In May some of China’s top interior designers toured the Hall and sat down to Sunday lunch in the Court Room.
The party were visiting this country to study and experience the ‘English style’. Other stops on their 5-day visit took in London’s major historical venues and included an over-night stay at a castle.
Before lunch the Beadle, with the aid of a very skilled English-Mardarin interpreter, took them on a tour of the Hall and its treasures and they were particularly interested that we had two antique Chinese bronze statues on permanent display in the entrance hall.
After lunch they were given an explanation and demonstration of the Loving Cup Ceremony, again with Mandarin commentary, and great enjoyment was had by all joining in with this most ancient of customs.