Looking ahead to 2024 - Social Programme

We at the Guild of Mercers Scholars hope that you have had a very happy Christmas and are enjoying the festive holiday.

Looking ahead to 2024, we have a varied social programme of events to look forward to, many of which can currently be booked here:

Friday 21st March 2024 – Speaker Series - Tony Paice

Our Past Master Tony Paice will host an evening discussing his recently published book ‘Overkill or Underkill’, covering his personal involvement in the events surrounding the Gulf War and the Iraqi takeover of Kuwait in 1990, in particular the seizure of BA flight 149 and the hundreds of passengers which were held hostage. This event will be available to book early next year.

Saturday 13th April 2024 – Tour of the Old Operating Theatre - 9a St Thomas St, London SE1 9RY

A visit to the oldest surviving surgical theatre in Europe, discover this unique part of the history of medicine and surgery located in the early eighteenth-century church of the old St Thomas’ Hospital.

Thursday 16th May 2024 – Virtual clay pigeon shooting with the Guild of Young Freemen – Clays Bar, 55 Moorgate, London EC2R 6LL - 6:30pm for 7pm - 8:30pm

Aimed at our younger guildsmen and apprentices, enjoy an evening of light competition with the Young Freemen of the City at virtual clay pigeon shooting. No experience necessary, just turn up and enjoy a fun, relaxed night in the City.

June 2024 - Tour of the Middle Temple and the Royal Courts of Justice

Join us for a tour in the heart of legal London as we visit the Middle Temple, one of four Inns of Court to which barristers must belong. We will enjoy lunch underneath the famous hammerbeam roof of Middle Temple Hall before we continue our day with a tour of the Royal Courts of Justice. Date to be confirmed. 

May – September 2024 - Tour of Lord’s Cricket Ground - St John's Wood Rd, London NW8 8QN

Go behind the scenes at the ‘home of cricket’, steeped in over 200 years of history and tradition. An expert guide will take us through some of the most iconic parts of the ground including the Grade II*-listed Victorian Pavilion, the world-famous Long Room, the Players’ Dressing Rooms, and the MCC Museum, home of the Ashes Urn – cricket’s best-known artefact. Date to be confirmed.

June / September 2024 – Livery Hall Tour

A look into the past and splendour of one of the many varied livery halls in the City of London. Date and location to be confirmed.

Saturday 6th July 2024 - Fighter Command at Bentley Priory - Mansion House Drive, Stanmore, London HA7 3FB

The home of Fighter Command during the Battle of Britain, join us as we look into the story of ‘The Few’ who defended the skies in early World War Two and ‘the Many’, the ground crew without whose work on the ground victory would not have been possible.

September 2024 - Sheep Drive

After the success of the Guild’s inaugural participation in the City’s Sheep Drive, why not join us in September 2024 and take part in the unique opportunity to exercise your ancient right as a Freemen of the City of London and herd sheep into the City of London. Date to be confirmed.

With best wishes for the coming year,

The Guild of Mercers Scholars