Page 11 - Yearbook issue try out

The Beadle’s motivational emails
gave us hope and support, and his
fitness video took us to new heights!

Flushed with success, it was time to
raise our game and be a little more
ambitious. It was clear that the
Mansion House banquet was not
going to happen – what could we do?

The Equalities Committee tested the
water with a black-tie dinner for 25,
with the attendees linked via Zoom –
and it worked, and worked well. In for
a penny. The splendid virtual summer
banquet mirrored the Mansion House
in so many ways: we welcomed the
Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress; we Raise your glasses:
shared an identical (and very fine) Steve Smith responds
menu, delivered to our homes by the
catering company; we had traditional
(and not so traditional) entertainment from a very Since then, the Journeyman Scheme has run a
talented and animated soprano; the same Beadle fabulous curry night, and the remarkable CITO
kept us in order; and we had a different breakout Regatta featured enthusiastic, patriotic singing
group for each course so that the 150 attendees – and – your correspondent’s favourite part of the
yes, 150! – could talk to as many other people as evening – a bucket of water being poured over Past
possible. Master Stefan Fafinski.

All the work from the organising volunteers and
the Hall team was much appreciated. We know
how much time Alan Simpson spent on it – from “Thanks,” says the Clerk, “to all
practice comes seamlessness! It is all too easy in the volunteers and to the Hall
what very quickly has become hindsight to forget
how difficult this has all been. team for doing so much to keep
the pillar of fellowship intact
A right shower: and our flag flying throughout
Stefan Fafinski
at the Regatta lockdown – and beyond.”

Our experience – and documented best practice –
has helped other Companies to follow suit.

So while we are looking forward to face-to-face
contact once again, we will keep going with virtual
events as we ease out of lockdown: a virtual “Third
Thursday” will become a regular feature and will
benefit those members of the Company who find it
hard to come into London, and there may even be
a “new normal” for many of the Company’s more
formal meetings.

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