When we visited, for the Company’s Summer Event in July, the stadium for the horse jumping and dressage at the Olympics was nearing completion behind barriers and scaffolding. It’s a measure of Greenwich’s scale that the large arena was easily slotted in between grand buildings.
Some 20 liverymen and guests made the 20 minute journey by a powerful Thames Clipper from the Tower Millennium Pier. It’s a relaxed unhurried experience with views of London from an unfamiliar perspective. The exhibition, to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, brings together, in the National Maritime Museum, nearly 400 beautiful and interesting objects associated with historic Thames including Royal and City events. We saw spectacular gilded barges used in past pageants and celebrations, familiar paintings by Giovanni Antonio Canal known as Canaletto, livery uniforms and many strange and unfamiliar objects. There was even a section on the history of the livery company.
From there we walked to the newly restored Cutty Sark, still stunning despite the destruction of much of it by fire a few years ago. Then back by river for an excellent supper at the Thai Square Restaurant near Mansion House.
