1982 Michael Beale CC

President. Alderman Christopher Rawson

Master. Mr Michael.J.Beale C.C. of Lime Street Ward.
Michael was Born on 12th June 1939 becoming a Cadet at Pangbourne Nautical college in 1953.
Spent 3 years with The NZ Shipping Company but decided the sea was not for him. Left and joined BMC (British Metal Corporation), becoming known as Amalgamated Metal Corp of which he became Divisional Director (1973) becoming MD.

Member of the Worshipful Company of Shipwrights.

Upper Warden David Howard
Lower Warden John de Vine
Hon Secretary. James Newby F.C.I.B. P.M.
Hon Treasurer. Vincent Emms

Hon Auditor Eric Spong

Having had a very active year, a quieter year is on the horizon.

At the AGM a rule change was proposed, introducing the concept of Life Membership, with a Subscription of £50. This was passed but not after a discussion on the amount of the suggested subscription. There is a letter on file that puts across a view that it should only be £30.

“Whilst it may turn out to be a bargain in the longer term for some Members, £50 seems a heavy outlay for the average Member – “Annual membership was £3.oo  and at £30 more might take it up. I have been a member for 21 years and many members come and go – if the average is about 10 then £30 seems fair.

N.B. This particular Member was still a Member many years later:)

More discussions re the Restoration of the Organ at St Peter’s. Funds given for this purpose would be placed in a special account. Likely cost

£25,000 – £30,000. nothing would be done for at least 4/5 years, when a special appeal would be made.

Dinner:
57 Members and 58 Guests
Smoked Trout
Escallope of Veal Bergarrette, Petit Pois
Orange Oriental
Coffee and Mints
House White/Red Wine (3 Glasses per head)

The Speaker replying on behalf of the guests was John Hart – (Past Sheriff (1979/80)

In a letter from Michael Beale to Immediate Past Master, Bill Kelloe he refers to the evening being slightly marred by an incident… “I will write a letter to ……, which I hope will be the end of the matter. It transpires that one of the members was presented with their bill for wine etc for£15.50p. The Member had £16.00p and offered it to pay the bill. apparently end of story. At the end of the evening he was approached to pay the bill. “I have already paid it” he said and showed his empty wallet. A quite noisy altercation ensued and in the end the Member under protest wrote a cheque for the disputed amount. On arriving home he found the£16.00p in his suit pocket!
One or two letters on this and noisy tables in general.
“The gap between the end of the AGM and the start of dinner is too long – too much drinking”

Letter from the Hon Sec to the President also stated “that for the third year running there has been one particular table that had been very noisy and rude, which included Committee members and a Past Master”.

Agreed that Peter Green (Chairman of Lloyd’s) be offered Hon. Membership

Major discussion re the problems at the AGM Dinner  – see above

1 Committee members resignation was accepted.

46 Members and 136 guests plus The Lord and Lady Mayoress together with Mr. Sheriff Anthony Eskenzi,were in attendance.

Asparagus / Melted butter – Gewurtztraminer 1979
Salmon Trout Nantua – Tavel Rosé
Kiwi Fruit and Lime Torte – became Pineapple Surprise on the day
Coffee with Quinta do Noval LBV or Prunier Family Reserve Cognac

Peter Green, Chairman of Lloyd’s received his Honorary Membership of the Ward Club and closed proceeding with proposing the Toast to the Lime Street Ward Club

After the event there were some altercations between Lloyd’s and our Hon.Treasurer regarding paid/unpaid bills. Lloyd’s sent the bills addressed to an individual at his Company and kept chasing the Company for non-payment – (4 months), when all the time the bill had been paid by the Ward Club. A few, very not happy people.

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. Finger Buffet, small Orchestra. The 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 year’s.

To save costs for the event itself, each Ward Club was asked if they would circulate the individual letters to their members. Those that said No, were asked to provide envelopes so the Organiser could send them out. We said yes.

The last event of the year but apparently the first time that the Ward Club be able to use Trinity House. “A unique location for your Ladies and your Guests”

40 Members and 94 Guests enjoyed great surroundings and good company, whist enjoying:

Freixenet Cordon Negro (Spanish Sparkling Wine)

Smoked Salmon in Brown Bread
Turkey and Peach in White Bread

Creamed Stilton on Celery
Melon with Parma Ham
Profiteroles of smoked Trout
Stuffed Prunes with Celery Cheese
Barquettes of Curried Prawns
Salami Cornets
Pork and Pineapple Medalions

and Hot
Chipolatas with Mustard
Devils on Horseback
Chicken Livers and Bacon Rolls
Deep Fried Banana – Apricot Dip
Goujonettes of Plaice – Tartar Sauce

Petits Fours

£12.50 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.