Dear Fellow Loriners

At last it looks as if restrictions are coming to an end and, hopefully, we will be able to meet again in a few months time. It's been an extremely long wait but the end does now seem in sight. 

A message from the Master

Back in January I received an invitation from the Master Chartered Accountant to a virtual Pancake Day on Shrove Tuesday. ‘ How’s this going to work?’ I wondered. It was to be black tie and we were issued with the recipe.

On the day, 60 Masters assembled on Zoom all correctly dressed and, like me, having made their pancakes in advance – that is all except the Master 

 Chartered Accountant who was going to give us a live demonstration on how to make, then flip, a pancake. Before this could take place we were given the history of the Pancake Day celebrations at Guildhall by the Master Poulter. We also listened to a most inspiring talk from Paralympic gold medal winner Naomi Riches who is coaching the Master Chartered Accountant for his sponsored row of the Thames from source to mouth later this year.

Finally, we came to the important bit. Master Graeme, resplendent in a chef’s apron, measured out the ingredients, whisked them furiously together and 

dropped spoonfuls of mixture into a sizzling pan. The tension mounted as he faced the camera and launched the first pancake into the air. Success! It flipped beautifully and landed back in the pan in one piece. Not content with one attempt, he cooked another pancake and flipped it several times to much applause from us all. Meanwhile, those of us in the audience had eaten and enjoyed our pancakes in peace and calm out of the limelight. It was a most enjoyable evening and great fun.

Loriners meet for a tour of Wren Churches

On Thursday 18th February Loriners met by Zoom for a splendid presentation by Fiona Lucas on the life and architecture of Sir Christopher Wren, who designed 51 churches for the City of London following the Great Fire of 1666.  

Fiona took us on a virtual tour of some of the churches with photographs of the fine interiors. Fiona compared the towers and spires of several churches and Wren's ability to design domes for churches like St Paul`s Cathedral,

which took 35 years to be built and by the completion in 1710 Sir Christopher was 78 years old. His congenial ways helped him to live to the great age of 91 - a real achievement in those days.   

We also saw two churches that are now private homes in the City.

We look forward to returning to the City in the months ahead and I am sure some of us will wish to make small detours on our journeys to visit some of the fine churches Fiona highlighted.    

Thank you to Tony Proctor for this summary of the evening.

News about our charitable activities

Riding for the Disabled - Enriching lives through horses

As you know, our charity has, for many years, supported the RDA. Their horses benefit the lives of over 25,000 disabled children and adults. With fun activities like riding and carriage driving, they provide therapy, fitness, skills development and opportunities for achievement – all supported by 18,000 amazing volunteers and qualified coaches at nearly 500 RDA centres all over the UK.

Click here to see a letter of thanks from the Long Furlong branch in West Sussex.

World Horse Welfare

This amazing charity works towards a world where every horse, donkey and mule everywhere in the world is treated with respect, compassion and understanding.

You should read about the great work they do by visiting their website by clicking here. Enclosed here is a letter of thanks from them for the Loriners' support.

Our donations really do make a difference!

The Big Curry Lunch

For a number of years, the Big Curry Lunch in April at Guildhall

has raised significant sums for the Soldiers' Charity. Those of you who have attended in the past will know what fun it is! This year it will be "virtual" but the need is as great as ever - please see here how you can support the cause. 

Future events

Don't forget the Magic Evening tomorrow night - 16 March - at 7.30pm.

Whilst we wait for "in person" events to start, we have held a number of very successful “Meet and Greet” socials on Zoom over the last months. The next one is on the evening of 15 April when the focus will be on letting you know what our Charitable Trust has been doing over the last year. More details to follow in early April but please note the date.

Finally, the Master and Wardens would like to wish all Loriners a very Happy Easter.

Communications Committee

15 March 2021