27 tcf.org.uk Terry Ahern The Gauntlet Trust originally agreed to award a grant of £3,000 per year for three years to TCF for our support of parents bereaved by suicide. This was extended to four years and was increased to £4,000 for the last two years due to the cost-of-living crisis. In addition, we were able to use Armourers’ Hall as a venue for the past 2 years for a support day for bereaved fathers. Terry describes in his own words his evening: “It was a daunting prospect and I did feel nervous beforehand. I’d never given a speech about losing James and volunteering outside of TCF events. I knew the supper would be formal and it certainly was; set in the magnificent Livery Hall with the ceremony of a City Livery Company. There were 97 people present, the largest number ever for a supper. The dress code was business wear so men in suits and women dressed elegantly. On my arrival, I was welcomed warmly by Anne-Marie, CEO of the Gauntlet Trust. The drinks reception was held in the Drawing Room where our banner was displayed along with others from the various charities supported by the Trust. I was quite overwhelmed by how friendly people were and how interested they were in TCF. I met the Beadle for the second time, the first being at last year’s inaugural dad’s day one day retreat. A very nice chap, his name is Terry so what else would you expect?! He and Anne-Marie took me through to the Livery Hall to do a sound check at the lectern. They also showed me where I’d be sitting - on the top table next to The Master! We returned to the drinks reception where I was introduced to Master, who was in fact a lady. At the supper itself there were short talks by officers of the Company including The Master and Upper Warden who along with the Beadle were the Masters of Ceremony. Four charities presented between courses all represented by Freemen of the Worshipful Company. We were all given a voting slip with a fictional £50 to allocate between these charities. They were all very worthy. At the end of the meal when coffee was served, I was introduced by the Upper Warden. I was allowed to speak for twice as long as the other charity representatives, they had three and a half minutes, I had seven. I was conscious that to listen about child bereavement towards the end of a pleasant evening might not be to everyone’s liking but my talk was well-received. Three lovely rounds of applause followed with kind words from The Supper at the Gauntlet Trust In September, TCF volunteer and bereaved father Terry Ahern attended a supper at the Gauntlet Trust of the Worshipful Company of Armourers & Brasiers. TCF was invited not only to be a guest, but also to speak at the event and Terry kindly agreed to do just that. TCF NEWS | FEATURE: SUPPER AT THE GAUNTLET TRUST
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