By the kind invitation of the Mistress Pavior, the Mistress
Water Conservator attended the Paviors annual Consorts Luncheon held at the
Charterhouse on Charterhouse Square. It was a very enjoyable occasion and
historically interesting too.
Although the Paviors Company, ranked as they are at number
56, have been in existence since 1479 (and maybe even earlier), they no longer
have their own Hall. However, since 2010 they occupy premises (known as Paviors
House) at Charterhouse near the Barbican. This was the venue for the luncheon
and also the starting point for a very interesting tour of this most ancient
building.
The Mistress Pavior and her colleagues led the party of
guests around the site – first built on in c. 1371 – pointing out the many surviving
features. These included the Great Hall and the Chapel as well as the living
spaces for ‘the Brethren’ who call this place home. It was hard to imagine one
was in the heart of a capital city, it was so quiet and peaceful.
The strong links with education were also explained as was
the association with Charterhouse School in Godalming, Surrey. This fits neatly
with the Paviors objective to ‘further the craft of paving’, the realisation of
which requires training and skills development. All interesting stuff.
Luncheon was held in the Great Chamber and included some
fine wine tasting; most agreeable. After the loyal toast, former Sheriff Fiona
Adler gave an interesting and humorous speech about her time working with the
then Lord Mayor, Sir Andrew Parmley and as acting as wingman for Sheriff Alderman
Tm Hailes. Some very candid insights into life in the fast lane!
And then there was the opportunity for consorts to network
and make new friends. Thanks must go to the Mistress Pavior and her team for a
very enjoyable lunch.
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