£38.50 (Non JG member)
Overview
The Vintners’ Company, with its first Charter in 1363, is one of the Twelve Great Livery Companies of the City of London. With its origins steeped in the history of the City of London and the import, regulation and sale of wine, the Company maintains strong links with the UK Wine Trade, with Vintners’ Hall known as the Trade’s “spiritual home”. With its trade, social, charitable and educational interests, the Company continues to play an important role in the 21st century. The Livery Hall, now the venue for dinners and other events, was the original meeting place for members of the Company. The present room was built in 1671 and still retains late-seventeenth-century carving. The room was returned to its original appearance after the Second World War when the opportunity was taken to eliminate some of the more obvious Victorian alterations, including the stained glass. The alcove in the north-east corner, now containing plate, was the original entrance to the Hall. The ceiling was replaced in 1932-33 because of death watch beetle. The cement floored attic above it proved to be the salvation of the Hall from incendiaries during the Blitz. In August 2013 the ceiling was repainted in a stunning new colour scheme by Dolby & Taylor. Time for lunch in the St Paul’s area after the tour, before we head home.