1984 John De Vine

President. Alderman Bryan Toye
Hon Patron. Christopher Rawson

Master. John de Vine
Upper Warden. David Butcher
Lower Warden. Brian Barber
Hon Secretary. William (Bill) Kelloe
Hon Treasurer. Vincent Emms
Asst Hon Sec. Rowland Hughes (going to have a major involvement with the Club for decades to come)

This was a very Special AGM at which the concept of Patron was introduced offered and accepted by Immediate Past Alderman Christopher Rawson, who resigned his seat as an Alderman having been the Ward Alderman for 11 years. Sheriff in 1961 and a Common Councilman from 1968 until he was elected Sheriff.

This required a Rule Change.
Rule 5 – New first Paragraph
That having rendered particularly valuable and distinguished service to the club, such mmeber may be invited to become an honorary Patron for a period not exceeding 5 years, renewable by vote annually at the end of the first period.

He was obviously very popular with a very high percentage of the Members (94) all contributing £3 towards a Special Gift for him and his wife (Rosemary). A Victorian Solid Silver Dish.

Obviously something in the election seriously upset Christopher Rawson but on the other hand he was thrilled to receive the gift. ”

The New President Alderman Bryan Toye and the 4 common Councillors  presented a Print showing Lime Street Ward as it had been in 1755, probably very similar to this one.

After the AGM – only 3 ties left. An Order for 100 ties was made @£2.70 each from a firm called John Paterson who the Club must have used in the past. Their Tie Dept was in the process of closing down – so the Order was transferred to Grant Elkins.

“Dear Mr Kelloe, it was good of you to send your Cheque today, for the ties, we return it for a vital addition, your signature”!

Dinner followed;

Cream of Mushroom Soup – garnished
Silverside of Beef with Dumplings and Pease Pudding
Profiteroles with Fresh Cream, Hot Chocolate Sauce or Cheese
Coffee and Mints – Port

House Red or White Wine (4 Glasses per person)

Our Master and his wife attended. The Lord Mayor was in attendance. This is an annual event with one of our adjoining Wards.

Master and 11 Members in attendance

Ladies Brooches.
Initial indications were that they would be relatively expensive, given low volumes required. Hon. Sec requested to investigate further.

Civic Lunch – It had been made clear that the Lord Mayor, Dame Mary Donaldson was not in favour of Bouquets being presented on such occasions. it was proposed that a Donation of £21.00p be made instead to the Jubilee Sailing Trust – this was agreed.

54 Members and 132 Guests plus 14 Ward Club Guests enjoyed a good lunch and an interesting reply to the Toast to the Guests from Brigadier D.V. Henchley, OBE., MA. – retired form the Army in 1963 and became the 1st Warden of Northampton Hall the Hall of residence of Northampton College of Advanced Technology (became City University) . When the Hall of Residence was built, Barbican Estate did not exist.
This must have been a very special occasion with the first ever female Lord Mayor (Dame) Mary Donaldson in attendance.

The way the world was.
Invitation sent to the Lord Mayor’s Principal Assistant Miss Ann Gale (Anni Gale) dated 20th Sept. 1983
Post Card Reply, acknowledging it sent 21st Sept
Then formal reply confirming attendance of Lord Mayor Elect, subject to……… 18th October 1983

Dress.
Dark Lounge Suit
Officers of the Club – Morning Dress

They enjoyed:
Brioche of Salmon – Sauce Hollandaise – Sylvaner Trimbach 1981
Noisettes of Lamb – Belle Helene – New Jersey Potatoes, French Beans (wrapped in Bacon) – Chateaux Segonzac 1982
Strawberries and Jersey Cream
Coffee, Petits Fours and Granham’s LBV (Late Bottled Vintage)

Well known member of the Ward Club, applying very late…… !! – things do not change :).
“Thanks for your letter, I now do appreciate the issue of restricted numbers and prompt applications. I will have to find some means of applying earlier, given my often short notice Business Trips abroad”
Regarding “lateness” – a letter from the Common Cryer and Sergeant at Arms, a few years later remarked that “this year the Lord Mayor had to leave before the Guest Speaker – you had 5 speeches”.

Presumption that the Master attended,

An annual event hosted by the Lord Mayor at the Mansion House with the aim of bringing together Ward Club Members and their Ladies, guests and friends. Reception and a “substantial” finger buffet.  The Lord Mayor, Lady Mayoress, Sheriffs, their Ladies –  many Aldermen and their Ladies were in attendance.

“it is felt that a far greater liaison between Ward Clubs is highly desirable and that the strength and friendliness thus established can only be of greater benefit to the City of London” – identical letter to last and previous year’s.

Pewterers’ Hall was opened on 15th May, 1961 and incorporates some of the Panelling and Chandeliers from a former Hall in Lime Street – (on the Langbourn Ward side of the road).

26 Members and 38 Guests enjoyed an enjoyable and relaxing evening, enjoying:

Freixenet Cordon Negro (Spanish Sparkling Wine)

Assorted Crudites

Open Sandwiches
Creamed Derby Sage on Celery
Melon with Parma Ham

Parisienne of Carrot with Red Windsor
Tartlets of Chicken in Tarragon
Bouchees of Chopped Ham in a light Mustard Mayonaise

and Hot.
Chipolatas in Honey
Stilton Corks
Cubes of Pork and Apple Sauce
Goujonettes of Plaice – Tartar Sauce

Petits Fours

£13.25 including Wine.

Commander and Alderman Sir Robert Gillet Bt., G.B.E., R.D., D.Sc., R.N.R., replied to the toast to the Guests.

It is tradition that the Lord Mayor and the 2 Sheriffs receive gifts from their Livery Companies and Ward Clubs prior to the Lord Mayor’s Show. (Lord Mayor’s Day). In this era it was done on the morning of the show – at around 9.30 followed by a quick breakfast and then, off to take part in the Show. From around the 2010’s the timings were changed and this event takes place on the Friday at 4.00pm after the “silent ceremony” – The Swearing in of the Lord Mayor.

Lime Street Ward Club, presented Gifts to both the Sheriffs, which is unusual. Both Members of the Ward Club.

The Ward Club were specifically asked if they would be presenting an Illuminated Address to Sheriff Rodney Fitzgerald – they declined although it is very possible they gave one to our Club President Alderman and Sheriff Richard Charvett, R.D.

See a draft below

Brooches – continuing discussions. Hon Sec to approach Mappin and Webb (Large Jewellery Group of the era).

Club Wines – agreed to take a case from store, taste and offer to Members.

Reprint of Rule Book, quotations to be obtained.

Proposed and Agreed that Certificates be prepared and issued to Life Members

2 years have gone by and for anyone who has been involved with this Market, it comes round very quickly

A couple of Special Changes this year.
Princess Alexandra came for the first time – she did not miss opening a fair till at least 2019.

They introduced a Special Evening Event (Invitation Only) on the Wednesday Evening

Bill Kelloe produced his Wheel of Fortune – as in the past. It raised £480.00. Donation from the Ward Club £50.00 – Members £30.00 and Raffle Ticket Sales £15.00 – a total of £575.00 in total. Prizes for the stall (Mainly Whisky and Wine) were donated by a number of Members.

The Co Chair almost certainly put a few noses out of joint in the Ward Club. – she wrote a letter specifically pointing out that “The Red Cross has a new game in its possession – some form of skittles that does not take up much space. Perhaps you could consider it rather that the Wheel of Fortune.”

A note on the letter says. “she seems to think that we are not as efficient as we might be”.
2 years later (1985) – New Co-Chair – No change 🙂