107. CITY CONSORTS’ ANNUAL NEW YEAR’S LUNCH AT THE IRONMONGERS’ HALL, 29 January 2024


The Worshipful Company of Ironmongers host a regular Monday Luncheon Club for members of all Livery Companies and their guests.  It has become the tradition of City Consorts to hold a New Year’s Lunch at this beautiful hall, tucked away beneath the brutalist architecture of the Barbican – a wonderful surprise when rounding the corner from the old Museum of London roundabout (the City’s only roundabout).

The champagne reception in the Drawing Room was a lively affair, with people delighted to mingle again after the Christmas break, to renew old acquaintances, and to make new ones – for the membership of City Consorts is constantly changing and growing, welcoming new Consorts and new future Consorts.  It was a pleasure to meet a former Consort of the Cutlers of Hallamshire venturing south.


At 60 or so (mostly female) diners, City Consorts took up most of the Dining Hall, with a few (male) Ironmongers seeking refuge on a separate table.  Our seating plan was totally random, with each member finding a seat by drawing a number from a bag.  Food, wine and conversation was as enjoyable as is to be expected from these occasions, and laughter echoed round the hall as we ate our fill, and filled our diaries with new and interesting meetings.  Coffee and truffles completed the meal, and all were reluctant to leave.

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