50th Anniversary 2010

On a cold and wet February evening in 2010, there was a very warm atmosphere at the 50th anniversary of the Inaugural Banquet of the Company of Launderers at Guildhall.  After relentless downpours of snow, hail and rain the sky cleared in time for the ceremony of  Beating Retreat performed by Her Majesty’s Coldstream Guards.

A spectacular start to what was to become a spectacular evening was attended by over 600 people associated with the laundry industry and special guests. In attendance was The Right Worshipful the Lord Mayor Locum Tenens, Alderman the Lord Levene of Portsoken KBE, accompanied by Lady Levene, Sheriff Peter Cook with Mrs Julie Cook and Masters of 24 Livery Companies.

After the Master took the salute, a champagne reception was held in the Old Library followed by a 5 course gala dinner in the historic Medieval Great Hall. The quality of the food and wine was exquisite, served by the highly efficient Party Ingredients and accompanied by The Brass Quintet of the Royal Artillery.

During the evening a number of presentations were made, including The Company’s silver medal presented to Corporal James Flannery, Royal Logistic Corps TA. A presentation of an anniversary commemorative scroll was also made to the two founder members in attendance Senior Past Master Mr Neville Wells and Past Master Mr Arthur Kennedy OBE.  After excellent speeches were made by Senior Warden Martyn Lewis and Lord Levene of Portsoken KBE, the Master closed with a vote of thanks to all those who attended and organised, what was a very memorable event in the Company’s history.