Past Amitié Events

Concert and Buffet at The George on Sat 2oth November 2021

A departure from normal events as this was a lunchtime concert on a Saturday to ease travelling. We were entertained by an excellent performance by No Strings Attached led by Rag Philip Purdie. Our president also welcomed our newest member George Hadley

Tavern Evening at the Shad Indian Restaurant, Wednesday 19th February 2020

A new venue and arrangement including our guests Sarah Cowdrey and Emma Mitchell from St.John the Baptist CE School who gave a talk on their plans for the 2020 Presidents Project

Visit to the Masonic Grand Temple at Great Queen Street, 24th January 2020

A guided tour of the Grand Temple and the War Memorial followed by a lunch at The Ship in Lincolns Inn Fields

Concert Evening and Buffet at The George on Saturday 30th November 2019

Another splendid concert given by “No strings attached“ followed by an excellent buffet supper

Tavern Evening at The George on Tuesday 15th October 2019



Tavern Evening at The George on Thursday 23rd May 2019

In a change from our usual fare, we enjoyed a Fish & Chip Supper!

Gala Dinner at The RAF Club on Friday 12th April 2019

A splendid evening in magnificent surroundings!

Tavern Evening at Williamsons Tavern on Wednesday 20th February 2019

Our guests were Naomi Hargate and Jane Reynolds from the Ebony Horse Club which is the 2019 Presidents Project

Xmas Concert and Buffet at The George on Saturday 5th December 2018

“No strings attached“ gave a splendid concert followed by an excellent buffet supper

Gala Dinner at The RAF Club on Friday 4th May 2018

Another visit to a splendid venue!

Tavern Evening at The George on Thursday 24th May 2018

Tavern Evening at The George on Wednesday 21st February 2018

Tavern Evening 21st May 2013 at the Victoria

A change of venue for our May Tavern Evening saw us venture further a field into Paddington in the Theatre Bar at the Victoria public house. Good food and wine and a most impressive room.

Essex members lunch at the “Royal Oak”, 8th May

Karl Biscoe and Jeff Jarman , with their wives, joined the Essex members lunch at the Royal Oak in Stapleford Abbotts for a very pleasant lunch with some tasty seafood.

Ladies Banquet 22nd March 2013 at the RAF Club

As is customary, we held our annual Ladies Banquet at the end of March. For the first time we were able to secure the very prestigious RAF Club in Piccadilly .It was a wonderful evening in lovely surroundings. A great time was had by all.

Tavern Evenings 23rd October 2012 and 12th February 2013

Both these Tavern evenings were held at our usual location of the George Inn at London Bridge. The welcome is always warm and friendly, the food hearty and the company excellent.

Whitechapel Bell Foundry Visit- 11th October 2012

This was a repeat visit of the previous year’s very popular and enjoyable tour and buffet dinner. It gave members and their guests the chance to sample a great night that were unable to make the first visit. It was another roaring success!

Visits to the Foundling Museum 26th July and 18th October 2012

Two visits were made to the Foundling Museum to accommodate everyone’s diary. A most enjoyable and educative guided tour followed by a meal at a very lively Italian restaurant opposite.

Walking tour of the Olympics site 20th June 2012

A party of Ragamuffins and their wives joined a guide tour departing from Stratford tube station for a very interesting walking tour of the shortly to be opened Olympic site followed by an interesting Brazilian meal at a restaurant overlooking the Stratford gate.

Trip to Venice 30/4 - 3/5/12

Following last year’s trip to Bruges/Ypres, Karl Biscoe co-ordinated a trip to Venice at the end of April, suggested by Chris Wayman (now a Venice resident) and his wife Anna.

Although only five Ragamuffins and wives were able to take up this opportunity it was a truly enjoyable trip. In addition to doing the traditional Venice tourist sight-seeing, we were treated to extra activities courtesy of Chris and Anna. After visiting Chris and Anna’s wonderfully restored Venetian house we all enjoyed a traditional Venetian meal alongside a canal in a local restaurant.

The next day we had a private tour of St Mark’s Basilica where Anna is a registered guide. We were very grateful for their efforts and making our trip truly memorable.

Our hosts Chris and Anna

Outside Chris and Anna's house

Ragamuffins dinner with Chris

Ragamuffins' wives with Anna

Ladies Banquet - 30th March 2012

At the end of March 2012, we returned to the City University Club, this time for our annual “Ladies Night”. It had proved to be a popular venue for Tavern Evenings and offered exceptional value for this event. The thirty three attendees were not disappointed! Additionally we were treated to a short after dinner speech from David Woodhead, Chair of the Friends of the Froth Blowers (seen below with our President), a charity which achieved considerable success in the 1920’s helping children in London whilst having an “amitie” side like the Ragamuffins.

Tavern Evening - 9th Feb 2012

After our traditional Christmas break our next Tavern Evening was arranged for the City University Club on the 9th February 2012, our second visit for its very popular renowned steak and kidney pudding and real coal fires in the bar and restaurant .A very welcome turnout of 27 attendees enjoyed an evening of “amitie” with seven guests including Jennifer Vernor-Miles, fund raiser for the Downside Youth Club near London Bridge. Jennifer, who attended with her husband, was there to talk about the club’s work in a deprived area of London and to support Rag Michael Selway who was running in the London Marathon for the club. The boys and girls from the club man a water station at Tower Bridge and, in return, are granted three running places, one of which Michael took up, raising nearly £3000 and running a creditable 3 hours 59 minutes!

Whitechapel Bell Foundry Visit - 24th Nov 2011

November saw our first visit to the Whitechapel Bell Foundry. This proved to be a most interesting and enjoyable evening at England’s oldest manufacturing establishment, including the casting of Big Ben and the Philadelphia bells in its history. The tour was conducted by the owner himself who also proved to be an excellent wine waiter at the buffet dinner in the adjoining Georgian house. We saw the full range of their bells and manufacturing processes right through from the original surprising casting “materials”/processes still in use for all sizes of bells down to small hand bells. I am sure the second visit arranged for the 4th October this year will be equally enjoyable.

Tavern Evening October 2011

Our Autumn Tavern evening was at our spiritual home of the newly refurbished George Inn on the 6th October 2011 .To be honest, the George had not seemed to have changed that much, perhaps a good thing! Twenty one diners, including two guests, enjoyed a typical hearty meal and excellent company.

Royal College of Arms visit September 2011

The 14th September 2011 saw our second visit to the Royal College of Arms, courtesy of David Viner. This visit was as popular as the previous year with, once again, the maximum number of 20 attendees allowed. We were treated to an excellent talk, viewing of original artwork/correspondence, all followed by a first class buffet meal with wine.

Ladies Banquet - 18th Mar 2011

Trip to Bruges and Ypres 18-21/5/10

Rags assemble at a British Memorial at Hill 60 outside Ypres

Quasimodo Tours to Flanders Fields!

We found just one solitary poppy!

Farewell supper in the Market Square, Bruges.

Ladies Banquet - 26th Mar 2010

Click here to download the menu

Immediate Past President Rag. Frank Savage and Hon Grants Secretary Rag. Bill Kirkbride enjoy an aperitif,

Three Members� wives chat before dinner

Rag. Tony Gammon, Hon Membership Secretary [Past President], Rag. Tony McAleenan, Past President, Rag. Tony Hickey and guest.

Vice President, Rag. Karl Biscoe, entertains two of his lady guests.

Rag. Godfrey Ashmore joins Rag Karl Biscoe's table for dinner

Rags. Granshaw, Smith, Frankland, Gammon and Viner with their wives and guests

Rags. Savage, McAleenan, Hickey, Jarman with wives and guests

Tavern Evening - 27th Jan 2010

On 27th January 2010 we kept up the recent tradition of having our regular Tavern Evenings at the George Inn, Southwark, and thirty members and guests attended for a three course set menu and wine included and attracted two new members for 2010, Rags. Andrew Hadley and Graham Pepper.

The George - by Roger Adams

College of Arms Visit - 24th Feb 2010

Rag David Viner organized a very interesting visit to the College of Arms on the evening of 24th February 2010 which was attended by 20 members and their wives and guests. It was a fascinating insight into English Heraldry and we were shown, first hand, the original artwork and correspondence for Lord Nelson, Harry Secombe, John Major, Paul McCartney and many others dating back as far as the 1400's. Then followed an excellent buffet supper. We may go again due to its popularity!

Centenary Dinner - 22nd March 2001

Click here to download the menu

President [2001/2] Rag. Ron McRobbie and his wife, Sylvia, welcome Rag. Tony Hickey and Mrs Maureen Hickey

.........and a welcome to Rag.?

The President and Mrs McRobbie show off the original scroll of Rules and List of Members dated 20th March 1901.

Rag. Tony McAleenan joins the jollity.

Another group of revelers including Rag. Roger Adams and Jackie Adams.

The wooden casket is beautifully carved and decorated with silver shields and plaques bearing the names of all members who have held the office of President. The Casket contains the original membership list and Rules of the Society and other memorabilia and is put on display at formal dinners.

A toast is proposed at dinner!