275th Anniversary Dinner, 10th September 2022

In normal times, the SRCY’s grandest social engagement is a triennial event. However, as all of us are only too aware, we have not been living in ‘normal’ times, and so it was with a great deal of anticipation that members, friends, and guests gathered in the Ballroom of The Clermont, Charing Cross for the first time since 2018.

In the days leading up to the dinner several peals had been rung, including some notable firsts for the Society and some of its members. It was, in fact, during one of these peals that the sad news of the Queen Elizabeth’s declining health became public. Following the announcement of the Queen’s passing the officers did sterling work to maintain the programme of ringing, the dinner itself, and ensure the Society paid its respects to the late monarch.

Upon arrival at The Clermont we were greeted with a generous amount of pre-dinner champagne, or orange juice if such a thing were required, and an extremely convivial atmosphere as friends from all over the globe came together. Once seated in the grand ballroom we were treated to some very fine cuisine, and memorable speeches from Nick Holtam (Bishop Emeritus of Salisbury, former rector of St Martin in the Fields and an honorary member of the Society), Linda Garton and SRCY Master Michael Crockett.

As ever, Penny Sharpe had done a fantastic job in organising the dinner and the only slight downside to the evening was not of her making; who could have guessed that such an establishment as The Clermont would own not a single pint glass and that we would be forced to enjoy the Brewer’s Gold in halves!

Following the conclusion of the formal part of the evening the jollification continued at a suitable late-night venue. Much of that section of the evening is probably unprintable although the sight of an extremely stylish young man in a tuxedo sipping a Jägerbomb as his choice of digestif will live long in my memory. Here’s to 2025…

Sam Cave

View photos from this event in our gallery.

SRCY member please login to leave a comment:

Peals rung for the Society’s 275th Anniversary Dinner

5 peals so far has been rung for the Society’s 275th Anniversary Dinner

Limehouse, Greater London
St Anne
Saturday, 10 September 2022 in 3hrs 7mins (12-3-25 in E)
5040 Cambridge Surprise Royal
Composed by Stanley Jenner

  1. Margaret H Ross
  2. Anne M Anthony
  3. Oliver E Rice
  4. Joseph E T Waters
  5. Georgina Barratt
  6. Andrew D Hodgson
  7. Daniel J Page (C)
  8. Simon Kemp
  9. Matthew S Pearson
  10. Peter I Harrison

Rung prior to the Society’s 275th anniversary dinner.
Rung with the bells open following the Proclamation of His Majesty King Charles III.
600th peal: 2

Merton, Greater London
St John Div
Saturday, 10 September 2022 in 3hrs 0mins (11-3-27 in G)
5120 Spliced Surprise Royal (4m)
Composed by J S Warboys
1520 London No.3 S, 1200 Bristol S, Cambridge S, Yorkshire S

  1. Cynthia E Howell
  2. Adam S Greenley
  3. Eleanor C Mack
  4. Benjamin D Kipling
  5. David C Bath
  6. Ian G Campbell
  7. Luke G Groom (C)
  8. Annabelle F Frost
  9. Matthew C Gardiner
  10. Edward R Mack

Rung open for the proclamation of King Charles III on society anniversary day.
First spliced surprise royal: 3

Shoreditch, Greater London
St Leonard
Friday, 9 September 2022 in 3hrs 29mins (25-1-11 in Eb)
5042 Cambridge Surprise Maximus
Composed by Stanley Jenner

  1. Graham A Duke
  2. Stephanie J Pattenden
  3. Simon J Davies
  4. Michael R Crockett (C)
  5. Shirley E McGill
  6. John P Loveless
  7. Linda M Garton
  8. Peter I Harrison
  9. Douglas J Beaumont
  10. Mary E Holden
  11. Benjamin D Constant
  12. Thomas B Mack

Half-muffled in memory of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
1000th tower bell peal for the Society at Shoreditch, rung by the Master and eleven Past Masters on the eve of the Society’s 275th Anniversary Dinner.

Reading, Berkshire
26 Redlands Road
Thursday, 8 September 2022 in 3hrs 0mins (17 in A)
5016 Spliced Maximus (6m)
Composed by D J Pipe
6 methods: 1056 each Ariel S, Phobos S, Zanussi S; 880 Maypole A; 792 Deimos A; 176 Slinky Differential Little TP; 109 changes of method, all the work

  1. 1–2Katharine J Firman
  2. 3–4Jimmy L Yeoman
  3. 5–6Jack E Page (C)
  4. 7–8Daniel J Page
  5. 9–10Alex S Riley
  6. 11–12Richard A Pearce

In anticipation of the Society's 275th anniversary dinner.
275th peal: 9-10.
The first handbell peal of Cyclic Maximus for the Society.

Shoreditch,
St Leonard (Ringing room)
Thursday, 8 September 2022 in 2hrs 25mins (12 in F)
5088 Kent Treble Bob Major
Composed by W Hudson

  1. 1–2Jack E Page
  2. 3–4Daniel J Page
  3. 5–6Jimmy L Yeoman (C)
  4. 7–8Samuel C Cave

On the society handbells, in anticipation of the anniversary dinner.