History > Ward Club History
"Mr W Webster CC presided (in the unavoidable absence of Mr Alderman Hale, President of the Club); Five other Common Councilmen were present. The Chairman proposed "Success to the Club, may it flourish forever," which was drunk with all honours. The "Health of the Chairman" was proposed by Dr Elliott, and was responded to in a very feeling manner. Mr C M Roche gave "The Common Councilmen of the Ward" coupling therewith the name of Mr Jesse Hobson, who very gracefully replied, at the same time giving the health of Dr Elliott. The Chairman gave the "Health of the Secretary, Mr Clark," in very complementary terms, highly eulogising him for the zeal he had displayed in the formation of the club. Mr W H Roberts gave "The Constituencies of the Ward," for whom Mr Wilcox returned thanks, and the company shortly afterwards separated. Mr RC Lidington placed an excellent dinner on the table, which together with the wines, gave great satisfaction." (City Press 12 April 1862) The aim of the Ward Club was to promote friendly intercourse among the residents of the Ward. Since residents were already beginning to move away from the city the qualification for membership was that each candidate should be on the Ward list of municipal voters or on the Parliamentary list for the City. This still remains the Ward Club's first requirement for membership though further criteria are now accepted. 
The Ward club adopted the cockerel from the church of St Stephen, Coleman Street as its emblem and this still features on the Club tie and cockerel brooch available to members. Following the destruction of St Stephen, St Margaret Lothbury became the Ward Club church and remains so to the present day.
The Ward Club currently has some 200 members among whom is Dame Mary Donaldson GBE a past Alderman and President of the club who in 1983 became the only lady Lord Mayor of the City of London to date. Events are organised each year by the Club's Hon. Secretary in close association with the Chairman.
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Coleman Street Ward Club held its inauguration dinner at the Old King's Tavern, Old Jewry on Tuesday 8 April 1862.
The Club has three pieces of regalia. The Chairman's Badge, the Past Chairman's Badge and a silver snuffbox presented to the Ward Club in 1866 by its first Hon Secretary Mr William Clark CC.