It seems like only yesterday that I hosted a ‘young ones’ lunch when I was a broker. To attend, you had to be under 25 years of age and trading actively in the market. So naturally, I have been a little bit disappointed by the overtures that members of the Ancient Marketeers club have made to me over the past couple of weeks. There are several criteria that need to be met to qualify for entry to this splendid club, including 20 years of service in the market and a minimum age of 50.
I pointed out that I did not qualify, but have been told that special dispensation can be made. “Listen, I’m not old enough,” I explained patiently to one of my older muckers, and I’m really not. Anyway, the club held a lunch in London last week, which I hear was excellent. Over 160 old boys showed up and their meal was followed by some obituaries and news of those whose health is not holding up so well. I hear that one old mate, Simon Welham, who was one of my superiors at Midland, had signed up to go but pulled out at the last moment.