Members and Friends of the Guild, as well as the guests they entertained at the Harvest Service and Lunch, are full of praise for the event as an opportunity for networking, to celebrate harvest – and have a good day out!
Hannah Lloyd (right) of Pinstone Communications said: “Visiting the Guild harvest service at St Brides Church, Fleet Street for my first time, I was dubious as to what to expect, if I must be honest. However, the service really was something to behold.
The choir, which people had told me were good, were excellent; simply amazing. Their professionalism and ability to turn even a Robbie Williams song into a thing of beauty was truly admirable. I am not one to be blown away by people’s ability to sing, but this was something else!
“The luncheon that followed at the Stationers Hall was an example of British agriculture at its best with a menu highlighting all that is seasonal, and cooked to perfection. It was an excellent occasion to meet and greet contacts old and new; a really valuable networking opportunity for people in the agricultural communications industry.
“I would thoroughly recommend members make the trip to London next year for this excellent harvest service and lunch.”
Another first-timer, Simon Gee, said: “It certainly is a gem and I shall go again for sure.”
Christianne Glossop attended as a guest of event organiser Howard Venters, Shepherd Publishing and wrote to him: “Very many thanks for including me in your harvest festival – it was a wonderful experience and I felt privileged to be there.”
That sentiment was echoed in an email to Howard from Richard Nocton of Wilts-based chartered surveyors Woolley & Wallis, who attended as Guild member Clive Marlow’s guest: “I just would like to say thank you for organising the choir and for sponsoring for them to be there. They were truly amazing and I had the hairs on the back of my neck standing on end; their voices were something really special and made the day.
“I had a superb day and enjoyed meeting a good number of your fellow journalists – whether in PR, marketing or freelance, they seemed to make for gregarious company!”
Rebecca Dawson (left) of Ware Anthony Rust also had a great day: “I thoroughly enjoyed my first Guild Harvest Service & Lunch. As a new Guild member it was a fantastic opportunity to put faces to names and network with fellow members and guests.
“The delicious meal and good company made for a great celebration of harvest, while the various readings and speeches provided much food for thought. Congratulations to the organisers on a great event – I look forward to attending again.”
See a report and picture gallery here.
Peter Hill
