By Liveryman Simon Jones

Everybody loves a good curry, and the Engineer’s Company is no exception. So, on Thursday, April 10th, the Master, a Past Master and five other Liverymen arrived with vim, gusto and relish to participate in the Lord Mayor’s Big Curry Lunch at the Guildhall. Well, we would have, but it was not a well-organised event. We queued up outside for the best part of an hour to get into the Guildhall and many experienced the same while queuing for the curry and then deserts. Could do better……

Nonetheless, it’s a fun and relaxed occasion with sponsors’ showcases, champagne bars, and art galleries all centred around a hall of Korma, Nan and Lassi. Most livery events are ones where we get to meet fellow engineers. This is one where you get to rub shoulders with members of many other companies. And I mean ‘rub shoulders’, as it is a very crowded event and after queuing up school dinner style for vittles, you sit tightly packed at trestle tables wherever you can find a space.

We found space next to Coachmakers and Framework Knitters, where connections were made and anecdotes exchanged. It reminded us of the centrality of good conversation and fellowship in Livery activities.

It’s a pleasant event and much different from more formal livery dinners. Suitably fed and watered, we stretched our legs in the spring sunshine, exchanging business cards, promising to do it again while dabbing off the vindaloo spots on our ties. Come and join in next time; overall, it’s a fun event for good causes and an excellent opportunity to meet new people.