A charming lunch was had at The Old Deanery, Ripon on Saturday 13th June 2015, hosted by Linda Whitehouse, Maître Hotelier. The Head Chef Stephen Harper did a wonderful job standing in at the last moment for the resident Head Chef Calvin Porter who was recently rushed to hospital. We all wish him a speedy recovery.

The event was highlighted by Gillian Kendall, Dame de la Chaîne, who is also a Sabreur, who demonstrated her swordsmanship by opening the Champagne with a smooth upward stroke of the blade removing the cork and the neck of the bottle with one deft cut.

The venue is built upon the site of the former monastery of St. Wilfrid, The Old Deanery itself dates as far back as 1625.

The Old Deanery is said to have accommodated Lewis Carroll (Charles Dodgson) during the early 19th century. He wrote part of Through The Looking Glass whilst staying there. His father was a canon of Ripon Cathedral in 1852.