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A flash of Mark Steel makes St George’s Day Lunch one to remember for Chamber of Commerce

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Frances Pardell

Published: 2:08 PM April 30, 2019

Updated: 3:07 PM November 1, 2020

St Albans and District Chamber of Commerce St George's Day lunch 2019 - sponsors Debenhams Ottaway. - Credit: Archant

Comedian Mark Steel is special guest at St Albans Chamber of Commerce St George’s Day Lunch.

St Albans and District Chamber of Commerce St George's Day lunch 2019 - picture by Spike Brown of Blue Feather Photography - Credit: Archant

Award-winning comedian and writer Mark Steel brought a taste of his enormously popular Radio 4 show to St Albans when he entertained over 350 business leaders from the local community at the annual Chamber of Commerce’s St George’s Day lunch.

The lunch, which is the most popular event in the Chamber’s busy calendar, was hosted at Sopwell House Hotel by Chamber President Alastair Woodgate and backed by a range of prominent local businesses including headline sponsors Debenhams Ottaway.

Guests enjoyed a three course lunch before singing rousing renditions of Land of Hope and Glory and Jerusalem while waving the flag of St George.

Funnyman Mark Steel, who joined in the singing, took to the stage after lunch to present a talk based on the themes of his radio show Mark Steel’s In Town.

St Albans and District Chamber of Commerce St George's Day lunch 2019 - picture by Spike Brown of Blue Feather Photography - Credit: Archant

He had clearly done his homework on the history and quirks of the city and covered a whole range of topics, joshing a few of the sponsors and particularly MP Anne Main.

This year three local charities benefitted from the proceeds of the annual auction, including The OLLIE Foundation, The Counselling Foundation and Herts Domestic Abuse Helpline and the auction raised thousands of pounds thanks to the generosity of the lunch attendees.

Chamber President Alastair said: “Once again the St George’s Day Lunch was a highlight of the Chamber year with the businesses of the district showing their magnificent support for three local charities, all of whom are doing vital work in our area. I’m grateful to all our sponsors for their support, without which this event just wouldn’t happen.”

Susan Glenholme, managing partner of Debenhams Ottaway solicitors, added: “We were delighted to be headline sponsors of the St Albans Chamber of Commerce St George’s Day Lunch. As always, it was a fantastic, well organised and entertaining event attended by so many of the local business community and it was a pleasure to headline sponsor one of the biggest Chamber events in the year, and to be part of such a great Chamber.”