found a silver sixpence in his Christmas pudding. Wine flowed freely during the evening, which was rather a relief, as the original wine order from the Wine Society was delivered incomplete, as a result of the delivery van being robbed. Fortunately the replacement order arrived two days before the event!
After the meal we were entertained again this year by the "Voices in Accord" singers, who led the gathering in a series of well known carols. The Choir once again generously donated their fee to "Save the Children" and a local hospice. During the evening a raffle was held in aid of Chloe's Trust, which is a fund set up in aid of a four year old girl, known to Louise Penston our Luncheon Club Administrator, who has been diagnosed as having a brain tumour. A sum of £530 was raised and it was fitting that Ron Steward who sold all the tickets won the principal prize, a Christmas hamper.
The evening concluded with short speeches from the Master and Club Chairman and the drawing of the final 200 Club Draw for 2005. Everyone seemed to be in good spirits as the Cutlers Beadle ushered them out of the premises so that he could begin the task of collecting all the balloons let off by the party.
This year's Luncheon Club program began with a lunch at the RAF Club, arranged through Past Chairman, John Mills. Twenty-seven members, including the Master, sat down to an enjoyable and leisurely lunch in the Ballroom prior to many of them making their way to Imperial College for the Paviors Lecture. Others apparently had Valentines Day assignations elsewhere.
The event provided an opportunity for Ian Lumsden, Chairman of the Liverymens Committee, to hold the first 200 Club Draw for 2006, with the winning tickets being drawn by the Master. The Master then briefly updated members on recent developments in the Paviors.
The next event in the Luncheon Club calendar is being arranged by John Price and will be a luncheon meeting at Finos in Mayfair on 29th March. This will be followed by a day for Members and partners at Knebworth House on 15th June (see Supplement for details). Later in the year there will be a visit to the College of Arms in the City, a gala evening at the Barbican, lunches at the Baltic Exchange and Guildhall and finally of course our Annual Christmas Dinner at Cutlers Hall. Hopefully something for everyone!
Andrew Panter
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