City Walk and Supper 9th September 2008
At six o'clock in the evening twenty members of the Company met in the warm, cosy and murky atmosphere of Davy's Wine Bar in Creed Lane gathering together before venturing out to walk around the area of the City between St Bride Church and the Law Courts. Our guide was Bob Russell a Past Master and Liveryman of the Stationers' Company.
After a swift drink we moved out into Ludgate Hill and standing before St Martin's, Ludgate Bob gave us a short History of "Bowerie Row". Then we moved on to the beautiful Wren Church of St Bride, Fleet Street the Printers' and Journalists' Church. After a brief description of the life of St Bride (St Bridget) a lady who had a tendency to give away her and others wealth and drive chariots at great speed, we were taken immediately down into the crypt where we viewed the remains of the earlier Saxon Church, and of great interest was some Roman Mosaic Tessera which surprise the archaeologist when discovered. We then returned to the nave of the Church and admired the magnificent restoration which had taken place after the Church's destruction during the Blitz. The architects had sought to return the Church to the original design as conceived by Wren by removing galleries, moving the organ and allowing in Wren's beloved light. The 'Tromp d'Oeil' creating the illusion of an apsidal ceiling behind the reredos was much admired as was the wood caring which included images of the apostolic symbols and flambeaux.
Although the weather was not particularly pleasant Bob's tour then guided us to many of the fascinating buildings and their ancient history that are hidden gem's hiding behind the south side of Fleet Street.
On completion of the walk the party gathered in the William's Room of Ye Olde Cheshyre Cheese where we were welcomed with a glass wine and enjoyed an excellent hot finger buffet. After a great deal of lively conversation the party broke up just before ten.
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