Liveryman Peter Bennett writes:

In the bleak mid-winter when the frosty wind was certainly making one or two moan, members of the Livery, their families and guests gathered together to worship, make music and listen to the traditional words of Christmas time. St. Lawrence Jewry, next Guildhall was the venue for the largest congregation of our Liverymen for some years and what a splendid sound we created in those highly polished white and gilded surroundings. But it was the RICS singers directed by Clifford Dann who earned the musical accolades with some very fine ensemble and solo singing as well as anthems and descants to die for.

The words from familiar lessons were read eloquently by the great and the good including the Clerk, the Junior and Senior Wardens, the President of the RICS and the Master. However it was the two students from our adopted school St. Saviour’s & St. Olave’s who stole the show each reading beautifully part of one lesson. Our recently appointed Honorary Chaplain, John Kronenberg, gave the address with a strong sense of irony which was appreciated by all except one uninvited – and, it was evident, somewhat intoxicated – non-liveryman!

This most enjoyable pre-Christmas occasion was rounded off with splendid and convivial drinks and eats which, because of the size of the congregation, had to be taken at the specific invitation of the new Vicar of St. Lawrence Jewry, the Reverend Canon David Parrot, within the body of the Church, making a splendid backdrop to these festive celebrations.

And to crown it all, as a new Liveryman hailing from Yorkshire, how appropriate it was for us all to sing “While Shepherds Watched” to the tune of “on Ilkley Moor ba’t’at”! Our thanks for such a splendid and enjoyable opener to Christmas must go to our clerk Amanda Jackson and her assistant Cindy Vines for their tremendous efforts and success.