Chris Simmance’s Journal of Freemanship

Freemen’s Festive Lunch – A Joyful Gathering to Round Off the Year

On Wednesday, 11 December 2024, 15 Freemen came together at The Albion Blackfriars for a relaxed and fun festive lunch. Organised independently, this wasn’t an official Company event, but rather an informal opportunity to connect, celebrate the season, and enjoy great food and fellowship.

An Easy and Enjoyable Gathering

From the start, the aim was to make things as simple and enjoyable as possible. The Albion Blackfriars, located at 2/3 New Bridge Street in the City of London, provided the perfect setting. With its warm atmosphere and excellent menu, it was a fantastic spot for this year’s festive gathering.

Thanks to some careful planning and handy links for calendars and menus, everything ran seamlessly. I arrived ahead of time to ensure seating was sorted, and by 12:30 PM, the group was settled in, ready to enjoy an afternoon of good food and even better company.

A Festive Feast and Fellowship

Over the course of two hours, there was plenty of laughter, conversation, and festive cheer. Everyone kept track of their orders (mostly!), and at the end of the meal, we wrapped up with a smooth and easy process for splitting the bill. Some Freemen chose to linger a bit longer, continuing the merriment over a pint or two.

Looking Ahead to Next Year

The success of this year’s festive lunch has inspired me to make this an annual tradition. It’s a wonderful way to connect in a more informal setting, away from the usual structured events. If this year is anything to go by, next year’s lunch promises to be just as fun, if not more so!

Thank You to All Who Attended

A big thank you to everyone who came along and made this such an enjoyable afternoon. It was great to see familiar faces and to share a few laughs as we rounded off a fantastic year for the Freemen.