AT the last meeting, Ray Saunders-Cook spoke about ancient ceremonies at the Tower of London.

After a shaky start with a faulty projector which, after showing a close-up of a raven, promptly died, Mr Cook gave a fascinating talk about his service at the Tower and the origins of some of the customs which are re-enacted to this day.

The Yeoman Warders are the sovereign's bodyguard. They are nicknamed "Beefeaters" probably because in Tudor times, when food was scarce, these men fed on the fat of the land.

The Tower is entered by the Bywater Tower. Then comes the Wardens' Hall, the oldest manned guardroom in the world - manned since1100.

Building was begun by William I in 1087 with the White Tower, taking 120 years to complete.

The installation of the Constable is a private ceremony. He is given the keys to the 500-year-old locks. The top man is the resident Governor who is responsible for security.

Another ceremony, which happens every five years, is Beating the Bounds. Originally local school children were lined up and whacked but now, boundary stones are beaten.

To become a Yeoman Warder a man must have served at least 22 years in the Armed Forces and be married.

He then has to fill in an application and if selected has to pass tests. Then he is sworn in at a private ceremony where he swears an oath of allegiance to the Queen.

A toast is drunk "May you never die a Yeoman Warder". This is because, in the past, the office carried perks and could be sold on for profit. Then the new warder has to learn to make guided tours of the Tower, finally passing this test by successfully guiding the Governor.

The most well-known ceremony is the nightly Ceremony of the Keys. The Chief Warder comes from the Bywater Tower to the Bloody Tower then, with a lantern escort, he goes to the front gates which he closes and locks. The escort presents arms. Then he goes back, locking three gates until he meets an armed sentry at the Bloody Tower. When the men approach, the sentry shouts: "Halt! Who goes there?" "The Keys", "Whose keys?" "The Queen's keys", "Pass Queen Elizabeth's keys. All's well."

The Chief Warder removes his Tudor bonnet and shouts "God preserve Queen Elizabeth!" and takes the lantern to the Queen's House where a bugle sounds the last post.

The Crown Jewels, which are lodged in the Tower, must always be on display as they belong to us, the British people.

The Queen is not allowed to remove them without permission from the House of Commons as put down in the Magna Carta.

The ravens have always been there, originally as town scavengers. They took refuge in the Tower during the Great Fire of London in 1666. Charles II was petitioned to remove them but he refused. There is a legend that if the ravens are removed, the White Tower will fall. Six ravens must stay forever. There is a raven master who attends to their every need.

Mr Cook concluded his talk by showing his scarlet coat and Tudor bonnet. This is the dress uniform. There is a less formal working uniform in blue.