New Year Luncheon 17th January 2020
The Carpenters’ Hall played host to our New Year Luncheon. The new venue with greater capacity soon filled with our members and their guests. The larger reception area allowed free movement to the
bar and had more room for everyone to network.
Everyone was then seated in the magnificent Hall for lunch which kept with tradition by serving a Steak and Kidney pudding which was well received but all.
Lunch was followed by the President’s Speech in which David Howard started by thanking the staff of the Carpenters’ Hall, the Caterers (Cook and Butler) and the bar staff (Bangers) for the great
food, drinks and service. David also thanked the committee members for their hard work and dedication to the club with a special thanks to Frank Cosentino and Rupert Walker for their hard work in
organising the luncheon. Members were also thanked for their continued support of the London Hardwood Club, which is in its 83rd year and still as strong as ever.
The President also commented on the future changes within the committee where in May, Rupert Walker will be stepping down as ‘Joint Honorary secretary’ due to other commitments, and that Rupert Green
agreed to step up and carry on his good work.
The President also mentioned the sadness of losing friends and colleagues from the Timber Trade and named the loss of Ray Kershaw of ‘James Webster & Brothers’ and Terrence Mallinson of ‘William
Mallinson & Sons’. A toast was proposed to ‘Absent Friends and Colleagues’
The President then spoke about the quality of the guest speakers throughout 2019, he thanked them all again for giving their time to the London Hardwood Club and our members. Four of the speakers were present at the lunch and were warmly applauded.
The President mentioned how he was voted in as president in May 2016, which was the same year that Dave Hopkins became the MD of the TTF. He commented on how Dave Hopkins has turned an average
timber trade federation into the modern and relevant machine that it is today. David was pleased that the LHC had supported Dave and his team and hope that they both continue to support each other in
the future to strengthen the hardwood timber trade.
The president remarked on how he had enjoyed the past four years as being president and announced that it was now time for new blood with new ideas. David mentioned again about Rupert Walker stepping
down as ‘Joint Honorary secretary’ due to other commitments, he said that the ‘other commitment’ where that Rupert Walker has agreed to take on the challenge and will be voted in as our next
president and the AGM in May. David said that Rupert has a great passion for the timber trade and the London Hardwood Club, and will make a fantastic president. David wished Rupert the best of luck
and hoped he would continue to have the support of our members that he has enjoyed over the past four years
The President’s speech was followed by the guest speaker, Mind-reader magician Mr Graham P. Jolley. A member of the inner magic circle with gold star, Graham amazed everyone with his mind reading
skills and had everyone in fits of laughter with dry humour. He finished by writing 16 numbers in a square then surprised everyone when every line, column, corner, internal squares etc. all added up
to the number thought of by Frank Cosentino. It was amazing and a big hit with all our guests.
The raffle was sponsored by 21 member companies which was used to purchase an excellent range of prizes. Ticket sales raised £3110.00 which was divided equally and donated to the TTBS and MacMillan
Cancer Support.
After lunch the networking continued at the Carpenters’ Hall until 6:00pm, then ‘following tradition’ many members moved on to Bangers. With a side room made available to the London Hardwood Club
members and extra staff behind the bar, it was a great way to round off a most enjoyable day.