FIWAL is delighted to invite you to a Platinum Jubilee High Tea on Tuesday 7th June 2022 at a unique location, the historic Hall of the The Worshipful Company of Ironmongers.

With a musical interlude on women composers and poets presented by concert pianist Bobby Chen and a speech by Alderman- Emma Edham.

Time: 2.30pm - 5.00pm

Location: Ironmongers' Hall, Off Shaftesbury Pl, Aldersgate St, Barbican, London EC2Y 8AA

Dress Code: Red, white and/or blue and hats or crowns encouraged!

Group bookings of 8 - £400, thereafter £50 pp. In order to make a group booking please email us at: events@fiwal.org.uk

For individual tickets, please kindly book through Eventbrite.

Please let us know if you have any food allergies or special dietary needs by emailing: events@fiwal.org.uk

Bookings will close on Monday 30th May 2022.

Musical Interlude Programme by Bobby Chen

NADIA BOULANGER - Vers la vie nouvelle

CLARA SCHUMANN (née WIECK) - Drei Romanzen Op.21

Andante

Allegretto. Sehr zart zu spielen

Agitato

LILI BOULANGER - Trois morceau pour piano

D’un vieux jardin (à Lily Jumel)

D’un jardin clair (à Ninette Salles)

Cortège (à Yvonne Astruc)

There will be a raffle with exciting prices - please bring cash!

The Worshipful Company of Ironmongers

One of the livery companies of the City of London, incorporated under a Royal Charter in 1463. The Company is tenth in order of precedence and is, therefore, one of the Great Twelve Livery Companies.

The history of the Company dates back over 700 years and with its roots in the iron trade, today the Ironmongers’ Company, a non-profit company gives back to society through administering seven charities which focus on the young and old and Iron related causes, as well as enjoying each other’s company through taking part in a wide range of social and sporting activities in the company and across City of London and wider UK.

Giving is the common thread between their past, present and a sustainable future.

https://www.ironmongers.org/

Bobby Chen

Described by International Piano Magazine as: “...an armour-clad player of complete technique, a thinking musician, a natural Romantic.”, Bobby Chen studied with Ruth Nye and Hamish Milne at the Yehudi Menuhin School and the Royal Academy of Music, and burst on the scene in a British tour with Lord Yehudi Menuhin and the Warsaw Sinfonia, and a recital at the Royal Festival Hall as part of the South Bank Prokofiev Festival. He was soloist under conductors Mathias Bamert, Maximiano Valdés, Michał Nesterowicz, Sir Neville Marriner, Pierre-André Valade, Lan Shui, Jonathan Bloxham and Giancarlo Guerrero, made his Italian solo recital debut at the Fazioli Concert Hall, given four solo recitals at the Wigmore Hall, and broadcast for Classic Fm, Raidió Teilifís Éireann, Radio Television Hong Kong and Pianoforte Chicago.

www.bobbychen.org

History of the Worshipful Company of Ironmongers

The earliest records suggest that the Ironmongers, then known as Ferroners, were an effective body in 1300, when they took action against the smiths of the Wealds of Kent and Sussex over the quality of iron cart wheels in the City of London. By 1328 they were firmly established, joining in the elections of the City officials and choosing four of their members to treat with the Mayor and Sheriffs.The Ironmongers' received a grant of arms in 1455, describing them as the "Honourable Crafte and Fellasship of Fraunchised Men of Iromongers", and a charter of incorporation from Edward IV in 1463. Further information can be found on their Archives page.

Two salamanders form the crest of the Company's arms; mediaeval salamanders reputedly being able to survive fire. The charter granted power to appoint a "Master and two Keepers or Wardens". A subsequent Act of Parliament required Companies to prepare ordinances for approval by certain of the King's officers over matters such as the preservation of trade secrets, the qualifications of members, the regulation of apprenticeships, domestic matters of the fraternity and the settlement of internal disputes.

The Company suffered extortion under Henry VIII, Philip and Mary and Charles I, and a similar attempt in 1684 under Charles II, which called into question the validity of the charter of the City itself and those of the Livery Companies. Although the latter was halted by James II, the Company was fined a considerable sum by Judge Jeffrey in 1668 to redeem their charter. Since Stuart times the Livery Companies have been left in relative peace.

As the focus of the iron industry moved to the Midlands and the north of Britain so the activities of the Company have become more focused on education and charitable work. Giving is the common thread between their past, present and future.

Emma Edhem

To further celebrate the Platinum Jubilee High Tea, we will have the honour of Emma Edhem who is an Alderman of the City of London Corporation. She is the 5th woman to be elected – the Corporation is over 850 years old. She Lead Scrutiniser for Public Order and Strategic Firearms on the City of London Police Authority, Governor of the City of London School for Girls, Governor of Christ’s Hospital, Governor of Royal Bridewell Hospital, on the Accession Council to the Throne, Committee of the Honourable Artillery Company (they house 2 active regiments – the Light Cavalry and the Reserves), Liveryman (on the Court of The Worshipful Company of Woolmen), Chairman of EMYA Global (strategic global facilitators for trade and investment), Deputy Head of International Law at No 5 Chambers (barrister, mediator and arbitrator – specialising in geopolitical, commercial law and fraud, bribery and corruption), and of course Chairman of the TBCCI (first woman to hold the role).

Alderman Emma Edhem was awarded the 2016 Grassroot Diplomat Award for outstanding politicians, in the Business Driver category, for leadership of the TBCCI and in support of businesses and corporations. She was also the recipient of CEO Today Business Women Awards 2018 and the ‘Honour of Community Involvement’ Eduplus Award in November 2013 in Turkey.