Summer Dinner 2025

“Those with the necessary stamina retired to the Parlour for a Stirrup Cup”

Our 26 June Summer Dinner fell in English Wine Week – something that would not exist without climate change bringing to England weather that for centuries enabled northern France to enjoy some of the finest wines in the world.   

We already had the same landscape so now English wine is (sort of) more French than the French – especially so where French wine producers have bought land and planted vineyards!  Founders on April’s Sussex Wine Tour had diligently researched the best available – so Tinwood Blanc de Blancs 2021 was served in the Priory Garden as guests assembled there (another result of climate change being our increased use of this space). 

English wine (Camel Valley Bacchus, Cornwall, 2022) continued with the Dinner’s first course, but then we thought it better to allow some “compare and contrast”, so served claret, Sauternes and tawny port.

After the meal Past Master Ronnie Sichel generously presented the Company with some items of silver tableware that in past years had been gifts at the Company’s then Ladies Dinner – all bearing the Company crest and all hallmarked. 

These had been given to him by his godmother Rosalind Hodsoll Heath, the daughter of Captain Alfred Hodsoll Heath (twice Past Master in 1925 and 1942).  Past Master Sichel proposed a toast to the Company.  The Master responded, with thanks for these gifts, and proposed a toast to the dinner guests.

Those with the necessary stamina retired to the Parlour for a Stirrup Cup.

Author - Revd Keith Stephenson, Clerk