Party to suit tailor's 40 years

Celebrations for the 40th anniversary of St Albans' Royal tailor Geoffrey Golding were a cut above the rest.

More than 250 guests and clients toasted his success at Sopwell House Hotel, St Albans, last Thursday, May 22.

Among the guests were star of stage, screen and radio Nicholas Parsons, Monty Moss of the Moss Bros organisation, St Albans mayor Jennifer Stroud and MP Kerry Pollard.

Mr Golding, 59, has been in the same store in Hatfield Road since he was 19.

He produces more than 2,000 suits and uniforms a year, including Army, Navy and Air Force officers uniforms, and the ornate livery for the Queen's household staff. Becuase of his services to the Royal family, he was awarded the Royal warrant in 2001.

He also hit the headlines last year when he made the futuristic Regency suit that Jesper Irn wore for his wedding to Steps star Faye Tozer.

Of last week's celebrations he said: "It was a tremendous occasion and the support from customers, some of whom have been with me since the Sixties, was overwhelming."

"I'm contemplating a 50th anniversary in due course, but I hope to have eased off a little before then."

Courtesy of the St Albans Observer (May 2003)