Broad Street Ward Club

Monday 24th July 2023

The Deputy Chairman was delighted to lead a group of Club members on a fascinating visit to the College of Arms

Former Windsor Herald William Hunt and  Bluemantle Pursuivant Mark  Scott were informative and entertaining. As well as explaining some of the basics of heraldry and the history of the building they showed us some fascinating and amazing examples from their library of grants of coats of arms etc - the most long-standing and significant collection of its kind, that survived the Great Fire and Blitz unscathed. From Tudor summaries of the arms of families of different parts of the country, to the first image of a Union Jack approved by George III for the Act of Union to create the United Kingdom in 1801, to Nelson’s own coat of arms as they evolved - signed off left-handed (after he’d lost his right arm) in 1897, to the current Royal Families’ arms and their lineage since Queen Victoria signed off by the late Queen and Prince Philip and various others including the Princess of Wales, though her husband still has to come in and sign his! William also talked us through our own Alderman’s rather complex coat of arms. Finally Mark shared some of his stories of being involved in the Coronation, including a picture of him in full Coronation gear with the current Duke of Wellington in the Iron Duke’s robes. 

The evening was rounded off with a convivial bite and a glass, kindly provided by the College of Arms - and once the BSWC locusts had swept the table bare we headed off with heads full of questions about how eminent our own families were and whether a coat of arms might be a possibility!

You can see some photos of the event here https://broadstreetwardclub.org/2023-college-of-arms

Saturday  22nd July 2023

The Chairman was delighted to be invited to attend the Cart Marking ceremony along with 20 members.  Broad Street Ward Club have a close relationship with the Worshipful Company of Carmen,  with Club member David Pugsley due to be Master Carmen shortly and his Consort is our Deputy Chairman, Sarah Sturrock.

Cart Marking showcases a truly unique collection of transport dating from the horse and cart to the latest, cleanest, greenest, and safest in use today.

The regulation of carts dates back over 750 years to the early days of the City, with the ceremony of Cart Marking evolving over time.

We saw handcarts, horses and carts, horse-drawn carriages, steam engines, military vehicles and motorcycles together with historic, vintage and specialist vehicles including the latest, powered by electricity and hydrogen, on display. The vehicles made their way to Guildhall Yard where they were greeted by the Lord Mayor of London, the Masters of not one but two City of London Livery companies and the Keeper of Guildhall Yard, all wearing their official robes and insignia. As each vehicle is presented for marking, a commentator told us about its history and relevance today.

Afterwards we enjoyed a wonderful lunch at Guildhall

You can see some photos of the event here https://broadstreetwardclub.org/2023-cart-marking

Monday 15th May 2023

Congratulations to our new Chairman Judith Rich OBE who was installed at our AGM last night. Judith is working on her programme of events, and has already arranged for members to attend the Annual Cart Marking by kind invitation of the Master Carman (July 22nd) and our traditional Garden Party at St Margarets Lothbury with our friends at Coleman Street Ward Club (25th September). We also have a series of Monday Lunch Clubs starting on 12th June at the City University Club at Crutched Friars.

Keep an eye on the website as this exciting year for the Club unfolds - our Civic Lunch will be on 20th November at Mansion House to celebrate the election of our Club President Alderman Michael Mainelli (subject to election of course) and we already have over 200 people booked to attend.

The Chairman installed Sarah Sturrock as Deputy Chairman and the Immediate Past Chairman presented the Club's donation to St Margarets Lothbury to The Reverend Prebendary Jeremy Crossley

Afterwards we enjoyed a drinks and nibbles reception catching up with friends old and new.

Thanks to the Master Furniture Maker for allowing us to hold the AGM at Furniture Makers' Hall

You can see some photos of the event here https://broadstreetwardclub.org/2023-agm

Wednesday 19th April 2023

The Chairman’s final event was “A walking tour with criminal intent”.  We heard about cutpurses and vagabonds, considered ‘The Trial of the (18th) Century’, rioting apprentices, body snatchers, criminal gangs, foul prisons, and rough justice ... and even the odd poltergeist.  

Conducted by Broad Street Ward Club member and Clerk to the Chamberlain’s Court Laura Miller – who is also a City of London Guide and a Green Badge Guide - this was a fascinating walk which brought out the hidden history behind the modern City of London between Guildhall and St Pauls.

Afterwards we enjoyed a lovely supper at Cote St Pauls

Thank you Laura for giving up your valuable time and being such an engaging story-teller.

You can see some photos of the event here https://broadstreetwardclub.org/2023-crime-walk

Thursday 30th March 2023

Broad Street Ward Club members and guests were privileged to attend the Lord Mayor’s Big Curry Charity Lunch on Thursday 30th of March at the Guildhall. In attendance was HRH Prince Richard Duke of Gloucester.  Our twenty-one members and guests included Lieutenant Colonel Bob Stuart DSO and MP for Beckenham* since May 2010 pictured here as we enjoyed a glass of champagne in the Crypt before ascending to the Great Hall for a great lunch.  Queuing to be served at one of the four serving stations was a little chaotic, but very good fun.  Sitting, as we were at long trestle table, we got to meet some very interesting people from other liveries and different associations.

Tuesday 21st March 2023

The visit to the Royal Courts of Justice, with lunch afterwards at Middle Temple Hall, was a great success with 46 members and guests enjoying the event. The guides were excellent, giving a great insight into our legal system and colourful descriptions of the Courts and artefacts. The lunch was excellent value and afterwards we were allowed to look at the 29ft long, oak-beamed High Table, used by Masters of the Bench for generations. It was made of three planks cut from a single oak tree in Windsor forest, a gift from Elizabeth I, and floated down the Thames. The table was installed within the Hall during construction and has never left since. 

We had our own construction expert with us, Club member Bill Haynes, whose family firm laid the foundations of the Royal Courts of Justice! 

Chairman Lisa Preuveneers in front of the High Table

Monday 6th March 2023: City University Club 

Members really enjoyed hearing from two people closely connected with the Club as they introduced us to the ‘tracks of their years’. Our first speaker, Immediate Past Chairman, Commander James Nisbet, told us of the memories  brought back to him by such songs “London Calling” by The Clash, “Rule Britannia” and “ Faith” George Michael. 

Our second speaker, The Reverend Prebendary Jeremy Crossley from St Margaret’s Lothbury, our Ward church, chose “Hey Jude” by Beatles, “Can’t Help Falling in Love With You “ we heard Elvis’s version and “I Was Glad When They Said Unto Me” an anthem set to music by C.H.H. Parry.

Thanks to Basil for presenting the music and those singing along and ‘chair-dancing’.  And thanks to Karima and her team at City University Club  who served up a delicious meal with wine.  Feedback received indicates this format should be used again with different speakers and at a different venue.

 We were able to hold our meeting in the Common Council Members Dining room at Guildhall to hear our speaker Michael Napier, one of the most respected and notable lawyers of our time. Michael is a former Chairman of Irwin Mitchell LLP solicitors of Sheffield and a past President of the Law Society. We were joined by guests from other The United Wards Club and members of the City of London Solicitors' Company.

Michael gave us a summary of his involvement in representing the victims of major transport disasters, the first main one being the Manchester Airport Crash where he represented the family of the co-pilot, through almost every major incident thereafter. Among other clients there was Charles Bronson, currently up for parole and the subject of a television documentary.

Michael took us though the Saddam Hussain guns for Iraq Babylon event, the Matrix Churchill Court Case and the subsequent Scott Enquiry, the outcome of which was eventually the end of the John Major Government at the subsequent General Election. 

Michael took us through his views on Legal Aid availability issues and the John Mortimore (Rumpole) “dirty books” case. Finally, he gave us his book recommendation. The Rule of Law by Tom Bingham. (Amazon £8.99)

There were many questions and answers at the end of his talk and Chairman Lisa gave a vote of thanks for a great speech.

There followed a very good buffet dinner.

A very good evening enjoyed by all

 Our October 2022 private tour of the - usually off-limits to the public - Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office building in Whitehall, was so popular, we arranged a second outing on 13th February 2023.

Completed in 1868 when Britain was at the height of colonial power, no expense was spared; inside or out, in its construction.  The impressive exterior, with its white Portland stone façade featuring balustrades, columns, sculptures of former monarchs and politicians and allegorical figures of Law, gives no hint of the lavish interior lurking inside.  This grand building hosts the Locarno Suite, originally designed for diplomatic banquets.  

Our knowledgeable volunteer guides, Graham Holland and Neville Jones  enthusiastically guided us around. We saw the gilded barrel-vaulted ceiling of the Cabinet Room (now known as the Grand Reception Room), the grand staircases, the striking Durbar Court richly decorated with marble statues.  We even caught a glimpse of number 10 Downing Street from the inside of the Foreign Secretary’s corner office. And we were able to look directly onto Horse Guards Parade.  

The tour was followed by lunch in the private lower ground dining room at the Red Lion conveniently located just across the road in Whitehall itself.

 Chairman Lisa Preuveneers was delighted to attend as the Duke of Kent unveiled the Veterans’ Garden in Guildhall Yard on 14 February in support of The Lord Mayor's Big Curry Lunch. Broad Street Ward Club members are very much looking forward to attending the lunch in the fabulous Great Hall on Thursday 30 March. Money raised will be used to help Armed Forces veterans find employment and new careers. Tickets for the Lunch cost £100 and includes unlimited curry, beer and wine. more details:

https://broadstreetwardclub.org/events
 

Club member Christopher Seow shown with the Duke of Kent and Basil Preuveneers

A group of keen spirit aficionados attended a whisky tasting & supper event at The Scotch Malt Whisky Society in Greville Street, London on 31 January 2023.

The Chairman, Lisa Preuveneers, some Past Chairmen, Members & Guests enjoyed a wonderful tasting of 6 whiskies including a lamb rump supper organised by Committee Member Richard Muir.

The host was the Brand Ambassador of the Society, John McCheyne who expertly guided everyone though the whiskies in addition to providing some very amusing anecdotes & stories as appropriate.

Tasting notes were provided & a very happy & educational evening was had by all

The Chairman, Lisa Preuveneers, was delighted to accept Master Alan S. Cook, of the Worshipful Company of Arts Scholars’ invitation to attend their annual banquet at Mansion House. A wonderful meal was served in the magnificent Egyptian Hall. This grand room has nothing Egyptian about its decoration. It should be known as the Roman Hall, as members will find out later this year when we at Broad Street Ward Club hold our Annual Civic Lunch. Mansion House has been the official residence of the Lord Mayor of London since 1752. Built during the reign of George II, its grandeur was designed to reflect the City of London's position as one of the world's leading financial and trading centres. Which it does admirably!

Lisa and consort Basil thank the Master and the Company for a very convivial evening.