Marilyn Stowe Blog

A summer party at St Paul's

Earlier this week I had a slightly surreal experience. I found myself in the Crypt of St Paul’s Cathedral, standing between the magnificent marble tombs of the Duke of Wellington and Lord Nelson. I also spotted the tomb of Sir Christopher Wren, the architect of the “new” St Paul’s after the “old” St Paul’s was destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666.

This is arguably the most famous and iconic building in London. It stands on Ludgate Hill and is visible for miles from every direction. In order to enter the Crypt, I had to walk up the magnificent white steps and down the main aisle. I remember watching the young Lady Diana Spencer doing exactly the same, in 1981 when she married the Prince of Wales. How did she cope?

I turned right and went down the marble stairs into the crypt, followed the noise and eventually passed the tombs of the great men (and their banners) to join the Summer Party hosted by the Barristers’ Chambers of 1 Kings Bench Walk. Hosted in this striking venue and with excellent food and company, this must count as one of the legal parties of the season. As there was a long drive back up to Yorkshire I could only stay for a couple of hours, but there were many family lawyers there and it was good to see them. Many thanks to my hosts for a wonderful event.

Image credit: edvardo.