Having been disrupted by rail strikes, held in abeyance for national mourning, and rescheduled from its original September date, the weather gods smiled on a group of World Traders as we wandered around Wapping and St Katherine Docks on a balmy October evening.

As the sun set, it became ever more atmospheric. Guide John Steel regaled us with stories of poverty, press gangs, piracy, pilferage, pools, prostitutes, pelts, police and printers, with some celebrities and wealth thrown in! Oh, and then there were the stories of tigers running loose in Wapping – twice! The area is rich in world trade and World Traders’ history, much of the redevelopment of the Docks having been under the leadership of Past Master Peter Drew.

The evening drew to a convivial close with supper at Cote Brasserie St Katherine Docks, where members old and new or yet to be enjoyed a complimentary DIY Kir Royale followed by a two-course meal.

Having lived in Wapping while working in London 2012, Master Mary Hardy wanted to share her old ‘hood’ with fellow World Traders. Together with the Limehouse/Canary Wharf walk in June, and visit to Wilton’s in July, this Wapping/St Katherine Docks walk was the last piece of the puzzle.

Master did a fair job of exposing us to an area central to world trade and a part of London few of us ever explore. Well done, Master!