Committee

Visits to a number of Livery Company Halls in the City of London have been arranged over recent years, and the number who joined the trip to Tallow Chandlers on Monday 19th January was a clear indication of the continuing popularity of these outings.

The Tallow Chandlers, although 21st out of 113 in Livery Company seniority, is not as wealthy as some of the larger Companies. It is, however, one of only thirty with their own premises, a real asset in the modern day City of London. Besides their ceremonial activities, the members focus strongly but unobtrusively on charitable giving.

We were treated by the Beadle to a most interesting one hour guided tour of the courtroom, the parlour and the very grand dining hall (photo above left). The history, both of the Company and of its premises, was fascinating, especially the descriptions of their fortunes during the Great Fire of London in 1666 and the Second World War. In the former they were fortunate to be led by a Master who had the foresight to remove a large number of their records (including the 15th and 16th century Royal charters pictured above) and treasures in time to save them from the flames. In the latter, in 1941, they were blessed by particular good fortune, when a direct hit by a 500lb pound failed to explode.

A short walk to the excellent Ye Olde Watling pub for lunch in the upstairs dining room – Sir Christopher Wren’s office at the time he was drawing up the plans for St. Paul’s Cathedral – rounded off a most enjoyable day.

Andrew Fermor