10th August 2015
Dear Fellow Liverymen and Freemen,
Re: Society Guest Dinner – Friday 2nd October
I hope you are all having a most enjoyable summer. However, autumn is
approaching and with it, the next Society event which is the Guest Dinner. The
Dinner will be held at Tallow Chandlers Hall, 4 Dowgate Hill London EC4R 2SH,
on Friday 2nd October, 7pm for 7.30pm. This is a truly delightful Hall and marks a
welcome opportunity for the Society to dine there. The Hall sits on the buried walls of
the Roman Governor’s Palace and its gated entrance is at the top of Dowgate Hill,
just off Cannon Street.
The Tallow Chandlers Company was formed in about 1300 to regulate oils,
ointments, lubricants and fat-based preservatives and to manage candle making
using tallow (animal fats). Over the next 150 years they expanded in membership
and influence, until King Edward IV granted them a coat of arms in 1456 and full
livery status in 1462.
By the 1500s, the Company was looking after London’s trade in a wide range of
domestic goods, including sauces, vinegar, soap, cheese and herrings. They were
also intimately involved in the service of the City as tallow candles played a key role
in the compulsory street lighting for the City of London, and the Company supplied
the City Watch with 60 men.
The Hall has been on Dowgate Hill since 1476. However, the original medieval Hall
was burnt down in the Great Fire of London in 1666, so today's Hall dates from 1672
and has been in continuous use since then.
Apart from the loss of the original musician’s gallery, the Hall’s basic size, shape and
layout has changed little over the years. During World War II, bomb damage led to
some minor repairs and rebuilding, but the Hall itself survived largely unscathed.
Nowadays, the Hall has a well-deserved reputation as one of the most welcoming
and well preserved of London’s livery halls.
We have been most fortunate to secure as our guest speaker, William Hunt,
Windsor Herald of Arms in Ordinary at the College of Arms in London. Some of
you may recall a most enjoyable Society visit to the College of Arms a number of
years ago and William has spoken at one of our Dinners in the past. William was a
member of the Common Council of the City of London Corporation 2004-2013 and is
a Liveryman and Past Master of the Playing Card Makers’ Company. He served in
the Honourable Artillery Company, retiring with the rank of Major in 2000. He is a
most entertaining speaker and will greatly add to your enjoyment of the evening.
The cost of the Dinner will be £75 for Society Members and £80 for guests. The
booking form is attached.
I look forward to seeing you on 2nd October.
With best regards,
John Fahy
President 2015/16
THE SOCIETY OF THE LIVERY OF THE COOPERS’ COMPANY
Society Guest Dinner Friday 2nd October, Tallow Chandlers Hall
Name: _______________________________
Address: _____________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
Tel: ________________________
Email: _______________________
Please reserve the following places:
Society Member ...............@ £75
£
Guest.................................@ £80
£
Total £
Names of Guests
1
2
3
4
Please advise any dietary requirements for yourself and guests
Please return the form either by email or post (address below) to: Mr. Chris Nicholls,
Society Events Co-ordinator, at the earliest opportunity. Places will be allocated and
acknowledged strictly in order of receipt of application.
Email: events@fleurgifts.com
Tel: 01708 228054
Mobile: 07813 560080
Chris Nicholls, Fleurgifts & Homeware, 1 Station Road, Upminster,
Essex, RM14 2HT
Payment Arrangements
The Society’s preferred means of payment is by electronic bank transfer and for
reference the Society’s bank account details are:
Account Name:
The Society of the Livery of Coopers Company
Sort code:
60-80-08
Account number: 15669068
I confirm I have made an electronic payment for £.......... with the reference [Your
Name] Guest Dinner
Alternatively payment may be made by cheque and sent to Chris Nicholls at the
address shown.