On Wednesday 27 May, the day that our Annual Banquet should have been held, our first ‘Virtual Event’ took place. The Virtual Afternoon Tea was a great success and even though it was our first attempt at using Zoom technology, it all ran relatively smoothly.

Following a warm welcome by the Clerk, the Master opened the event sitting in a shaded spot of his peaceful garden in Northamptonshire. Our Honorary Chaplain the Rev Andy Rider shared some thoughts with members, closing with a prayer, then the Clerk spoke about what was happening in the wider livery world.

We then attempted a ‘general chat’ over tea, cake, or whatever refreshments people had chosen (which incidentally varied from a mug of tea or iced coffee, to champagne & strawberries!). It all worked remarkably well we felt. At its height, we had 38 people on screen!

Senior Warden Julie Fox gave us a cheerful speech and introduced her guests, the newly installed Mayor of Bromley and the Prime Warden of the Basketmakers, who followed with some thoughts of their own. The Master then closed the Afternoon Tea, which really did have all the feel of a proper livery event!

If the immediate feedback is anything to go by, it was well received and very much enjoyed by everyone and will almost certainly be the first of a number of virtual events to come. We don’t really know when physical meetings or events will be possible again, so this is the next best way of keeping everyone connected. It certainly does feel that you are connecting when you can see someone’s smiling face!

Karen Sylva, Executive Assistant