Glasses of Pimms, Champagne, delicious canapés and bunting greeted Liverymen and guests upon arrival at Butchers’ Hall for a special and most convivial June Court Luncheon.
Pushed back a week, for very obvious reasons, it was a time to celebrate The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and there was plenty of red, white and blue to be seen.
The menu started with Coronation Chicken, of course, followed by an excellent sirloin beef for main, generously donated by Liveryman Richard Taylor, of Owen Taylor & Sons Ltd. It was excellent, too.
Dessert was a fitting nod to the festivities by the Butchers’ Hall catering and venue management team at Bovingdons. They created and served the Platinum Jubilee Pudding from the winning recipe by amateur baker Jemma Melvin from Southport. Jemma wowed Mary Berry and judges with her Swiss roll and amaretti trifle (click for the recipe) and won a special nationwide competition run by department store Fortnum & Mason in honour of the Platinum Jubilee.
It went down rather nicely with a cold and sweet dessert wine, another extra treat. With the national anthem sung following the loyal toast it definitely felt a bit special. The patriotic, celebratory mood was summed up by Englishman, Dr Jason Aldiss BEM saying Grace, Welshman Warden Gwyn Howells proposing, Irishman Past Master Ian Kelly drawing the 200 Club, and a Scotsman as the guest speaker. Indeed, all four nations were represented.
Our guest speaker was Lieutenant Colonel (Ret’d) John A Kerr, the Deacon of the Fleshers of Glasgow which, like the Butchers’ Livery, has a long history, having been incorporated in 1580 to regulate the affairs of those who provided meat for the growing population of Glasgow.
John talked about the Fleshers and the Trades House of Glasgow, before telling us about his military service which included two Operational tours in Northern Ireland and The Falkland Islands, as well as West Berlin before the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Other notable guests of the Company included Murray Craig, former Clerk to the Chamberlain’s Court, a very recognisable face to the Liverymen in attendance.
Two new Liverymen were clothed with Francesca Wyatt and Stuart Robson taking wine with The Master after being admitted during the meeting of the Court that morning. Morgan Metcalfe became the latest member of the WCB Young Butchers’ Club.
Thanks also to Liveryman, Eric Dodd who donated the case of Champagne for the raffle which was won by Ali Kerr.
The 200 Club draw for June resulted in three lucky winners: The Providitor (Chris Wood), Liveryman Richard L Maunder and PM Andrew Parker.
And just when you thought you couldn't fit any more into a busy afternoon, Master Margaret Boanas opened the ‘Jubilee Arms’ on the ground floor following the Stirrup Cup, a new opportunity for further refreshment after a Court Lunch with a cash bar and plenty of choice.
Every Court Lunch is enjoyable, but for those who chose to attend this one, all were treated to something special. It marked a unique occasion and was another wonderful afternoon of fellowship.
LIVERYMAN ROB YANDELL