For the last 5+ years a group of knitters has met for tea on a thursday night in the Art Bar Cafe at Liberty's. These have been some of the most sociable nights of my life and probably some of the most expensive due to all the "enabling" that goes on - my internet shopping skills have expanded at an alarming rate!
Next week sees the last week of the contract with the current catering company and as yet the staff team don't know who will stay with the new caterers, who will be moving on to other venues. We hope the new company will make us welcome after the refit but before then we must say a proper goodbye to Christian, Claudio, Jacek, Agnes and the others and thank them for their hospitality.
There have been quiet and sedate nights; rowdy nights; nights of triumph when we have modelled our new creations; visits from Secret Santa; nights of 45 people table hopping; nights when the staff have asked with great concern for the health of those they haven't seen for a few weeks; nights where we have had visits from the angora man, fom Lily Chin and Habu; not forgetting the visits from Kay and Anne (Rowanettes before Mason Dixon), Thomas with the shawl and yellow tulips; nights when they have gone to extra lengths to supply food and drink for this picky customer - nights where a stressed and tired soul has left feeling at peace with the world!
I want to mark the work of this remarkable team and show them how much their service has mattered - anyone wishing to contribute a comment to a "Thank you" card please email it to me ( ydavies AT midc DOT co DOT uk ) marked ART BAR CAFE and I'll ensure it gets passed on.
Posted by Yvonne at May 9, 2007 08:10 AMOops, that should be "Diana" posting, not "Divinity". Forgot which blog I was writing to for a moment there!
Posted by: Diana at July 7, 2007 08:33 PMMy fondest memories from my year in London were evenings with the ladies at Liberty's and the Arts Bar Cafe. I loved the sense of welcome and familiarity with the staff and I still hanker for that Bing Cherry duck confit...
Posted by: Divinity at July 7, 2007 08:32 PMHi Yvonne,
sorry this is so late, but one of the highlight of every trip to the UK has been the Liberty's Thursday night meeting, thanks to all you wonderful Rowanettes and the Arts Bar cafe people. Hope you will still be able to meet after the refit.
Posted by: Chrissie at June 14, 2007 04:13 PMoh Yvonne! I do hope they will continue to accommodate you guys. its one of the things I look forward to do when in London!
I really enjoyed meeting you all and hope to be able to do the same in Liberty next time I am in London.
Well I remember the first ever night, creeping into the ABC apprehensively after work, to find Nancy and then Polly - we all pulled out our knitting, and after that we never looked back. Thanks so much Yvonne for your gracious organising when it took on a life of its own. So many happy memories. Have an Earl Grey tea and Butter Shortbread for me on the last night!
Posted by: Sam at May 13, 2007 10:34 PMI have been lucky enough to make it to Libertys on my last 2 trips to London, the service and the company were both excellent, thank you.
Posted by: yvette at May 11, 2007 07:12 AMIt was one of the most impressive experience of my last London trip when I joined you at Liberty's. I'm talking about it here in Germany to anyone who asked me how it was in London. I wish you that the new management will welcome you all!
Posted by: Susan at May 10, 2007 09:36 AMI hope it carries on, I've had many great evenings there. I would love to make it up for the next week, but I'll be with you all in spirit.
Posted by: Mary at May 9, 2007 05:03 PMJust wanted to check you were going to be at Libertys next week 17th May as Jill wasn't sure
Posted by: Nic at May 9, 2007 02:27 PMI had a wonderful time last July when I joined you all (well, there were only about five of us that time!) at Liberty's! I hope it'll be able to carry on after this change.
Posted by: Daisy at May 9, 2007 10:19 AM