Golden Keys Society lights up the London Eye

The Society of Golden Keys of Great Britain and the Commonwealth celebrated its 65th anniversary this week by lighting up the London Eye in gold.

On 25 April golden sparkles illuminated the observation wheel every hour from 8-11pm for a minute to mark the occasion. A London bus with the society logo is also traversing the city for the next six weeks to create awareness of the role of a Les Clefs d'Or concierge in hotels, with a competition for people to post pictures on social media of the Eye and the bus.

The celebrations culminated in a cocktail party last night at the Waldorf Hilton hotel in Aldwych for top concierge members, and the presentation of a cheque for £9,000 to Hospitality Action on behalf of the society.

The society was created on 25 April 1952 to develop friendship among concierges and help them develop contacts. Members are part of an international body called Les Clefs d'Or (the Society of Golden Keys) with more than 4,500 hotel concierges worldwide recognisable by the cross keys on their lapels.

This year will also see the 12th Morris Visitor Golden Keys Concierge Awards taking place in October, which recognises the UK's top hotel concierges.

Antony Lynch, president of the Society of Golden Keys, said: "We are delighted to be celebrating the 65th year of the Golden Keys Society in Great Britain. We hope that the birthday celebrations will give concierges all over Britain the chance to recognise the huge contribution they make to tourism and to society as a whole."

Simon Thomas of the Lanesborough to head Les Clefs d'Or >>

Concierge of the Year named >>

Minute on the clock: William Thomson >>

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