40. Visit to Hampton Court Palace, 9 December

11.00 am on a gloriously sunny, but bitter cold , day saw a total of 22 Members and partners congregating outside the main gate of the Palace. We were then led by my Bailiff, Christine Jarvis, who was our guide, into this historic wonderland. A brief history outside and then into Henry VIII’s Kitchens where among other things we learned how bread was cooked and the origin of the term “Upper Crust”. On to the meat kitchen where we found out that the huge joints on display served only 4-6 people! From there we went into the Great Hall with its magnificent hammer beam ceiling with each beam having a small head on it, origin of the phrase “Eaves Dropping”, and walls covered with magnificent tapestries. On then through the apartments to the Royal Chapel and the replica Royal Crown. 

Time for lunch at the “Mute Swan” just across the road from the Palace. An excellent meal was served with a few glasses of wine and a great deal of conversation! After the meal those who wished then returned to the Palace to continue the tour and/or to wander round the BBC Festive Fayre.

My thanks particularly to Christine Jarvis who helped with the arrangements and who made the tour both interesting and amusing.

39. Big Curry Lunch Launch, 7 December

Sandra and I, together with Deputy Master Keith Tozzi and Fiona attended the reception to launch the Lord Mayor’s Big Curry Lunch. The event, to promote the lunch next April, is well attended by the Livery and other supporters. Regrettably the Lord Mayor was not able to attend this year, but he was represented by his two Sheriffs, Tim Hailes and Neil Redcliffe.

It has been the custom that the proceeds from the Lunch go to ABF The Soldiers’ Charity. It was reported that the current years Lunch had raised £188,000, bringing the total raised in the first ten years of the Lunch to £1.7m. This had been achieved through the generosity of the Livery Companies and Ward Clubs and the support of corporate and individual sponsors. The aim next year is to increase this to nearer £200,000.

There is to be a change in the beneficiaries of the proceeds from the lunch that will take place on 11 April next year in that for the first time they will be distributed between all three Services. The Company has always donated a substantial sum, mainly from the collection following the Election Court, and we will continue to do so in 2018. The Lunch itself is an amazing event and is open to all members of the company. Tickets can be obtained from www.soldierscharity.org/events/the-lord-mayors-big-curry-lunch.

38. Walbrook Ward Club’s Annual Banquet

The City of London is divided into 25 wards, each with an ancient form of local government, which avoided the many local government reforms in the 19th and 20th centuries. The ward of Walbrook contains two of the City's most notable landmarks: the Bank of England and Mansion House. Every ward has a club and Sandra and I were invited to the Walbrook Ward Club’s 208th Anniversary Banquet held at the Saddlers’ Hall by Past Master (and Club member) Peter Hall and his wife Georgina on 6 December. 

Presided over by Alderman John Garbutt (Upper Bailiff of the Weavers’ Company) we had a relaxed and very enjoyable evening. John spoke about the foundations of Livery Company precedent and how the Weavers, arguably the earliest, missed out in the reign of Henry VIII when the (modern) precedence was fixed on the basis of the value of ‘loans’ to the Crown. 

A delicious Christmas menu with fine wine and great company made the evening pass too quickly. Music, which included a spectacular rendering of the “Post Horn Gallop”, was provided by The London Banqueting Ensemble.

A thoroughly enjoyable evening for which our thanks go to Peter and Georgina.

37. Mercers’ Company Livery Concert & Supper

Sandra and I were delighted to be invited to Mercers’ Hall for their Concert and Supper. And what a splendid evening it was! Some 70 Livery Companies were represented and it was good to meet and chat with many familiar Masters and their Consorts over a glass of Champagne during the reception before going in to the Concert.

Once seated we were introduced to the two performers – Crispian Steele-Perkins, a virtuoso trumpeter who restores, plays and records on antique instruments of the trumpet family and Leslie Pearson one of the country’s most distinguished piano players. The varied programme of classical and light music was interspersed with the history of and demonstrations on a range of horns and trumpets accompanied by the piano. A fascinating, amusing and thoroughly enjoyable performance.

The supper was held in the magnificent surroundings of both the Court Dining Room and the Large Court Room where 18 separate table were laid-up.  We were at a table hosted by Debbie Ounsted CBE of the Mercer’s Company and it was a pleasure to also be in the company of the Masters of the Firefighters and Glovers together with their Consorts. Excellent food and wines rounded off a highly enjoyable evening.

36. Red Cross Christmas Market, 27 November

Today Sandra and I visited the Red Cross Christmas Market at the Guildhall. This is an annual event which is well supported by a number of Livery Companies who run stalls or generally help with the organisation and administration. In all there are over 100 stalls selling Jewellery, Art, Fashion, Gifts, Books, Homeware, Garden Plants and Tools, Food and Drinks. There are also outdoor food and drinks stalls in the Guildhall Yard. Among other things, Sandra was taken by the very reasonably priced jewellery on the World Traders’ Stall and has added to her collection! The “street food” and Mulled Wine rounded off an interesting hour or so browsing the stalls. All in aid of a very good cause.

35. Edward Alleyn Club Dinner, 24 November

I have been a member of the “Alleyn Old Boys“ club since leaving the school in 1960. With the introduction of young ladies into the school some years ago the title had to be changed to “The Edward Alleyn Club”! The annual dinner is one of several splendid opportunities to meet up with former school friends and their wives. This year the event was not held in the school, but in the prestigious Old Hall in Lincoln’s Inn which was built during the reign of Henry VII in 1490. The hall was the centre of the Inn, where “benchers, barristers and students ate, met and held their moots and revels”!

 

An excellent meal was followed by a humorous speech by Dr Gary Savage, the current school headmaster. Regrettably, unlike our functions where a time limit is set, the speech that followed rambled on for some 30 minutes! Sandra and our friends pictured here made a swift exit by way of the staff area before the next speaker and the “moots and revels”!

34. Actuaries Lecture and Supper, 22 November

After the Lord Mayor’s briefing a number of Masters, including myself, made our way to Staple Inn Hall, the home of the actuarial profession, for the Worshipful Company of Actuaries annual lecture and supper.

Over 50 Livery Company Masters attended and we were seated at round tables in the magnificent hall. How fortunate that our speaker at the Myddelton Lunch this year, Michael Mainelli, the Master World Trader, was seated next to me! We were all thoroughly entertained by a talk from Sir David Spiegelhalter who is Professor for the Understanding of Risk at the University of Cambridge. His speech was entitled “Dodgy data in the news: how to spot it and how to stop it”. Injecting much humour, he showed many examples of how the press mis-use statistics from research. A thoroughly interesting and amusing talk.

The Lecture was followed by an excellent supper in fantastic surroundings with great company.

The photo below, taken after the supper, is of Michael Mainelli,  myself, and Cloe Andrews-Jones, the Master Fueller, who happened to “pop-up”!

33. Lord Mayor’s Address to Master’s and Clerks.

This briefing, held in the Egyptian Room at the Mansion House, is attended by the Masters and Clerks of all the Livery Companies. It is the occasion when the Lord Mayor sets out his plans. In the past this has been largely confined to his year in office. This year, the Lord Mayor, Alderman Charles Bowman, with the backing of his Sheriffs, Tim Hailes and Neil Redcliffe, and also Aldermen Peter Estlin and William Russell, set out a programme for the promotion of the City over a period of 3 years. In a most impressive speech he set out plans to build a City that was Inclusive, Healthy, Skilled and Fair and to work with the Mayor of London and a number of charities to do so. He also plans to extensively promote the City abroad and do everything necessary to protect the Livery movement.

Shortly before this briefing an article appeared in “The Guardian” criticising “lavish” spending by the Corporation of London which included the labour shadow chancellor describing the Corporation as a “rotten borough” which should be abolished! Clearly there are going to be difficult times ahead.

I managed a few brief words with the Lord Mayor, congratulated him on his speech and pledged support where possible.

32. WET Network

Our charity, The Water Conservation Trust, was given an eight minute slot at the ongoing series of WET Network events on 15 November. Chairman Roger North gave an impressive presentation about the work of the trustees in universities and schools, promoting knowledge about water and the environment. The main event topics were innovation by young companies and the obstacles which prevent rapid uptake in the water sector. Some solutions were offered by the keynote speaker, Caroline Wadsworth. Thanks go to Fleet Warden Mark Lane for the opportunity to illustrate our work and the invitations to myself and other trustees. There was an opportunity after the presentations for us to network on behalf of the Company and a number of people expressed an interest in joining. These are being followed–up.

31. Remembrance Day Service

Each year the Company is invited to lay a wreath as part of the Remembrance Day Service at the Merchant Navy War Memorial at Tower Hill. It is organised by the Honourable Company of Master Mariners to commemorate seafarers of both the Merchant and Royal Navies who lost their lives at sea in the two World Wars and other conflicts. This year on a very sunny, cold and windy day, I was privileged to do the honours on behalf of the Company. My consort, Sandra, was in attendance and it was good to see Fleet Warden Mark Lane and his wife Judy there as well. The service was conducted by the Hon. Chaplain of the Master Mariners Company. A very thought provoking service including a very poignant prayer which contained the words – “look mercifully upon the unrest of the world…..Grant understanding to the nations …….that they may be united in a true fellowship…….so that the sacrifices of those who died have not been in vain.” Some 70 wreaths were then laid.

The morning was rounded off with a reception at Trinity House.

30. The Lord Mayor’s Show

Why does it always seem to rain on the day of the Lord Mayor’s Show? Well, at least today it stopped just as the procession started. Walking with the Modern Companies I was accompanied by Walbrook Warden, Rob Casey, and the banner was carried by my son Freeman Andrew Williamson. Surprisingly the wet start did not deter the crowds. Passing the Mansion House we were warmly acknowledged by the new Lord Mayor, Charles Bowman and also by the previous Lord Mayor, Andrew Parmley. The route past St. Paul’s, down Ludgate Hill, up Fleet Street and past the Law Courts was thronged with spectators cheering and waving with children delighting in the sweets that were distributed and giving “high fives” alI the way. The lunch break on HQS Wellington provided an opportunity to chat with other Masters and Wardens of the Modern Livery Companies and thanks to the Master Mariner to refresh our palates with Champagne! The return journey to London Wall seemed to pass very quickly! A fun day and an opportunity to promote the Company’s name with the public.

29. Husting & Reception in support of The Hon. Liz Green

The Livery Companies play a large part in the election process for City Sheriffs, who are elected annually on Midsummer Day . The predominant role of the Sheriffs is to support the Lord Mayor in their official duties undertaken on behalf of the City of London Corporation. The election process for 2018 has started early and three candidates are emerging. The Hon Liz Green made an interesting presentation at Armourers' Hall on 9 November. Here, her campaign manager Roger Southam explains the finer points.

28. Horners Ralph Anderson Lecture

The Royal Society of Medicine was the venue for the 20th Horners lecture delivered by Dr Matthew Burke, Head of Drug delivery at GSK, which focused on the use of polymers in drug and medicine delivery applications. Examples of this are stents, inhalers, sutures, and medicinal capsules. A very interesting and well illustrated presentation which was, in places, extremely thought provoking. In the questions that followed it became evident that polymers used to control the release of medication, having passed through the body and into the sewage system cannot easily be recovered and generally end up in the discharge to our rivers and eco-systems!

The lecture was followed by an excellent buffet supper.

27. Service of Thanksgiving for the Lord Mayor

The third event of the day was the Service of Thanksgiving for the Lord Mayor and his role with the City Livery Companies and Ward Clubs. This was held at the church of St Stephen Walbrook, which is situated just below the Mansion House. The church is unusual in that it has a central round altar which was designed by Henry Moore and made of a single piece of travertine marble. The design concept was for people to gather as a community to worship. The service of thanksgiving included a sermon by the Revd Canon Roger Royle, Chaplain to the Lord Mayor, which was both humorous and thought provoking. The service was followed by wine and canapés and yet another opportunity to socialise! 

26. Lunch at Waterman’s Hall

Following the service at St. Paul’s I, and a number of other Masters and their Clerks, were invited by the Master and Clerk of the Company of Watermen & Lightermen of the River Thames and the Cook and the Butler Event Company to Waterman’s Hall to a Wine and Fork Buffet Luncheon. This provided a splendid opportunity to relax and converse with the many Masters and Clerks assembled and also enjoy the excellent buffet that was provided. Following this a number of us were invited to the City Livery Club to while away an hour or so before our next engagement.

25. St. Paul’s Cathedral, Garden of Remembrance

The service to open the Garden of Remembrance at St. Paul’s Cathedral is held to launch the City of London Poppy Appeal. It is attended by the Lord Mayor, all the Livery Companies and a number of other organisations represented in the City. The morning started with breakfast in the Crypt of St. Paul’s following which the Masters of all the Livery Companies collected their poppies, which were attached to a cross, and then assembled together with the Band of the Scots Guards, the Standards of the Royal British Legion and the choirs of the City of London Schools, in the Garden of Remembrance. As part of the service, which was conducted by the Dean of St. Paul’s, the crosses were planted by representatives of the many organisations in attendance. A very thought provoking and moving experience.

24. Annual Banquet

What a pleasure it was to welcome members and guests to the impressive Cutler’s Hall for our Annual Banquet. In particular it was good to have representatives of Thames Water and Hydraulic Analysis, two of our Corporate Members, with us. Also Commander Nick Foster, commander of HMS Scott, with which the Company has a close affiliation. It was also good to have ladies from the Poplar and Blackwell District Rowing Club, who have been outstanding in winning every race in our Cutter, with us.

I was also pleased to welcome an old friend, Ian Harris, the Chief Executive of the Wine and Spirit Education Trust as the guest speaker. Ian’s speech was both interesting and humorous. We were also well entertained by students from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama with their renditions of songs from stage shows.

Judging from the noise level of conversation and the applause it seems that the evening was enjoyed by all.

23. Livery Dinner at Vintner’s Hall

I was privileged to be invited by the principle guest at our banquet next week to a white tie dinner at the Vintner’s Hall. The principle speaker was the Lord Mayor, and the Lady Mayoress together with the two Sheriffs were also in attendance. The food, and as may be expected, the wine, were excellent! The Lord Mayor’s speech was, as always, most humorous. A very impressive and absolutely splendid evening.

22. Thames Fishery Research Experiment. 21st October 2017

Braving storm Brian we set off for Gravesend to attend the annual Thames Fishery Research Experiment. This was the 45th Experiment which takes the form of an angling competition. The objective is to establish the environmental condition of the Thames by the number and size of fish species caught. The anglers started at 8.00am and continued fishing for 5 hours. Unfortunately this year the event coincided with a very low tide and extremely muddy conditions. This resulted in fewer fish being caught than expected. It was good to see the Lord Mayor and our Michaelmas Lunch guest speaker, Fiona Adler, with their fishing rods! Not sure that they were too successful with the fish! 

Despite the occasional heavy shower and gusts of wind breaking up the glorious sunshine, we walked the length of the river bank and chatted with a number of participants including young ladies from the City of London School and young men from the Gravesend Grammar School. At the conclusion of the fishing we were all provided with an excellent lunch followed by the prize giving. I presented the Company’s prize of an engraved tankard for the most diverse catch. A very enjoyable day that provided an opportunity to speak to a number of eminent people from the City and the local Mayor.     

21. The Magical Taxi Tour

The collection after my Installation Lunch went to the Hackney Carriage Drivers. It was used to sponsor a taxi for their annual visit to Disneyland Paris, a trip for terminally ill children and their carers in more than 100 London Black Cabs.

The send off on 6 October included a 06.00 ‘Big Breakfast’ in Canary Wharf for all those involved: the Hackney Carriage Drivers, the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs, donors and, of course, children and families, and a band. The convoy (three miles long) set off, escorted by English and French police, the AA, and support services and made its way to the Channel Ferry, led by the Master Hackney Carriage Driver and the organiser, Phil Davis, who has made it all happen for 24 years. They returned the following Sunday.

The photo shows the Water Conservators’ taxi, our driver and the family - and Peter Hall, to whom I am most grateful for representing me, just before leaving the East Wintergarden.

20. Company of Musicians Evensong 4th October 2017

The Musicians Company have celebrated evensong in St. Paul’s Cathedral every year since 1907. I was delighted to join the Masters of almost all the Livery Companies at this service. Having donned gowns and regalia in the Crypt, we processed into the main body of the Cathedral followed by members of the Worshipful Company of Musicians. Without doubt, the ambience of sitting under the dome and participating in this service was for me a very moving experience. Sandra accompanied me and sat with the other Mistresses/Consorts for the service.

The reception in the Crypt after the service was another opportunity for us both to mingle and talk with Masters, their Consorts and members of the Musicians Company.

19. Election of the Lord Mayor, 29th September 2017.

The day started at 8am in the Private Members’ Dining Room at the Guildhall with a glass of bubbly and an excellent full breakfast all provided by The Cook and the Butler. My thanks go to Mark Grove for the kind invitation.

Following breakfast it was time to proceed to the Guildhall Crypt to don my Gown and Regalia. I then joined the procession of all 110 Livery Masters across the courtyard, in reverse order of precedence, to the church of St. Lawrence Jewry for the Divine Service prior to the election of the Lord Mayor. The sermon by the Rev’d Canon Roger Royle, Chaplain to the Lord Mayor, included both humour and much that was thought provoking.

Returning across the courtyard we processed into the Guildhall for the election of the Lord Mayor. This is a fairly lengthy ceremony with a great deal of tradition, speeches and processions in and out. Eventually it was announced that Alderman Charles Bowman had been elected as Lord Mayor for the ensuing year.

An interesting morning rounded off with a lunch at Browns with the Thames Warden and our consorts.

18. 24th September 2017. Sheep Drive over London Bridge

Today, together with Sandra, I exercised the right as a Freeman of the City of London, to drive sheep across London Bridge. What a perfect warm and sunny day it was for this event which was organised by the Worshipful Company of Woolmen. A very sociable occasion and good fun, although the sheep didn't seem too enamoured with it!

The stalls and displays at the Wool Fayre situated around the Monument provided an added interest to the day.

17. Worshipful Company of Fuellers, Ezra Lecture, 20th September

Immediately after the performance at the Globe, Sandra and I crossed the river to attend the Fuellers13th Annual Lecture. This year it was given by the Rt. Hon. the Lord Deben, perhaps better known as John Gummer. He was the longest serving Secretary of State for the Environment, from 1993-97, a good part of the time that I was working in the Department's Water Directorate. He is currently Chairman of the Committee on Climate Change and advises the Government on emissions targets and reports on progress made on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The title of the lecture was "Fossil Fuels and the Energy Mix". A very interesting lecture, in which Lord Deben, speaking with only an occasional glance at notes, gave his views on current progress and what more can be done to combat climate change through innovation and smart technologies. He concluded by saying that even if it was proved not to be effective in preventing climate change it was better to reduce emissions and improve our environment than not to do anything.

The drinks and canapes that followed gave an opportunity to discuss the issues raised and socialise with the Masters of a number of other Livery Companies. Our thanks to Janet Harrison, the Master Fueller, for a very interesting evening.

16. 20th September 2017. The Globe Theatre - "Much Ado About Nothing"

The heading is not a comment on the theatre, which is a fantastic venue for Shakespeare's plays!  28 members of the Company and their guests occupied 3 boxes for a matinee performance of the play.

You can always expect a different slant on Shakespeare's plays at the Globe and this production of "Much Ado" was no exception. Set in Mexico during the Revolution in 1910, it is about revolutionaries returning from conflict. And these are both men and women. The latter, in their Edwardian dresses had belts of bullets and guns and swords. There was also, of course, a gender change – the villainous Don John became a female character, Juana! The play is humorous as written but in this production we were treated to a little theatrical licence and in places it became hilarious! The play is also full of songs and dances all in the Mexican tradition. There was never a dull moment.

A glass of bubbly during the interval completed a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon.

15. Battle of Britain Dinner at RAF Northolt, 14 September

Having almost completed the Livery Halls walk and changed into my Dinner Suit on HQS Wellington, I set off for the second time in 6 days to RAF Northolt, this time for their Battle of Britain Dining in Night.

The reception drinks were served outside the Officers’ Mess on a very pleasant sunny evening and gave an opportunity to speak to a number of service personnel as well as the half dozen Livery Company Masters. This was followed by a short flying display by one of the few remaining Spitfires.

As will be seen from the menu, we were not stinted for food! The starter and sweet were, unusually, served in mess tins! There were excellent wines, the glasses were continuously topped-up, and there were copious amounts of Port. The Army Captain, who was in charge of the British Forces Postal Service based at Northolt and sat on my left, was most informative and entertaining and made sure I did not go without!

The guest speaker was most interesting, talking about the WW2 bunker at Uxbridge from which aircraft involved in the Battle of Britain were controlled. I recall a visit there some while ago and would recommend it if the opportunity arises again.

Fortunately I was travelling by public transport and, together with one of the other Masters, had to leave shortly after the dinner and well before the bar closed at 1.30am!

14. Livery Halls Walk, 14th September

Back to HQS Wellington this morning for breakfast before setting out on the annual Livery Halls walk organised by the Environmental Cleaners Company. This was the second time that I had participated in this event, having walked last year with the then Master, Keith Tozzi. I was accompanied this time by Thames Warden, Simon Catford.

After breakfast and the first photo shoot of the day on the deck of HQS Wellington (Hall No.1) some 40 Masters and Wardens set off at 9am for the first part of the walk visiting 10 halls with photographs at each one ending up at Salters’ Hall for Morning Coffee. This was followed by visits and photos at a further 8 Halls and then lunch by the Cook and the Butler at Armourers’ Hall.  A further 10 Halls later, afternoon tea was provided at the Dutch church opposite the Funiture Makers’ Hall. The party then set off for the final 8 Halls, ending up at Fishmongers Hall on London Bridge. A total of 40 Halls and a distance covered of 9 miles!

Unfortunately, because of late running, I had to leave the walk after visiting 38 Halls and return to HQS Wellington to get ready for my next engagement!

13. Michaelmas Court and Lunch, 12 September

HQS Wellington was the venue for this years’ Michaelmas Court and Lunch.

The day started with a Court Meeting at which I was delighted to clothe Stuart Herritty  as a Liveryman and admit Andrew Bennett, Past Master Sue Owen’s Consort, as a Freeman under the recently introduced Consort Admission category.

Fortunately we had a warm and sunny day that allowed us to have the reception drinks prior to lunch on the Quarter Deck. It was a pleasure to welcome members and guests including guest speaker, Fiona Adler and Masters of the Plumbers, Scientific Instrument Makers, Launderers, Environmental Cleaners, Constructors, and Hackney Carriage Drivers.

As usual, The Cook and the Butler served excellent food and wine and there was a very congenial atmosphere throughout. Fiona Adler gave a very entertaining speech, keeping us all attentive from the start when she mentioned that she and I had something in common! After a number of things that it was not, she pronounced that it was a love of acting!  She went on to keep us informed and amused about her time as Sheriff at the same time as Andrew Parmley prior to his election as Lord Mayor.

A splendid day, rounded off with a Stirrup Cup.

12. Modern Companies Dinner, 11 September

The Modern Livery Companies’ Autumn Dinner this year was organised and hosted by The Worshipful Company of World Traders (the 101st Livery Company) at the Wax Chandlers’ Hall. The principal guest was Alderman Charles Bowman, one of the three Aldermen in line for election to Lord Mayor on 29th September. As Master of the Company that will organise and host the next Modern Companies’ Dinner in the Spring of next year, I was privileged to be sitting on the top table between the Master World Trader and the Master Lightmonger. The Dinner was also attended by Simon Catford, the Thames Warden, and by our Clerk, Ralph Riley.

An excellent meal with fine wines was followed by an interesting speech from Alderman Bowman about the Livery and his view of how it might progress in the coming years.

An excellent evening and a challenge to live up to next March!

11. RAF Northolt Annual Reception, 8 September

The Company has had an affiliation for many years with the Aeronautic Information and Documents Unit (AIDU) of the RAF at Northolt. At the invitation of the Station Commander, Group Captain Carver, Sandra and I attended a reception at the Officers’ Mess. We were welcomed by Wing Commander Paul Kendall, Officer Commanding AIDU and members of his team. During the evening we watched a flying display by a Spitfire followed by the Evening Hymn and the Last Post played by the RAF Band. A very enjoyable evening chatting with RAF personnel and several Masters and their Consorts from other Livery Companies. The photograph shows us with Group Captain Carver.

10. Colin Bland’s Funeral 22/08/2017

A very sad day. Sandra and I together with 20 other members of the Company attended the funeral of Honorary Liveryman and Past Master Colin Bland.

Colin was born in 1933, attended Merchant Taylor’s School and what is now the University of London before joining the National Salt Glaze Pipe Manufacturers Association where he continued to work for the rest of his very distinguished professional career. He married Ann in 1957 and they had a son, Bruce, and daughter, Nichola.

Colin’s involvement with CIWEM and the 5 S’s led to his membership of the Company. He became a Court Assistant in 1989, Walbrook Warden in 1995 and Master in 1998. As a Past Master he edited the Conservator for many years, served as Chairman of the Past Masters Committee and Chairman of the Water Conservation Trust until he retired in 2016. In recognition of his service to the Company he was appointed an Honorary Liveryman in January of this year.

Colin and Ann celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary on 27th July this year and sadly Colin died three days later. The funeral service was held at Amersham Crematorium. Tributes were paid by Colin’s son and daughter and I was honoured to read the eulogy written by the Deputy Master Keith Tozzi. The service was followed by a very pleasant reception at the Kings Arms in Amersham.

Our thoughts are with Ann and her family at this very sad time.

9. Russia

Sandra and I have just returned from a fantastic visit to Russia. We flew to St Petersburg and joined a river boat which was our home for the next 10 days. After 2 days of extensive sightseeing there, including numerous churches, historical monuments, museums, palaces and a magnificent performance of the ballet “Swan Lake” at the beautiful Mariinsky Theatre, we set sail for Moscow. We stopped each day at a different location for sightseeing including the wooden village of Mandrogi, where among other museums and craft centres there is a vodka museum housing over 2,500 different bottles of vodka (and the opportunity to taste several !). The following day we stopped at Kizhi Island where there are numerous wooden churches, including one with 22 domes, and many other buildings. On to Goritsy to tour an ancient and majestic monastery established in 1397, then next day to Yaroslavl visit a 12th century white walled monastery and a 17th century church with amazing icons and painted frescoes of biblical scenes.

The next day we visited the Uglich Kremlin within which are an amazing church and cathedral. Finally we reached Moscow where we went on an initial city tour and later a tour of Moscow by night. The latter included a visit and ride on the Metro with its fantastic architectural styling and fascinating design which make the stations more like an “Underground Palace”. No visit to Moscow would be complete without a tour of the Kremlin. The churches, cathedral and other buildings are truly mind boggling. Finally we attended a “National Russian Show” consisting of 2 fantastic hours of music, drama and dance in fabulous costumes and amazing stage sets. After all that it was nice to fly home and relax!

8. Windsor & Eton Brewery Visit – 2 August

Sincere thanks to Noorzaman Rashid, Master Management Consultant, for organising the visit to the Windsor & Eton Brewery. A splendid way to pass a couple of hours learning about the different ingredients, brewing methods and of course tasting a range of beers! This is a small brewery but they produce seven beers that are available all year round, four seasonal beers, twelve monthly specials and up to six “Pilot Brews”. The main ingredients, hops and barley, are sourced from around the world each contributing to the differing flavours in the wide range of bitters, lagers and IPA that they produce. Thanks to Will, one of the four partners who own the brewery, for explaining everything and showing us around.

The brewery visit was followed by a superb four course lunch at “Meat in the Parish” in Windsor High Street which included a huge portion of Chateaubriand and some very fine Malbec ! All-in-all a splendid day out and, in addition to eating and drinking, an opportunity to meet with the Masters of a range of Livery Companies.

7. Presentation of Thames Water to the Lord Mayor. 21 July 2017

The annual presentation to the Lord Mayor of a glass water jug filled with Thames water (from the tap) took place at the Mansion House on the morning of 21 July. This ceremony commemorates the sale of the Thames Conservancy to the Corporation of London by King Richard I in the year 1197.

It was a tremendous pleasure to present the (extra large) jug to the Lord Mayor, Andrew Parmley, who is an Honorary Liveryman of our Company. I was accompanied by the Deputy Master, Keith Tozzi, Thames Warden, Simon Catford, Walbrook Warden, Rob Casey and our Clerk, Ralph Riley. Having presented the jug and toasted each other in Thames Water, the Lord Mayor expressed his delight at receiving the jug and said he was particularly grateful because of his association with the Company.

Although rather early in the morning the glass of Champagne that followed was enjoyed by all!

6. The Lord Mayor’s Defence and Security Lecture. 20 July 2017

This is an annual lecture held in the Egyptian Room of the Mansion House which is chaired by the Lord Mayor. The first lecture was given in 2012 by the then Director General of the Security Service (MI5) and in the following year by the Chief of the Defence Staff. Each year since then a highly ranking speaker, including Theresa May when she was Home Secretary, has addressed a large audience which includes the Masters of many Livery Companies.

This year the lecture was given by Cressida Dick CBE QPM, the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police on the subject of Policing and National Security. This was highly appropriate in the light of the terrorist attacks during this year. The City has its own police force under the command of the Commissioner of the City of London Police and Cressida Dick made it quite clear that she worked closely with that police force and also with the other forces throughout the country. Among other things she made reference to the swiftness of action following the recent attacks and the bravery of officers. She referred to the huge numbers of potential terrorists that are under constant observation and that five planned attacks had recently been thwarted. Much of the latter was due to the very close working relationship between the security and policing services. She also made the point that everyone needs to be vigilant and report any suspicious behaviour.

This was a very interesting and informative lecture. It was followed by a drinks reception where I was able to meet and speak with a number of Livery Company Masters.

5. Imperial Society of Knights Bachelor 20 July 2017

Sandra and I were pleased to accept an invitation from the Imperial Society of Knights Batchelor to their annual Service of Dedication at the Chapel of St. Faith in the Crypt of St. Paul’s Cathedral. A number of Livery Companies were invited and we were honoured to be among them.

After a fanfare by the British State Trumpeters, the Sword, the Spurs and the Pennons, the three ancient symbols of knighthood, are carried in as part of the procession at the commencement of the service. Two anthems were included in the service that were beautifully sung by the small but nonetheless excellent choir. A very nice service during which a newly admitted Knight took his vows.

The service was followed by a reception at Apothecaries’ Hall which gave us a further opportunity to become acquainted with several more Masters and their Consorts.

4. Port of London Challenge 19 July 2017

On a beautiful warm evening Sandra and I boarded a river boat just downstream of HQS Wellington, which acted as the control boat for the Port of London Challenge. Our cutter, The Water Forget-me-not, crewed by six ladies was taking part in the race which started at HQS Wellington and finished up-stream at Chelsea Bridge, a distance of some 3 miles. Although the tide was with them, the water was quite choppy from the many river cruisers which made rowing quite difficult. The ladies and mixed teams started first and were almost out of sight when the men’s teams set off. The control boat powered its way upstream to catch the ladies cutters which we just about did before the first one crossed the finish line! And which cutter got there first? The Water Forget-me-not of course! Almost a foregone conclusion as our team has won repeatedly for several years.

Unfortunately our bargemaster, Johnny Dwan, was unable to cox the boat as he was busy Swan Upping way up river, but congratulations and thanks are due once more to him for the training and work he puts into these events on the river. Many congratulations also to the team of ladies for their super effort in a time that was only fractionally less than the winning men’s team.