2010 Informal Dinner

On the evening of Saturday 11th September, over 40 members and friends enjoyed dinner in the Globe Restaurant at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Shoreditch. The restaurant is on the 7th floor, and affords magnificent views to Canary Wharf and over the City of London, including many of the churches at which the Society rings regularly.

Pre-dinner drinks were taken on the balcony in the sunshine, although it was little breezy outside for some who preferred to stay inside, or maybe this was so they could stay closer to the bar? The bar was serving Abbey "Bellringer" real ale, although the bar staff required some instruction from JJ Ford on how to actually get the beer out of the barrel!

After watching the spectacular sunset from the balcony, we sat down to dinner and grace was said by our guest, the Reverend Paul Turp, Vicar of Shoreditch. Following the meal, Derek Sibson spoke about Paul's contribution to the Society over the years, and Paul was presented with his Honorary Life Membership certificate by the Master. Paul had been elected an honorary member in the 1990's but we had not quite managed to get his certificate to him before now!

Paul then spoke briefly about the Society and in particular our relationship with Shoreditch church. Paul said how proud he had been for Shoreditch to host the National 12 bell eliminator in March, in particular as the Society had won on the day and the St Paul's Cathedral team had been soundly beaten into fourth place. Perhaps he didn't realise that Ian Campbell, sitting just in front of him, had rung in the St Paul's band!

The Master then said a few words of thanks to Jo Dorling and Penny Sharpe, who had worked hard to organise the evening. They were presented with flowers to warm applause from all those present.

The remainder of the evening was spent in chatting and catching up with friends, before the hotel staff began removing the tables, giving us the distinct impression they wanted us to leave!

Of course, some ringing was done over the weekend as well, with peals successfully rung at Shoreditch on the Friday evening, Walworth on Saturday and Spitalfields on Sunday.

Thanks again to Jo and Penny for a fantastic evening.

Mary E Holden

View photos from this event in our gallery.