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.

3. Engineers Awards and Dinner 18 July 2017-07-22

I was delighted to be invited as a guest at the Annual Awards Ceremony and Livery Dinner of the Worshipful Company of Engineers which was held at the Royal College of Physicians in the presence of Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal.

An impressive number of awards were made to five early career engineers, four sixth form potential engineering scholars in London schools and five bursaries for students or apprentices who have faced challenges or personal obstacles. These were followed by eight awards to engineers in the Armed Services. A further eight awards, including one for Water Engineering, went to graduate/post graduate students, engineers who have made a substantial contribution through their work and a company that developed and produce an inexpensive credit card sized microcomputer. These awards ranging up to £50,000 were given by the Engineers Trust.

The awards were followed by reception drinks and canapés in the College grounds on a beautifully warm evening. Over 200 people then sat down to a splendid dinner with excellent wines. Dinner was followed by the Loving Cup Ceremony. The toast to the Guests was proposed by the Master Engineer, Richard Groome, who managed to mention the many Livery and other guests in his speech. The response was by HRH the Princess Royal who proposed the toast to the Company. The Stirrup Cup provided a splendid opportunity to chat with other Masters and the Award Winners.

All-in-all and excellent evening and my thanks to the Master Engineer for the invitation.

2. Paviors Court Dinner 6 July 2017

My first day as Master was “full on” as following the Installation Lunch I attended a Court Dinner as a guest of the Worshipful Company of Paviors. This was a “Black Tie” event held at Cutlers’ Hall. The present Paviors’ Company received its grant of Livery in 1900, although records of the Paviors stretch back to 1280 when they were first made responsible for the repair and cleaning of London streets and pavements.

An excellent dinner with a magnificent selection of wines was followed with an interesting and informative speech by Nick Baveystock, formerly a Brigadier in command of the Royal School of Military Engineering and the current Director General of the Institute of Civil Engineers.

My thanks to the Master Pavior, Miles Ashley, for his invitation.

1. Installation Ceremony and Lunch - 6 July 2017

What a memorable occasion on one of the hottest days of the year! The formal Installation Ceremony, ably led by our Clerk, Ralph Riley and Beadle, Tony Parker, took place in the presence of a group of Past Masters, members of the Company and friends. It was a pleasure to have Rob Casey installed as the new Walbrook Warden. This was followed by the usual drinks reception. I, together with the Wardens and our honoured guests then processed into the dining room for lunch. All this took place in the magnificent surroundings of the Drapers Hall.

After an excellent meal I was honoured to have Lord Strathclyde, who was for a time my Minister in the Department of the Environment and who I accompanied on the Department’s first Water Industry specific trade mission to South Africa and Lesotho, as my guest speaker. His speech was highly complimentary, informative, enlightening and humorous. I was also delighted to welcome Martin Reed, Master of the Master Mariners, as a guest. Following the speeches we adjourned for a “Stirrup Cup”.

The collection was for the Hackney Carriage Drivers “Magical Taxi Tour” which takes chronically sick and terminally ill children to the Disney Resort in Paris. A magnificent sum of £900 was collected.