And the winner of the hat competition is…
December 22, 2009 BlogsEvery year Museum of London employees get to attend a staff Christmas lunch for a small amount towards costs at the Guildhall with the Lord Mayor. Since I started working for Museum of London, I have been attended these lunches every year, and this year was even more special as I had many new colleagues who have joined the Museum, with whom I was able to spend some time.
The day started off very excitedly with many people doing last minute finishing touches to their hats that they will bring along to the lunch where the Lord Mayor and the Mayoress would judge them, and the owner of the best hat creation would win a prize. We make our way down to the Guildhall around 12.30pm, hoping to find the best seat, choosing the person we wish to sit next to (or not!) and generally starting the ‘party’.
Some people bring along Christmas crackers and party poopers, and the very brave even bring along squeaking balloons that they compete to try and get the balloons to go as high as possible.
We start of with starters (this year it was artichoke soup), then continue the meal through a main course until desserts (yum!). Finally, we stand up to toast the Queen and the Lord Mayor and the City of London. Inevitably, by the end of the lunch and the many toasts, some people are a little worse for wear and head off home (we’re not allowed to go back to work after drinking alcohol, so most people take the afternoon off).
Throughout the lunch, the Lord Mayor and Mayoress look around and decide on the best made hat. I am proud to say Museum of London has won this competition on and off for many years, but have held on to the title consecutively for the last three. Each year, only one winner stands out, and ladies and gentleman, the prize for the best hat this year went to…
Carol Thompson and Tanya Pollard of Museum of London!
Both did so well that the judges decided to make a first and make them joint winners. Carol especially was thrilled as she had won the hat competition two year ago as well.
Birgitte Sværke Pedersen :
Date: January 14, 2010 @ 6:15 pm
This would definately never happen in Denmark but I would love if it did :-) – wonderful hats and thanks for sharing this part of your museumlife as well
Det personlige museum » Birgitte Sværke Pedersen :
Date: January 22, 2010 @ 8:33 am
[...] eksempel havde Museum of London i december et blogindlæg om deres årlige julefrokost hos borgmesteren. Den inkluderer en konkurrence om, hvem der har lavet den bedste hat – det [...]
Bilkis Mosoddik :
Date: January 22, 2010 @ 11:32 am
Birgitte, you are most welcome. It’s nice to see the other side of the Museum. I am proud to say that it’s an annual event and for that few hours, everyone in the Museum get’s into the spirit of the thing!