Wednesday March 4th 2015 was the occasion of the latest Verrall Supper, an annual event hosted by the Entomological Club, the oldest extant entomological society in the world. I am, for my sins, the Supper Member, which means that I have to organise the event, for a more detailed description of my role click here. This year we continued our association with The Rembrandt Hotel as they had done such a good job last year and the year before. This year almost all the invitations were sent by email and despite the 14% increase in suggested subscription to £48, we had a very good response; as I pointed out to one of the students, show me somewhere else in central London where you can get a three course dinner with coffee and half a bottle of wine, plus the company of so many entomologists!
In the end we had 181 guests, 55 of whom were female, last year we only had 46 female members so we are definitely moving in the right direction, although I am still keen to get equal numbers. My impression was that the average age of the membership is definitely decreasing which can only be a good thing. Enough writing I think, let the photographs speak for themselves.
Jim Hardie with Clive Farrell of the Entomological Club – once again my thanks to Clive for helping man the Reception Desk
A mixed bag of entomologists enjoying good conversation whilst waiting for the main course
All ex- or present students of mine, Katy Reed, Lauren Fuller, Jen Banfield-Zanin, Mark Ramsden, Aislinn Pearson
Andrew Salisbury, RHS Wisley, holds forth
Ashleigh Whiffin and Craig Perl recreate last year’s photo
Can you spot the Coleopterist?
Entomologists with beer
Garth Foster making a point
Gemma Hough and James Hourston
Did you know that Hagrid was an entomologist? Actually Richard Comont
Can you spot Helen Roy, the newest member of the Entomological Club?
Three ex-MSc students – Jade Taylor, Linda Birkin and Laurence Livermore and Hillery Warner.
Mainly current Harper Adams MSc students – Josh Jenkins Shaw, Chris Mackin, Andy Cutts, Aidan Thomas, Richard Prew, Kelleigh Greene, Jordan Ryder (now a PhD student) Dave Stanford-Beale
Marion Gratwick has attended more Verrall Suppers than any other female member.
Mark Ramsden, Adrian De Palma, Jen Banfield-Zanin, Gemma Hough
More young entomologists, Ailsa McLean, Paul Manning, Chris Jeffs and James Hourston
John Badmin centre stage
Some older entomologists
Linda Birkin, Laurence Livermore, Hillery Warner, Aurora Sampson
Some hymenopterists, including Mark Shaw and Charles Godfray
Some Royal Entomological Society worthies including Gordon Port, Jim Hardie and Archie Murchie
On the top table, Stephen Clement who travelled all the way from the USA, speaking to Gill van Emden
The top table, Gill van Emden, Stephen Clement, Van, Clive Farrell, Chris Lyal, another overseas visitor Junhao Huang, my jacket, Camille Parmesan, Richard Harrington and Tilly Collins out of shot.
Has Richard Harrington made Tilly Collins cry? Are his jokes really that bad?
The Verrall lecturer, Sue Hartley in deep conversation with Hugh Loxdale and Peter Leckstein. Unfortunately she couldn’t stay for the Supper.
Not all entomologists are male and bearded, Ruth Carter, Kirsten Miller, Fran Sconce, Will Nash, Nathan Medd , Hannah Wickenden, Jasper Hubert
More young entomologists Joe Nunez, Ricahrd Comont, Amo Spooner, Katy Dainton, Molly Carter, Sally-Ann Spence
Some of the older entomologists
and finally
The Supper Organiser looking a little bit stressed!
I look forward to seeing all of you next year on Wednesday 2nd March.
Don't Forget the Roundabouts 
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