More about the trip to the Old Bailey

Because of my work with the Framework Knitters Museum, and the fundraising I have done for them, I was suggested as a candidate for an outing. The past Master of the Worshipful Company of Framework Knitters last year, Liz Green, became elected as the liveryman Sheriff of the City of London. There is another Sheriff, an alderman, who inevitably becomes the next Mayor of London. They serve for one year and have to live in the Old Bailey so one is always on hand to support Her Majesty's Judges at all times. They take it in turns to invite "interesting" people to lunch with the judges. Liz decided this week would be themed craft and heritage building skills, and her link with our Chair of Trustees resulted in my invite. Her dad was Barrie Byford - you may have heard of Byford's Socks. It started off with Champagne in Liz's office for the seven visitors. The other six invitees were from the Worshipful Companies of Basket Makers, Furniture Makers, Woodturners, Pewterers (he wore hand-cranked socks!), Upholsterers, and Rachel, who has a Royal Warrant to make hats for the Queen. All very friendly and chatty, the official photo is above. Can't take booze into lunch, they stopped that 430-yr old tradition of claret some years ago apparently, you can only have water. Met the judges and went in, 23 of us in all. Quite simple lunch, pan seared fillet of hake with Pont Neuf Potatoes (chips!), strawberry tart, cheese board, coffee with chocolate mint, and then the judges went straight back to work. No processions, no ceremony. The judges either side of me, Anne Molyneux (who asked about the crocheted fuchsias I was wearing) and Andrew Lees, were very jolly and chatty, still in their robes and wigs. A really lovely outing, I feel so honoured to have been "picked". Keep knitting, it can be an exciting life!