The Master’s final event of her year was a celebratory black tie dinner at the renowned Savile Club in Mayfair. The Savile Club was established in 1868 by a group of the most distinguished writers and artists of the time. Its home is a fine 18th Century house in the heart of Mayfair, whose air of elegant exclusivity reflects the uniquely creative ambiance which continues to flourish in the Savile Club of today.
The evening in late September started with a glass or two of sparkling wine in the drawing room, where we enjoyed the opportunity to admire the beautiful room and the chance to catch up with old friends and make new ones. As well as our Alderman and members of Aldersgate Ward Club we welcomed guests from as far away as Glasgow and Nottingham – clearly our reputation had preceded us!
Grace was thoughtfully given before the meal by the Rev’d Canon Jack Lynch, Vicar at St Giles in the Barbican (a very close neighbour) and at the end of a delicious meal we heard from Alderman Christopher Makin, who entertained us with a brief history of the Ward Club, including the fact that women were only allowed membership of the Club back in the 1970s. We have, in recent years, enjoyed a number of female members who have gone on to the Master, including the most recent past Master, myself, and our Upper Warden, shortly to be Master. A very good example of times changing for the better.
I ended the evening by thanking everyone who had contributed to making it such a good occasion and to everyone who had supported my year as Master. This is, without a doubt, the best ward club in the City, and I have been very proud to be Master this last year. Along with the inevitable heart stopping moments of panic, there have been many times when we have enjoyed pure fun and fellowship, and I have very much valued exploring new places and making new friends. Dinner in this splendid Club seemed a very appropriate way to finish my year and to celebrate good friends.
Curated for You
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