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.