On 27 January, the Feltmakers’ Livery Society gathered at the Walbrook Club, which lies betwixt Mansion House, Rothschild’s, Bloomberg’s European HQ and the Bank of England, for a most convivial and memorable dinner. Organised by the Master, the evening demonstrated the enduring fellowship and good humour which characterise our Livery Society.

Seventeen members made the journey to the Club, many travelling considerable distances and overcoming the day’s rather testing power cuts that had disrupted train services.  Spirits remained undimmed as guests assembled in the bar for pre-dinner drinks, the soft murmur of conversation quickly transforming into the lively exchange that is a hallmark of such occasions. Friendships renewed, new friends made.

Dinner was served upstairs in the Club’s elegant dining room, where a splendid three-course meal awaited. The main course of guinea fowl, perfectly prepared and paired with an excellent selection of wines, drew particular praise. Laughter and conversation flowed easily through the evening, evoking the convivial traditions upon which the Society was founded.

Speeches were deliberately short yet eloquent – the theme of: “we would have taken that” being used to run through the several events the Livery Society had arranged over the last year whilst noting (with a nod to the Mastercard adverts) that: “despite the increase in the price of gold, nights with the Society were “priceless”.

Particularly heartening was the sight of newer members mingling effortlessly with long-standing colleagues, fulfilling the vision of the Society to: offer the opportunity for newer members of the our Livery to connect and meet fellow Liverymen in relaxed settings, whilst strengthening the friendships and ties that make our Company a sustained and vibrant community.

So how best to summarise the evening?  The 1979 chart hit by Chic “Good Times” gets closest with the lyric: “leave your cares behind, these are the good times”.

Tim Stocks