Loughburians’ London Dinner is held in historic livery hall
We were delighted to host the Loughburians’ London Dinner on Friday 26 April, and welcome over 120 guests to the black-tie event held at the Barber-Surgeons’ Hall, Barbican, London.
We were joined by alumni from across the schools whose class years spanned each decade since the 1960s, with some turning the occasion into a reunion celebration, whilst others enjoyed the opportunity to reminisce about their time at school.
Guests were welcomed into the historic livery hall and directed to a drinks reception that was buzzing with the sharing of memories and laughter.
Guests then moved through to the Main Hall where Chair of the Loughburians Alumni Association Committee, Dr Clare Burnett (LHS 1997), welcomed guests and spoke fondly about her time at school, the lifelong friends she made and her memories of ‘The Barrier’! Clare rounded off her welcome by inviting alumni to join her in the first verse of the well-known and much-loved School Hymn – with alumni jumping at the opportunity a rousing rendition of the hymn was sung with some from the class of 1997 wanting to carry on into the second verse!
Guests then also heard from the newly appointed Director of Development and Alumni Engagement, Stuart Swan, and although Stuart was yet to officially start his role, he was keen to attend the dinner to begin meeting alumni. Alumni also heard from David Simmons (LGS 1963), who spoke of the Barbers and the Livery Movement in Education and his time he spent at school, before introducing the LGS Head, Helen Foster. This was Helen’s first Loughburians’ London Dinner and she was thrilled to have the opportunity to meet so many alumni some of whom had travelled from Switzerland and America to be part of the evening.
Grace was given by LHS Head Fiona Miles before alumni were treated to a delicious three course meal. Entertainment for the evening was provided by Silhouette artist Alison Russell who circled the tables and captured many guests silhouettes by snipping it straight into black paper. Alumni were delighting in the likeness she had created with such simplicity and ease and were able to take them away as a small memento of the evening.
Once the formalities ended for the evening the room was bustling with conversation which could have gone on for hours with some alumni seizing the opportunity to continue their reunions and merriment elsewhere.
This year’s Dinner was a sell out so if you are hoping to join us at the next dinner then keep an eye out for more information and make sure you book your ticket early!
To view all the photographs taken by the professional photographer visit the flickr page here: Loughburians’ London Dinner | Flickr
