It was a blast, it was a hoot, it was boiling hot, but it was bang on target! At 84 diners it was also a sellout, and the Livery Hall of The Armourers looked magnificent as the candlelight reflected off the suits of armour, greaves and weapons there displayed.
31 Squadron (Tower Hamlets) Royal Air Force Cadets, one of our affiliates, welcomed our Liverymen and guests with a smart and stiff stair guard, and later their band entertained with rousing military marches. These ended with Colonel Bogey, just before the Master spoke. They marched out to three rousing cheers and a standing ovation.
The Master, Wardens and Clerk were delighted to entertain the Master Armourer, Dr Roger Bowdler, and his Clerk, Colonel Jeremy Pughe-Morgan, thus reciprocating their largesse at their dinner last November. As a Fellow Warrior Company, we have a long and mutually supportive relationship.
Our Master gave a typically well researched, well delivered and well received speech outlining our history, our relationship and the opportunities before us. He ended his speech with a presentation of a magnificent cannon donated by Past Master Emeritus Gilbert Archer to the OC 31 Squadron, Pilot Officer Labib Khan, to be awarded annually within their unit for professionalism and commitment to the Squadron.
The Cook and The Butler excelled with their delicious food, attentive and friendly staff and punctual service. The Sea Bass, Cannon of Lamb, Espresso Martini Parfait and Gubbeen Rarebit were superb. The Providitor stormed it with his wine selections – very little was returned to our cellars.
All in all, an outstanding evening. If you missed it, you missed out.
