Aldersgate Ward Club

BEATING THE BOUNDS
Friday 17th June 2022

 

On Friday 17th June we were able, for the first time since 2019, to maintain our forty year old tradition of Beating the Bounds.

It was a wonderfully warm and sunny morning when we met in Postman’s Park.  The Master unveiled a plaque at the foot of the new Aldersgate Ward Club tree and led us in the first beat, pronouncing the solemn words “Cursed be he who removeth his brother’s landmark”.

Led by the Beat Master, Andrew Hamilton, we went on to beats at St Anne & St Agnes (led by the Master) and Pewterers’ Hall (led by Siobhan Redmond); then to Plaisterers’ Hall where we were welcomed by the Clerk, given refreshments and a chance to view the interior of the Hall and allowed into the gardens for our fourth beat led by Past Master Sally Gill.

A short walk took us to Barber-Surgeons’ Hall for our fifth beat led by Andrew Hamilton outside the Physic Garden and cooling glasses of water or rhubarb cordial, courtesy of the Company.  We were also allowed into the Hall to see the renowned Holbein painting showing Henry VIII celebrating the union between the Company of Barbers and the Guild of Surgeons in 1540.

Before our sixth beat at Ironmongers’ Hall led by our new Hon. Secretary, Susan Hoefling, we saw the site of the previous Ward Club tree; the tree itself has sadly gone.  At Ironmongers’, we had seats in a sunlit garden to enjoy the sherry and madeira generously provided and hear the Clerk briefly describe the history of the Hall, plans for the future and impending development of the surrounding buildings.

Our final beat was outside the Barbican Estate Office led by David Brown.  Barbican staff made us very welcome and took a photograph for inclusion in the weekly Estate Bulletin, circulated to Barbican Residents.

And so to lunch at Vecchio Parioli where we were warmly welcomed and enjoyed a three course lunch with wine.  The Master reminded us that we had been reviving an old tradition and Paul Herbage responded by proposing the health of the Master and the continued flourishing of the Club.  Members responded enthusiastically, thanking all responsible for a memorable event.

 

Geoffrey Savage