Members of the club enjoyed a customised and detailed tour of the London archives put together by Emma the director.

We started with a walk-through of the standing collection and the seasonal exhibition which included a variety of city transport posters detailing the evolution of the various transport links and hubs of the City of London. We proceeded into the bowels of the archives to see how the collection is stored and were amazed to find over 30 km of records spanning 1000 years we were given a demonstration of the preservation process which included an incredible box making machine.

We took some time to review the records of the city surveyor as well as the ecclesiastical records of several of the city churches, including our own St Mary Abchurch and St Lawrence Jewry. We were then guided through the restoration and preservation centre of the London archives where we saw a number of documents several of which that had been damaged by water and were being painstakingly repaired page by page.

Members of the opportunity to speak to the conservators and view their work up close we then came to the most exciting part of the tour which was a special display of a variety of documents maps records and paraphernalia relating to the ward of Candlewick and the Candlewick Ward Club amongst the items was one of the original depictions of the Club coat of arms, showing the duckets or doves and candle moulds in spectacular relief on Vellum members were able to review the minutes of committee meetings invitations to club events all containing the most elegant calligraphy and many well known and historic names.

The centre of this exhibition included the oldest document held in the London archives, the William charter this piece of calf skin fits in the palm of one’s hand but has truly enormous historic importance. It was issued by King William the Conqueror in 1067 addressed to the citizens of London it is the first and oldest formal grant and recognition of the rights and freedoms enjoyed by citizens of London and many scholars agree it is the basis of the charters that followed including Magna Carta in 1215. A truly spine tingling experience to see this precious document in the flesh alongside the Royal Seal depicting William on horseback. We then enjoyed a terrific Italian feast in Exmouth market where we exchanged tales and many of the new things we’ve learnt.