80. Smithfield Tour, 7th June 2023


On 7 June the Mistress attended a Livery Consorts event organized by the Butchers’ Company and attended by the Lady Mayoress. 

A group of around 30 consorts gathered in Smithfield Market at the crack of dawn and were given a talk on the history of the market followed by a tour.   Smithfield is one of the largest wholesale meat markets in Europe with activity dating back to the mediaeval period.  It was a livestock market until the early c19th but now acts as a hub for meat preparation and sales, mainly to the catering, hotel and restaurant trades.  The current magnificent buildings date from the 1860s.  They will close in about 4 years’ time when the market moves out to Dagenham but are to be refurbished to house the new Museum of London.

This was a fascinating insight into the meat trade and as always a thoroughly congenial social event.  The only downside was the need to rise at 4.00 am but the consorts were revived by a glass of champagne and delicious breakfast at Butchers’ Hall.  The event concluded with a tour of the Hall which dates from the 1960s and is the 7th Hall owned by the Company.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

56. City Water Debate - sector leaders at the top of their game

Image
On 21 March the Company staged our flagship annual City Water Debate, at Bakers’ Hall. It was a sell out and we were all privileged to hear five leaders of our sector, all at the top of their game, share their perspectives on the governance issues facing the sector. It was like being physically in the room in one of Plato’s dialogues listening in first hand to leaders discussing the great issues of the day. We hold the City Water Debate annually on the eve of World Water Day and it was the fifteenth in a series dating back to my previous term as Master. The packed event attended by Sheriff Andrew Marsden, Alderman Alison Gowman, Lord Mayor elect our own Michael Mainelli (wearing our Company tear drop),  Masters of associated companies, a very strong contingent of our own members and high profile guests from outside the livery. The event was a fine illustration of the ability of Livery Companies to convene and participate in debate on the major issues of their sectors and was hugely e
Read more

82. Water Conservators’ Summer Reception.

Image
The Company held its Summer Reception on Tuesday 27 July in the Marie Louise Room at the Oxford and Cambridge Club - familiar to many of us from the Master’s Dinner earlier in the year. It was a perfect opportunity for new members and their guests to meet existing Company members. We were a most diverse and lively cast of characters and, as one might expect, it was a really great evening. Conversation (and wine) flowed on some time past the expected end time after which the Master was delighted to take a group of guests round the various public rooms of the Club. It was a most congenial and encouraging conclusion to the Master’s year. Colin Drummond OBE DL Master Water Conservator
Read more

67. Royal Garden Party

Image
On Wednesday 3 May your Master and Consort were hugely privileged to attend a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace hosted by His Majesty the King and Queen Camilla. It was a wonderful event in very favourable weather. Despite a very busy week(!) the King and Queen were very much in evidence talking personally to inspiring individuals who have done so much for their local communities; this is very much a theme of Their Majesties as demonstrated in yesterday’s Big Help Out. We met a number of fellow Livery Masters and consorts. (See attached photos of Master Turner, Fueller and Water Conservator and their respective Consorts). It was also a joy to be able to walk round the beautiful Palace Gardens which reflect the various styles and interests of our King and his predecessors.
Read more