Friday 24 August 2018

90. Installation Court and Farewell– 9 July


My final task as Master was to chair the Installation Court Meeting held this year at the Stationers’ Hall. It was a great pleasure to admit Graham Howells and Guy Titman as Court Assistants and also to get approval for Nigel Cartwright to continue on the Court for a further year. The Court also approved the installation of our Chaplain, the Rev. Rose Hudson-Wilkin, as an Honorary Freeman of the Company.

The Court meeting having been adjourned, under the direction of our Beadle and our Clerk the ceremony of Installation took place were I handed over the reins to the new Master, Simon Catford.

I have had a fantastic year representing the Company to the best of my ability at many functions. It was a pleasure to work with the Officers and Wardens and hopefully at least maintain the Company in good stead. My grateful thanks go to Ralph Riley, the Deputy Master, Past Masters and all the Officers, Wardens and Members of the Company for their support and encouragement during the year. My thanks also go to Sandra and my immediate family for their support and for putting up with my absences attending the many functions.

I shall of course continue working to the best of my ability for the Company as required as Deputy Master. Thankfully I do not have to write any more Blogs which, like these last ones, have mostly been written somewhat behind time! Thank you David Richards for your speed in getting them on the website.

89. Official Opening of TS Scott’s New Mooring – 7 July


My final formal engagement as Master was to attend the official opening of the Maidstone Sea Cadets’ (Training Ship Scott) new moorings. The Water Conservation Trust has had an affiliation with TS Scott for many years and pay for a berth each year for a cadet on a sail training ship. The 
Trust has also contributed a substantial sum to the cost of the new mooring. On a beautiful warm afternoon, accompanied by Trevor Harrington and Roger North together with our consorts we assembled at the cadets HQ where we were briefed and then moved to the Amphitheatre were the moorings are situated. The official cutting of the ribbon was carried out by the Mayor of Maidstone, Cllr Greer. Following an inspection of the mooring we were treated to afternoon tea and an opportunity to speak to the Officer Commanding and other guests.  A splendid occasion to round off my year as Master.

88. Worshipful Company of Paviors Court Dinner – 5 July

I had previously attended the Paviors’ Court Dinner in the evening immediately after my installation as Master last year. This year our Installation Lunch was held slightly later in July and I had the privilege of being invited to the Paviors’ Court Dinner again! Held in the impressive Cutlers’ Hall this was a delightful evening spent in excellent company. The Master, Wardens and Court Assistants were most welcoming and I sat at the end of the top table among extremely interesting companions.

The four course meal was delicious and the accompanying wines truly superb. An interesting speech by Nigel Jackson and the Stirrup Cup rounded of a very enjoyable evening.

87. City of London Freeman’s School Prize-giving – 29 June

The Company, along with many other Livery Companies, has for many years sponsored a prize for Environmental Conservation at the City of London Freemen’s School which is located in Ashtead, Surrey. The Master is invited to attend the school for the full day’s events. Sandra and I arrived for the Senior School music Concert in the morning which was held in the newly constructed Recital Hall. The programme was entitled “Royal Wedding Revisited” and included music performed by pupils and one or two ex-pupils that was included in the recent wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. I have to say that the standard of the performances was absolutely amazing.

We were then treated to Lunch, followed by the Senior School Prize Giving. This was attended by Sheriff Tim Hailes, standing in for the Lord Mayor. Prior to the actual ceremony we were entertained by some of the School’s music scholars. There were well over a hundred prizes given in Academic, Service to the School and Sport categories for the Upper School and Sixth Form. The Company’s prize for Conservation was given to a young lady in the Sixth Form who we had the pleasure to meet in the following reception.

There were numerous events taking place over the whole day which we took advantage of viewing. A very memorable occasion.