The Guild is to host a Harrison H4 event in the State Room at No 11 Downing Street, London, on Thursday 28 November.
Planning has been taking place for some time and the original date was due to be 3 July – until the General Election was called for the day after! Despite a change in Government, the initial arrangement was made with the previous Chancellor, we have now been given the go ahead.
The evening ‘Celebrating John Harrison and the Quest for Longitude at Sea’ will start at 6.30pm for 7pm with a welcome by Guild Director Paul Roberson, who maintains the clocks at both Number 10 and Number 11 Downing Street.
Harrison experts Jonathan Betts and Andrew King will both give talks on his pioneering work. Drinks and canapes will then be served with guests having the chance to view two showcases, which are on loan from the Royal Observatory Greenwich, displaying important pieces that shaped the modern world of timekeeping and navigation, including H4 – Harrison’s fourth marine timekeeper.
All members of the Guild will have the chance to attend and places will be
allocated on a first come, first served basis. The State Room can hold up to 80 guests.
Invitations will be emailed out to members on 1 September. Please respond immediately if you wish to attend as we expect the event to fill up quickly.