Beating the Bounds
Tuesday 17th June 2025
Beating the Bounds
17 June 2025
28 members joined together to beat the bounds of the Ward on a beautiful sunny day.
After rehearsal of the ‘curse’, the first beat, led by the Master took place by the Club’s rowan tree in Postman’s Park. The second beat was held in the grounds of the deconsecrated Wren church of St Anne and St Agnes of which Milton, Bunyan and John Wesley had been parishioners.
The third beat was in the garden of the Pewterers Livery Company following a short talk by the Clerk of the Company (founded in 1474) in its Hall about its history and the pewter industry, which is now mainly concerned with producing commemorative items.
From there, we went to the striking modern hall of the Plaisterers,in the style of Robert Adam and the largest of the Livery Halls. We were welcomed by the Clerk of the Company with refreshments. The fourth beat was then held in a patch of greenery at the entrance to the Hall in which there were rare bee orchids.
We went on to the fifth beat in the garden of the modern Hall of the Barber Surgeons Company. Following which, we admired its impressive Hall, laid out for a Livery dinner and the magnificent Holbein of Henry VIII who gave the Company a charter in 1540. Its current Master explained its development and said the current membership includes many surgeons.
The Hall of the Ironmongers, a rare survivor of the bombing which reduced the surrounding area to ruins, was next. There we were warmly welcomed by the Clerk of the Company with a glass of Madeira and the fifth beat took place in the pleasant courtyard of the Hall with its salamander fountain. The Clerk said they were hopeful that the City’s plans for the redevelopment of the adjoining site of the Museum of London would not give rise to problems.
After taking wine, the last beat was at the Barbican Estate Office, Afterwards, a bouquet was presented by the Master to Christine Goode, a past Master of the Club, who is on a visit to the UK from her home in New Zealand, and the Master was thanked for organising such a successful event. It was concluded by the customary convivial lunch at the Vecchio Parioli restaurant.
William Morton
