Each year the Master plans a weekend for members of the Livery. Our Master this year, Barbara Harding and her husband John organised a visit to Bristol, which is a City with a long history of trading across the world, similar to that of the City of London.
A party of 46 gathered at the Bristol Hotel on 15th June, with the first event of the weekend being a convivial dinner at the hotel, where conversation flowed and a lot of catching up with each other’s news took place.
On Saturday morning we enjoyed a guided tour of the City, looking at both historic sites and the more modern developments. Bristol University has a student population of over 30,000 so the City has a very young and dynamic feel to it.
The Group in Bristol’s Millenium Square
The Group in awe of Brunel’s Clifton Suspension Bridge
On Saturday evening we enjoyed a boat trip around the harbour to the Pump House, where we enjoyed an 8 course tasting menu, which was a different and very enjoyable experience.
On-board and heading off for Dinner!
For Sunday morning and afternoon the Master had organized a trip to the Avon Steam Railway, where we experienced travelling by steam train and enjoying an excellent Sunday (Fathers Day) lunch in the dining coach.
The group waiting to board our steam train for lunch
The Master checking the steam engine out!
On Sunday evening a Gala dinner was held on SS Great Britain, the first iron ship to be built, which was the brainchild of the great Victorian engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel. We were able to explore the ship, which has been wonderfully restored and then enjoy a very special dinner on board.
The Lightmongers Group on-board SS Great Britain for the Gala Dinner
The evening finished with a vote of thanks to Barbara and John for organizing an excellent weekend and to the Clerk, Phill Hyde, for his help. Senior Warden Steve Thomas announced that the Masters Weekend for 2019 would be held in Malta from 17th to 19th May 2019, so reserve the date in your diary!
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