Hard hats and hi-vis jackets were the order of the day as our team of intrepid Liverymen and volunteers ventured into Butchers’ Hall to begin the task of shining and polishing our silverware in readiness for the first Court Lunch on Friday 6th September.
The Hall is still, of course, technically, a building site until it gets handed back at the beginning of September and a good health and safety briefing was a sensible start to the two-day working effort.
Led by Warden Margaret Boanas, members of the Interior Design team, together with family members and other enthusiasts, took to the task willingly, buffing and shining to their hearts content with great enthusiasm, gusto and fellowship.
Tales were told and memories recalled of events at the Hall while Silver Livery goblets, candelabra, plates, challenge cups and chains all got the same loving treatment with no effort spared until every piece was gleaming.
We were, intermittently, rewarded with a visit to one of the other floors to see the work being done there. A visit to the Great Hall coincided with the rehanging of the Vestry Tapestry, previously removed and stored before being professionally but lovingly cleaned, and the positioning of the portraits of the Queen Mother and Princess Royal - real highlights.
There’s still a lot of work being done at the Hall, but, with the finishing line almost in sight seeing the Tapestry replaced and the portraits rehung reminded us of the splendid grandeur of the Great Hall… enough for us to be able to say, “the Butchers are coming home.”
See you in September!
See what's happening when we return 'home'...
Butchers' Hall Events
Our latest list of events is available to book online - plus there are other upcoming dates for you to mark in your diary - take a look.