Past events

This is a list of past events (most recent at the top). For those shown in blue there are more details - just click the link to read more.

Date	Activity
1-Mar-2014	Guided visit to St James Church with dinner in Crypt
4-Feb-2014	AGM and Installation dinner at the Baltic Exchange
15-Jan-2014	Morals, ethics and the City - A discussion with Ward Chaplain, the Rev Patrick O'Ferrall
14-Jan-2014	Committee Meeting
16-Dec-2013	Carol Service at St Katharine Cree followed by mulled wine and mince pies
9-Nov-2013	Lord Mayor's Show
6-Nov-2013	The City - world trade centre - a history - Guided tour of the Docklands Museum followed by lunch at Rum and Sugar
18-Oct-2013	House of Lords - dinner in the Peers' Dining Room
17-Oct-2013	The Lion Sermon, St Katharine Cree
7-Oct-2013	Committee Meeting
10-Sep-2013	Wapping Blue Badge guided walk followed by a pub diiner at The Prospect of Whitby
2-Jul-2013	Committee Meeting
16-Jul-2013	Spitalfields - Blue Badge guided walk - followed by dinner at Baraka
18-Jun-2013	City of London Distillery - visit with a tutored gin tasting by Master Distiller, Jamie, and a chance to see the first distillery in London to produce gin for many years!
3-May-2013	Annual Civic Luncheon - One of the Club's major annual events at the world-famous Guildhall. Members and guests enjoyed great company, good food and a real 'City experience' in the Crypts at Guildhall with Sheriff Jeffrey Evans and Lawson Muncaster, MD of CityAM newspaper as speakers
12-Apr-2013	St Brides Institute - a guided tour of the fascinating historic landmark just behind Fleet Street with a talk about the history of printing and a unique chance to see and handle some extremely valuable books (such as an original Chaucer!) and real printing type - read about the visit here
20-Mar-2013	Aldgate Ward Mote - the candidates attend the hustings in the first contested election for our elected Common Councilmen for many years - followed by the vote the following day
11 and 19 Mar=2-13	Visit to the Assay Office with a guided tour to learn about assaying, hallmarking and see how it is done and has developed over the years. A sell-out success - read about the visit here
5-Mar-2013	Committee Meeting
5-Feb-2013	AGM and Installation Dinner
8-Jan-2013	Committee Meeting
17-Dec-2012	Annual Carol Service at St Katharine Cree
10-Nov-2012	The Lord Mayor's Show
5-Nov-2012	Bevis Marks Synagogue guided tour
18-Oct-2012	The Lion Sermon at St Katharine Cree
2-Oct-2012	Committee Meeting
17-Sep-2012	Trinity House - a guided tour
16-Jul-2012	Display of the Pikemen & Musketeers and Black Tie dinner
3-Jul-2012	Committee Meeting
30-May-2012	Annual Civic Luncheon at Guildhall
9-Mar-2012	Ward Mote
7-Mar-2012	The Dickens Museum - Guided tour with Dramatic Readings
7-Feb-2012	Annual General Meeting followed by an Informal dinner
24-Jan-2012	Visit to the Museum of London with tour and tea
3-Jan-2012	Committee Meeting
12-Dec-2011	Carol Service with the Baltic Exchange - St Katharine Cree
12-Nov-2011	Lord Mayor's Show
1-Nov-2011	Hidden City - guided walk with Blue Badge guide Andrew Dick followed by Lunch at Watermen’s Hall
13-Oct-2011	The Lion Sermon, St Katharine Cree Church
6-Oct-2011	History of the Baltic Exchange - talk and film
4-Oct-2011	Committee meeting
15-Sep-2011	Museum of London private tour and tea
5-Jul-2011	Committee meeting
13-Jun-2011	Civic Luncheon at Guildall with the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs
24-May-2011	Dennis Severs’ House by Candlelight
6-Apr-2011	John Stow Memorial Service
4-Apr-2011	Horse Guards’ Museum and tea at Inn the Park
9-Mar-2011	Ward Mote - at St Katharine Cree
1-Mar-2011	Committee meeting
15-Feb-2011	Wilton's Music Hall - performance of "Cabaret"
1-Feb-2011	Annual General Meeting - at the Baltic Exchange followed by an informal dinner
4-Jan-2011	Committee meeting
13-Dec-2010	Carol Service at St Katharine Cree followed by mulled wine and mince pies at the Baltic Exchange
13-Oct-2010	The Lord Mayor's Show
14-Oct-2010	The Lion Sermon Guild Church of St Katharine Cree, 86 Leadenhall Street, EC3A 3DH
12-Oct-2010	Tour of the Bank of England followed by lunch at the Baltic Exchange
5-Oct-2010	Committee meeting at The Baltic Exchange
9-Jul-2010	Tea on the terrace and guided tour of the House of Lords
6-Jul-2010	Committee meeting at the Baltic Exchange
9-Jun-2010	Greek Meze evening Dinner at Lemonia, Primrose Hill
3-Jun-2010	Civic Lunch at Guildhall in the presence of the Rt Hon, The Lord Mayor
11-May-2010	356th Festival of the Sons of the Clergy, St Paul's Cathedral
28-Apr-2010	Private tour of Mansion House and presentation to Sheriff David Wootton
6-Apr-2010	Committee meeting at the Baltic Exchange
24-Mar-2010	Dinner with Guest Speaker Mr Murray Craig BA of The City of London Chamberlain's Court at the Baltic Exchange
12-Mar-2010	Ward Mote Day at the Guild Church of St Katharine Cree
2-Mar-2010	Committee Meeting at the Baltic Exchange
2-Feb-2010	Annual General Meeting and dinner
Jan-2007	Whitechapel Bell Foundry

 

Ward Mote

The annual Ward Mote was held on 9 March 2011 at St Katherine Cree Church. Following a formal opening, our Ward Club Patron, Alderman, Lord Levene of Portsoken KBE, presided over the mote meeting assisted by our Ward Deputy, Douglas Barrow, and our Common Councilmen Dr Peter Hardwick QHP, Sylvia D Moys FCIS, David J Thompson BA(Hons) ACA and Hugh F Morris. A lively debate ensued with diverse questions from the floor ranging from library services to licensing of entertainment premises. Lord Levene fully explored the exact nature of the points raised and obtained detailed responses from the Deputy and Common councilmen. In a number of instances, the Common Councilmen replied they would raise any outstanding points at the next meeting of the relevant City of London Committee on which they serve.

Following a very successful Ward Mote, a number of Ward Club members enjoyed a social gathering for an informal lunch at the Mother and Mash restaurant close to St Katherine Cree Church.

Ward Mote's date back many centuries and provide the unique opportunity for Ward Club members and residents to raise and debate issues. If you haven't attended, or recently attended our Ward Mote, we would strongly encourage your attendance next year when again the intention is to follow the formal meeting with a social lunch.

 

House of Lords guided tour and tea on the terrace

Forty members and their guests enjoyed traditional afternoon tea (sandwiches, cakes, scones with jam and cream) on the terrace of the House of Commons before enjoying a tour of both Houses of Parilament. The event was so popular that there was a waiting list of 20. On a very hot day with a beautiful blue sky, the views from the terrace over the South Bank and the Millennium Wheel were particularly good.

Two groups of 20 set off on the guided tour after tea. As befitting the Palace of Westminster, the tours were full of fascinating historical facts and anecdotes and lasted well over an hour. The visit included both the House of Lords and House of Commons where members walked through the voting lobbies on the route.

The oldest part of the Palace, Westminster Hall, was built in the 11th Century and has a hammerbeam roof which was installed in the reign of Richard II. The majority of the Houses was re-constructed after a huge fire in 1834 in the Perpendicular Gothic style by Charles Barry with the aid of Augustus Pugin. The beautiful collection of paintings in the Houses include a set showing each of the wives of Henry VIII, as well as others depicting various Monarchs and historical events. Even the floor tiles (by Wedgewood) are things of beauty, as well as the wood carving and general architecture.

 

 

 

Civic Lunch at Guildhall

On 3 June 2010 the annual Civic Luncheon was held in the crypt at Guildhall with the Lord Mayor as principal guest.

Along with the Civic party, other guests included the High Commissioner for Cyprus and Deputy Ambassador of the Philippines. 100 members and guests enjoyed a good meal and excellent company.

The Lord Mayor, amongst other things, referred to Aldgate's contribution to the City and the national economy as the shipping Ward and site of the Baltic Exchange.

Our President highlighted the Lord Mayor's charity appeal, Pitch Perfect, and the success at raising some £400k with only three events. Nik also presented a small donation on behalf of the Club to the Appeal.

The Lunch was a resounding success and members and their guests had a most enjoyable time.

 

Private tour of Mansion House and presentation to Sheriff David Wootton

On 28 April 2010 we had a full-house with 40 members and their guests enjoying a fascinating and informative private guided tour of Mansion House.

Before the tour started, our President presented an especially-engraved photograph frame to Alderman David Wootton on his becoming a Sheriff of the City of London. In expressing his thanks, David commented on his long association with the Ward Club and looked forward to continuing his involvement.

During the tour that followed, we were privileged to visit many places not normally open to the public - such as the gold and silver vaults - and heard about the history and development of the building and some of its treasures.

The decor is stunning and everyone admired the magnificent collection of paintings and furniture, as well as the design of the building and such as the chandeliers that all contribute to the Georgian town palace that has acted as the home of the Lord Mayor since 1752 when it was first occupied. On the site of the former Stocks Market (destroyed in the Great Fire of 1666), Mansion House is truly a treasure - in every sense - in the midst of our great City.

Following the tour, everyone walked the short distance to the Baltic Exchange for an excellent sandwich lunch and an opportunity to chat and catch up with each other. We are particularly delighted that some of our newly-elected members were able to join us and I think that everyone would agree - if you missed this visit, make sure that you book early for the next time the opportunity arises!

 

 

Dinner with Guest Speaker, Mr Murray Craig

Members and guests enjoyed an excellent dinner at the Baltic Exchange which was followed by a talk by Guest Speaker, Mr Murray Craig BA of the City of London Chamberlain's Court.

Murray is known to many Freemen of the City of London as he presides over the ceremony in the Chamberlain's Court when the honour is conferred.

Murray's knowledge of the City, its traditions and history is exceptional. He is well-known for telling fascinating and sometimes amusing stories after the formalities of the Freedom ceremony and after dinner everyone enjoyed a bumper selection! Several times he had to pause for the laughter to subside before continuing, but we also heard about some of the famous people that had received the Freedom of the City over the past few months and some historical anecdotes about the City and some of its institutions.

 

Later, our President, Nik Skinitis, thanked Murray for his excellent talk and the mirth continued as he presented him with a copy of the History of the Aldgate Ward and the Ward Club itself. Nik also gave Murray and his wife Tracey Aldgate Ward Club lapel badges with which to remember the evening!

Everyone agreed - a truly enjoyable and interesting evening!

 

2010 AGM and dinner

The Club's Annual General Meeting was held at the Kingsway Hall Hotel on 2 February 2010 with a very good turnout of members. The 2009 President, Christopher Albrow, presented his report for his year of office which was very well received. He then transferred the Presidential jewel to our incoming President, Nicholas Skinitis, and all the remaining elections went well (the list of Officers can be found here).

 

Following the AGM, members and guests enjoyed a nice meal followed by a speech by His Eminence Archbishop Gregorios of Thyateira and Great Britain who spoke interestingly on world and local affairs.

 

 

 

The Whitechapel Bell Foundry

January 2007

History shows an unbroken line of bell founders in Aldgate since 1420 and the Guiness Book of Records shows the Whitechapel Bell Foundry as Britain's oldest manufacturing company. The company itself was established in 1570 and it still, as always, concentrates solely on making bells and associated fittings.

Big Ben, cast in 1858, is one of the most famous bells produced by the foundry and it remains the largest one made at 13.5 tons.

The building is a Grade II listed building situated along theWhitechapel Road, just a short way from Aldgate East station. Whilst maintaining the traditions and craftsmanship, the foundry introduces innovations and modern improvements and members of the Ward Club enjoyed a fascinating and highly-informative conducted tour.