Following the refurbishment of Stationers’ Hall in 2022, the Annual Christmas Lunch took place on Friday, 9 December. The refurbished Hall looked resplendent and suitably festive to welcome 185 members and their guests to the lunch.

Prior to the start of the lunch, the Master bestowed Honorary Freedom on the Commanding Officer of HMS MEDWAY, Commander Chris Hollingworth. The ceremony took place in the beautiful Court Room with Rococo ornamentation in gold adorning the walls, in front of the grand fire place and 18th century carved mantelpiece.  

Commander Chris Hollingworth then presented the Master and Company with a framed painting of HMS MEDWAY on the high seas in the Caribbean.

The Beadle called members and their guests into lunch in the Main Hall with its beautifully furnished carved oak panelling originating from the 1600’s. The Master, Wardens, Principal Guests and the Clerk then processed into the Main Hall.

The Master welcomed everyone and invited the Singers from the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, located in the minstrels’ gallery, to start the festivities with a seasonal song. During lunch the Singers from the Guildhall School of Music & Drama sang two further pieces.

The Master thanked the Master Stationer for allowing us to use their Hall and thanked the Singers from the Guildhall School of Music & Drama for entertaining us during the lunch. The Master also expressed his gratitude to Mr Steve Evans and Amberstone for their continued support and generous sponsorship of the event. The Master then invited members of the Company to join him in toasting the guests.

The Beadle introduced Commander Chris Hollingworth, who responded to the Master on behalf of the guests, and proposed a toast to the Company.

As is our tradition, the Singers from the Guildhall School of Music & Drama invited all guests to join them in a rousing rendition of ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ to draw the lunch to a close.