CitySolicitor
Alderman David Graves Liveryman, Hogan Lovells International LLP
Livery Dinner 27 November 2013
There are many good reasons for wanting to be a Liveryman of the Solicitors’ Company (certainly from my own experience) but one of the more enjoyable aspects is the opportunity to enjoy a hearty meal with good (even vivacious) company and in very grand surroundings.
This by no means is what being a Liveryman is all about, but it offers a memorable experience which those that have experienced it tend very much to look forward to repeating.
The opportunity to dine with fellow Liverymen and their guests (all suitably fortified with fine champagne) contributes more than adequately to the vivaciousness of the occasion. The grand surroundings this time around were contributed by Clothworkers’ Hall just off Mincing Lane in the City. The Clothworkers’ Livery Company is the 12th in order of precedence and is thus one of the ‘Great Twelve’ Livery Companies of the City. The present Hall is the 6th to have been built, the 5th being destroyed by bombing in 1941. Although not an ancient hall, the scale is impressively large and was a magnificent setting for the occasion.
14 • City Solicitor • Issue 84
Our 184 hosts and guests more than amply filled the reception room next door to the main hall.
The menu was a very well-balanced combination of salmon and avocado puree and some caviar to start, followed by rack of lamb with a turnip puree and roasted salsify and steamed greens, with pear with caramel mousse to finish. The Company’s cellar came into its own with a Chateau Grand-Puy Ducasse 2003 from Pauillac to accompany the lamb. Appropriately enough it seems that the estate’s true “inventor”, Pierre Ducasse, was a lawyer passionately interested in everything to do with wine.
In addition to eating the food and enjoying the conversation, there are three staples to a Livery Dinner, toasts, speeches and a loving cup. The former can be numerous
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16