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Worshipful Company of BasketmakersEvents from 2004 |
Stewards' Club Presentation Dinner (Nov 2004) |
 The
Basketmakers' Stewards' Club Annual Dinner takes place in November,
on this occasion the 25th dinner was held at the Athenaeum Club in Pall
Mall. Traditionally, this is where the Immediate Past Prime Warden is
presented with a gift from the Stewards. Past Prime Warden Raymond Graham
was given a bronze figurine of Agnes Oakes as Juliet from the ballet
Romeo and Juliet. It is inscribed with a plaque: "Raymond Graham,
Prime Warden 2003/4 from the Basketmakers Stewards Club." IPPW
Raymond Graham was delighted to receive it and thanked all Stewards,
past and present who contributed. |
Visit to Apsley House (Sept 2004) |
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The Dukes dual career as soldier and politician brought him victory against Napoleon Bonaparte at Waterloo in 1815 and a term as Tory Prime Minister in 1828-30. Known as the "Iron Duke", Wellington earned the nickname for the iron shutters he had installed at Apsley House after rioters broke the windows in protest over his Reform Bill. The house was Wellington's residence from 1817 until his death in 1852. After the fascinating house tour our party strolled down Piccadilly to the RAF Club (kindly organised by Assistant Leonard Williams DFC) where a buffet lunch was enjoyed. |
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Visit to Belgium (August 2004) |
 The
August trip to Belgium organised by the Prime Warden, Raymond Graham,
and his wife Etty, was a whirl of activity, starting and finishing
in Guildhall Yard, with a coach acting as a magic carpet all the
way. First stop Bruges, where Etty's knowledge of her homeland made
her a splendid commentator as the Basketmakers group explored the
city, on foot or by canal.
Next to Dilsen-Stockem, (left) to the Basket Museum, and the town's Basket Festival. Wonderful baskets and their makers were on display in the streets, flower decorations everywhere.
A tour of the Museum next day illustrated the area and its history with its collection of baskets, and basketmaking demonstrations. Later the group had a fascinating tour of the district, with villages and narrow roads a real challenge for the coach driver! A Gala Dinner provided an opportunity to thank the Deputy Mayor, the Curator and staff of the Museum for their hospitality.
Lunch in a very special restaurant on the way back to the ferry set the seal on a highly successful adventure. (click here for larger images) |
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The Lord Mayor's Sechseläuten Visit (April 2004) |
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The Lord Mayor, Alderman Robert Finch, Prime Warden Raymond Graham,
Past Prime Warden Norman Woolley, Assistant John Clarke and their
wives were guests of the Letzi Guild at the Sechseläuten
parade in April. The Lord Mayor used his visit to cement the relationship
between the two financial centres of London and Zürich, as
well as furthering the friendship between the Livery and Guilds.
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United Guilds' Service (March 2004) |
| At a meeting of the Twelve Great Companies in 1943
it was decided to hold a Service in St. Paul's Cathedral, the idea
being that it would lift the spirits of the City following the blitz
during the Second World War. This 62nd Service, which took place
on the 26th March in St. Paul's Cathedral in the presence of the
Lord Mayor, has become an annual event and is one of the few occasions
where the Livery Companies and Guilds of the City gather together
as a whole. It is a colourful and interesting spectacle to see almost
every Livery Company and Guild represented by Masters, Prime Wardens
and Upper Bailiff, together with, their Wardens, in their splendid
robes and badges. The Service, with an illuminating sermon given
on this occasion by the Bishop of Southwark, was certainly uplifting,
terminating in a rousing rendition of two verses of the National
Anthem.
A most enjoyable lunch was held after the Service at the Butchers Hall with the Basketmakers table pictured below.
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The Griffin Brewery (April 2004) |
 The
Basketmakers Livery Committee organised a tour of the Griffin Brewery
on the 5th April which in the interest of research your scribe decided
to attend. The visit was limited to 30 people and the whole process
of brewing was demonstrated. They brew one million pints of beer
a week. Volunteers (bravely led by PW Raymond Graham as shown) were
able to sample the range of fine ales. The visit concluded with
luncheon at the adjoining Mawson Arms. Delighted to report our Clerk
was able to organise 'a very successful event' in a brewery! |
Following
the visit to the battlefields of Waterloo, a visit to the Duke
of Wellington's home, Apsley House, was arranged for the 7th September.
The house is still the London home of Wellington's descendants
but ten immaculately restored rooms are open to the public as
the Wellington Museum. These rooms contain a rich collection of
art treasures from the Duke's travels. There is an impressive
collection of outstanding paintings, porcelain, silver, furniture,
medals and other memorabilia. Dominating the art collection is
a sculpture of Wellington's rival Napoleon wearing only a fig
leaf. This double life-size statue by Canova is 11 feet high.
