Royal Visit to the Turners’ Stand at the LMBCL
The Lord Mayor’s Big Curry Lunch was back in Guildhall London on 18th April 2024. This is an annual event and its’ main aims are:
• To raise funds to support veterans of all the services, both Regulars and Reservists, and their families
• To raise awareness in the City community of the role of the Armed Forces of the Crown, particularly among the younger generation
• To build awareness of the three national service charities that work ceaselessly to support all members of His Majesty’s Armed Forces – Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity, Army Benevolent Fund, Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund, visit the websites to read some incredible stories
• To emphasise to City workers the breadth and depth of the City’s philanthropy in support of those in society who need help in a variety of ways
The Turners’ Company were there with willing volunteers, and a fantastic stock of turned goods to sell, largely donated by our woodturning community. Reg Hawthorne donated the main item for the silent auction, and Katie Armstrong (@kt.turnings) and Dan Smith (@dansmithrpt) turned some wonderful bread boards, which we sold in conjunction with a loaf of bread from the Worshipful Company of Bakers.
HRH The Princess Royal visited our stall and spoke to Past Master Andrew Mayer, fortunately an amateur turner himself, so he was able to answer some of her more technical questions! Michael Hockney MBE, the organiser of the lunch was super interested in Reg’s exquisite egg which was crafted from recycled blackwood and decorated with brass trim and faux enamel. The ‘surprise’ inside, in the style of a Faberge Imperial Egg, was a brass bi-plane, very fitting for the event.
Andrew Mayer presented the Princess Royal with a beautiful turned bowl made with old Bramley apple tree wood by Colin Seabrook and she seemed delighted, showing it off to Sheriff Masojada’s wife, Jane, who also purchased an item (a miniature goblet, unnamed sadly so we don’t know who made it!).
In total, we raised £1400 for the Soldiers’ Charities. A big thank you to our woodturning community who generously donated items for sale, and to all our volunteers who gave up their time to help out.
It was a very successful day; we will be back next year.
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