Provocative and challenging... alternative yet inspiring... some of the words used by Liverymen and their guests in describing the response to the toast given by guest speaker Tracy Mackness, founder of the Giggly Pig Company, at the May Court Lunch held at Painters’ Hall.
The Master, Graham Baker, was delighted to take wine with Liveryman Gerald Shortland for his efforts in raising money for the Master’s Million fund by completing his first ever Half Marathon in Bath, and with Liveryman Bob Reid in celebrating his 85th birthday.
In proposing the toast to the guests, Liveryman Mike Attwood thanked Gressingham Foods for their generous donation of Gressingham Duck “cooked two ways” and welcomed the Prime Warden of the Shipwrights’ Company, and the Masters of The Armourers and Brasiers, Wax Chandlers and Cooks companies together with their respective Clerks.
What followed was different!
Ms Mackness had the audience spellbound when describing the rollercoaster events of her life story.
From working on her father’s fruit stall in Romford Market, being sentenced to ten years for her part in a conspiracy to import £4m of cannabis, to turning her life around in prison. Tracy told guests how she developed skills and acquired qualifications in pig husbandry and pulled no punches in describing her attitude to life and state of mind, developing, in her words, from drug dealer to sausage celebrity.
Those in attendance at Painters' Hall heard the incredible inside story of Tracy's success in becoming an entrepreneur: from winning a £5,000 prize in The Sun 'Trading Places' competition to developing a successful farming business with 600 pigs, owning and running a successful butchers’ shop and an award-winning gourmet sausage business employing 22 staff with 15 vans. Ms Mackness is also a best-selling author with an autobiography, Jail Bird: The Life and Crimes of an Essex Bad Girl, and she left no stone unturned in keeping the audience on the edge of their seats.
Overall, it was another wonderful occasion where Liverymen and their guests were entertained, while enjoying networking and fellowships from all corners of the meat industry.
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