45. Tour of the Apothecaries’ Hall and Visit to Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, 17 October 2023

 

Members and friends of the Company gathered in Black Friars Lane near the route of the River Fleet where we were greeted by Nick Royle, Clerk (Chief Executive) of the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries.  While Nick introduced us to the building on part of the site of the Black Friars Proiry we kept a watchful eye for high speed cyclists.  The site included a factory for manufacturing pills, drugs and medicinal compounds needed by the medical profession as well as until recently a shop to sell the products.  The drug factory, built in the 1780s, was on the ground floor underneath the Great Hall.

We learnt that the current Hall is the oldest remaining Livery Company Hall in the City of London, having been acquired in 1632.  It was originally the guesthouse of the Dominican Priory of the Black Friars but the original Hall burnt down in the Great Fire of 1666 and was rebuilt in 1672.

Although damaged in the Second World War, much of the external façade of the building has altered little since the late-18th century.

Nick then took us into the old Apothecaries Shop, which has been converted into a champagne bar reflecting the changing demands of the customers (doctors).  He drew our attention to the amazing collection of ceramic and glass containers with potions for every ailment.  They also have a fascinating collection of old books.  Nick pointed out the slender columns in the middle of the room put in mid last century to support offices above with no regard for the implications for the room we were in.

One area of considerable interest to the Company was the wine cellar, storing quantities for more than medicinal purposes only.

We were impressed.

We returned to the Court room where Nick provided us with superb wine from the odd bottles which they do not have in sufficient number for their dinners.  It was not due to the wine, the floor does drop significantly to one side of the room!

The Company still conduct exams in their Great Hall.  In 1917, while the First World War was ravaging Europe, a certain young student was working to become a qualified pharmaceutical assistant.  In order to dispense medicines, she had to sit three exams at Apothecaries Hall.  She passed two oral exams but had to sit the final one twice after failing it the first time around.  Agatha Christie later used her knowledge thus acquired in her writing.

Our grateful thanks to Nick and his expert champagne cork hunting dogs.

Court Assistant Christine Jarvis then gave us a fascinating mini guided tour of the area round Bridewell and St Bride’s Church. We learnt that Bridewell Palace was built for Henry VIII as a main London residence 1515–1523 although he preferred to eat at Black Friars Hall, which may have had something to do with a girl, Anne Boleyn.  It is where the king negotiated with the papal delegation on whether the he could divorce Katherine of Aragon. Solution: set up a new church.

Christine also gave us a history of the newspaper industry around Fleet Street. We eventually ended up at the Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese where we were able to sample traditional real ale and good pub food.

Our thanks to Christine for organising our visit.