Report on the Civic Luncheon

On Thursday 5th June 2025, we were honoured to receive our Patron, The Right Honourable The

Lord Mayor, Alderman Alastair King DL and the Lady Mayoress, at our Civic Lunch held in The

Crypt, St Etheldreda’s Church. We were equally pleased to receive both Sheriffs, Alderman & Sheriff

Gregory Jones KC and Sheriff David Chalk, along with his consort, Mrs Miranda Chalk.

We should have had the reception in the garden, but sadly, the English weather got the better of us.

It proved no problem, however, resorting to our back-up plan of the far end of the ancient Crypt,

which, given its remarkable ambience, turned out to be a superb alternative.

Thank you, Reverend Prebendary Jeremy Crossley, for starting us off with Grace. We enjoyed

fabulous food, prepared by the Bleeding Hart restaurant, and the Lord Mayor said the food was

delicious and the venue was a lovely change from the normal suspects.

Other notable guests included Andrew Marsden, Past Sheriff and Chairman of the Royal Society of

St George, and Vanessa Dal Busco, President of Aldgate Ward Club.

May I thank my two Stewards, Andrew Howard and Efraim Ie for meeting, greeting and helping

guests down the steps because of the inclement weather. Efraim also acted as the banner bearer. Abig thank you to Millan Sachania for playing the music. A huge thank you to Emma Woods, who

orchestrated the whole event.

Finally, thank you to all the Past Masters, members and guests who supported the event.

Chris Edge, President