A Short History of the Ward of Cheap Club

The Ward is situated in the centre of the Square Mile, and the Ward Club is of course, inextricably linked with it.

The Ward system founded by King Alfred the Great in about 845 AD has always been the basic unit of Government and although at first it was both military and civil, it later concerned itself with more local matters such as drainage and lighting. The name Cheap or Chepe means Market, and as with most wards, the City was where a successful merchant would wish to ply his trade.

It was at the Guildhall Coffee house in 1863 that a decision was taken to form a Ward Club. Known as the Ward of Cheap Club, it was to promote neighbourly and social intercourse. The Ward Club today holds various events throughout the year. The Rules order that lunches, dinners and other social events be held as may seem desirable.

The important events are the Installation Lunch following the AGM, the Ladies Lunch - now the Civic Lunch in honour of the Lord Mayor, a Carol Service in the Guild Church of St Lawrence Jewry, a Members' Lunch and other social events in or around the Ward or the City as arranged by the incumbent President. The Minutes of 1869 mention the formation of the Club, which celebrated its establishment as 1863.

At first, only those gentlemen who actually had business or resided in the Ward were able to join, but in recent years the doors have been opened to anyone who professes a legitimate interest in the Ward. The Club has thus grown from strength to strength.

The Ward boundaries remained unchanged for many centuries, but have now been altered to accommodate a more appropriate redistribution of office workers and residents.

A list of the Aldermen of the Ward, who traditionally are the Patrons of the Ward of Cheap dates back to about 1220.

The Minute Books of the Ward Club are all preserved in the archives department in Guildhall and can be seen on application to the Archivist.