The Livery Newsletter and Gazette Issue 30 Spring 2019 | Page 16

The lunch was deliciously catered by Mark Grove
and his team at Cook & Butler and we cracked
along at a goodly pace. Our guests were admirably
introduced by Liveryman Fran Morrison and our
Principal Guest, Tim Wonnacott gave a generous and
very humorous reply to which I responded initially
by drenching poor Tim in a glass of water - he was
very kind about it (sorry Tim!). I was very pleased
to show off the newly found Livery Grant of Arms
and Letters Patent which have been missing for many
years - our Clerk tenaciously sought them out, and
the new Immediate Past Master, Chris Allen, and his
IPM, Mark Gower-Smith have funded a beautiful re-
Tower of London and the Ceremony of the Keys
presentation and they are now resplendent in frames
carved with tobacco leaves (or close to); Sandra also
On the 17th September 2018, 65 Liverymen and Freemen of the company as well as their guests attended the
located a huge banner not seen since 1985 and Angus
Ceremony of the Keys at The Tower of London. This was at the kind invitation of our beadle, Mark Anderson
Menzies, Clerk to the Master Mariners and never shy
who is also a Yeoman Warder.
of a challenge saw to it that it was displayed on the
Quarterdeck.
Mark hosted us and provided an interesting tour before the
ceremony
which included the Chapel and a visit to the Crossed Keys pub inside the
Whilst all this was going on, apparently biblical-
walls of the Tower. It's fair to say that we all learned a lot along the way.
style downpours were being had all over London
- oblivious
to all that drama we ended our lunch
The ceremony itself, which has been going on uninterrupted
for about
and
trooped
back to the quarterdeck where Coffee,
700 years, was something quite special. From the moment
that
we first
Cigars,
and
Cognac
saw the Warder approach with the keys to the challenge which echoes out awaited us (I did mention that
our keys"
Livery
enjoyed dining on the High C’s..) and
every night: "Halt! Who comes there?" and the reply: "The
which
which
seemed
is challenged again with "Whose keys?". The Warder then confidently to hit the mark – Liveryman Jemma
Freeman
had Keys.
kindly provided the torpedo cigars
answers "Queen Elizabeth's keys" and is told “Pass Queen
Elizabeth’s
and had had them placed in souvenir tubes with our
All’s well.”
Crest emblazoned on it. Several of us also sported
It finished with the playing of the last post and there was a a limited
further edition Livery Smoking hat - originally
opportunity to enjoy the hospitality of the Crossed Keys conceived
pub and smoke
a of shooting hat, it serves its
as a sort
pipe or cigar.
purpose so well as a “team” hat, that of the twenty
ordered, but one remained by the close of the day!
Sanctum Soho Hotel
Thank you to the Master Mariners for allowing us the
use of the venue, to Tim for being a perfect Principal
The roof terrace at the Sanctum Soho Hotel provided the venue for our
Guest, and for everyone attending and giving my
quarterly drinks on 27th November 2018 and we didn’t quite know what
year such a special start.
to expect. The rumours were that the place was owned by Iron Maiden
and that there was a 12ft gorilla on the roof. As it turned out, there was no
heavy metal and the gorilla was a statue and so perfectly harmless.
The Master
We were very well looked after with delicious (and quite substantial)
canapés and wine. A good many cigars were smoked and quite a few
people remarked that they would be coming back to this hidden gem in
central London.
Smoking Club Quarterly Drinks
Liveryman Stephan von Schilling
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