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.

86. Firefighters’ Reception 20 June

I was delighted to be invited to the Firefighters’ Annual Reception at the City Livery Club. It is a splendid opportunity to meet with the Master, Wardens and Clerk of the Company as well as several other Masters and Clerks from other Companies. I have known the current Master Firefighter, John Mansfield, for virtually all of my term of office as his year and mine almost coincide and we have met at many functions. The reception was a very convivial event with excellent company and, of course, plentiful food and delightful wine.    

85. Lord Mayor’s Tax Debates, 19 June

As part of the tax profession's contribution to the Lord Mayor's Business of Trust agenda, the Worshipful Company of Tax Advisers and the Chartered Institute of Taxation co-hosted an event at the Mansion House with a very full audience of some 300 from the Livery and the City. The Lord Mayor introduced the programme and the first debate was a UK perspective on whether the public trust in the UK tax system has been impaired by unprecedented levels of tax avoidance. The second debate was an international perspective on the tremendous efforts that Governments and international institutions have put into changing the tax “landscape” in which multinational enterprises operate.

Both debates were extremely interesting. There was a general theme that there was a need to engage with corporations and the public more. On tax avoidance more legislation in the Corporate area was thought to be required and Corporation tax needed to be more robust. It was also considered that Tax Advisors should not be pushing schemes which were against the public benefit. It was considered that some sectors still think tax avoidance is something to be achieved!  Principles of taxation therefore need to be embedded in their culture. 

The debate continued after over drinks and canapés! 

84. Master’s Weekend 15/17 June

A small group of seven met at the De Vere Hotel in East Horsley on the Friday night and had a splendid convivial dinner at the local Duke of Wellington Public House. The following morning, joined by two more guests, we met at Polesden Lacey where we toured the most interesting house which included a very interesting talk by one of the guides about it’s history. 

It was a beautiful sunny day and the ensuing walk around the gardens where there were magnificent floral displays was extremely pleasant. It was our intention to move on elsewhere, but following a light lunch we decided to explore further and watch a couple of the “Pop-up Shakespeare” performances. Not unnaturally Sandra and I volunteered to take part which allowed us to slightly “overact”. Following that we returned to the hotel to prepare for the evening event.

For that we were joined by a further 4 couples and were transported to Denbies Vineyard in Dorking. There we were treated to an interesting film about the development and workings of the vineyard. This was followed by a tour of the vineyard by “train” ending up at the highest point with magnificent views. The weather was very kind to us and here we were treated to sparkling wine and canapés. Returning to the main building we then had a delicious dinner in the Gallery Dining Room overlooking the vineyard with extremely pleasant local and foreign wines. We were then transported back to the Hotel. A splendid and very convivial occasion.

83. Admiral of the Port Challenge

Sandra and I clambered into the Company Cutter, “The Water Forget-me-not” which was beached on the shaol just below The National Theatre. For the first time for several years our Bargemaster Johnny Dwan was unable to assemble the  highly successful team of ladies who have won on so many occasions and had assembled a splendid team of men which included his son Merlin. There were two heats for the men’s crews and we were in the first. Starting opposite HQS Wellington our team pulled away and immediately went into the lead which they maintained all the way to the Westminster Boating Base, winning by a massive margin. The second heat had a slight advantage as the tide had turned and the wind gave them a boost. As a result our team were defeated by a margin of ten seconds into third place! Never-the-less a splendid effort and a well deserved reception with drinks and canapés afterwards.

82. Ironbridge Gorge Livery Weekend. 8/9th June

Started by the late Sir Peter Gadsden who was Lord Mayor in 1979/80, this was the 35th such event. It was attended by Masters and Consorts of 102 Livery Companies. The weekend was organised by the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust.

After a rather frustrating journey with several diversions because of traffic accidents, we arrived at the Holiday Inn in Telford where all participants were accommodated. Early that evening the bar was filled with many familiar faces before we moved on to the first organised function which was a black tie dinner at Coalbrookdale, the home of cast iron. Excellent company, food and wine and a jolly group each way on the coach made this a splendid evening.

On the Saturday we were split into four groups and taken to various museums, coming together for lunch and then continuing the tour. Ironbridge was at the heart of the Industrial Revolution and the tour included the old furnace where pig iron was smelted, museums of caste iron, sagger makers, Coalport china, tiles and a replica Victorian Village with shops all beautifully displayed and very interesting. 

Unfortunately the Ironbridge itself was clad in plastic and undergoing renovation. There was however a model!

In the evening we were treated to The President’s Summer Ball. An evening where at the end of the meal there was an opportunity to dance and let your hair down – which many of us did!

This was a superb weekend among many friends and acquaintances from the Livery. 

81. Buckingham Palace Garden Party, 5 June

A delightful afternoon spent in the gardens of Buckingham Palace along with several thousand other people. What started as a very overcast and chilly day changed to a bright, sunny and warm afternoon at about the time Sandra and I joined the long queue to enter the Palace grounds.

The event was attended by His Royal Highness Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall. From the Livery the two Sheriffs and their Consorts were also in attendance as were several other Masters and Clerks, most of whom we knew. It was also an occasion where one could chat with a wide range of other guests. We were treated to a delicious tea with a superb choice of savouries and cakes! The large number of people made it almost impossible to meet the Royal couple, although we did manage to get a glimpse of them.

It was nice to stroll around the gardens and lake and listen to the two Military Bands that played alternately throughout the afternoon. A splendid occasion and a pleasure to have been invited.

80. Beating Retreat, Horseguards Parade, 30 & 31 May.

Taking advantage of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity offer to Livery Companies of VIP priority seating, 38 Members, Consorts, family and friends came to view this event which is performed on two days every two years.  The largest group of 33 attended on 31 May. Having endured long queues to pass through tight security our group were seated in a block on a stand just off centre with an excellent view of the proceedings. 

Beating Retreat had its origins in early warfare when the drum was used for all signals on the battlefield. It was a signal for troops to disengage from combat at the end of the day as darkness fell. We were treated to a full hour and a half programme of music and spectacle which included the ceremony of Beating Retreat.

First, 30 members of the Corps of Drums marched onto the parade playing drum solos. Following Bugle calls the Massed Bands then marched on in quick time. They heralded the arrival of His Royal Highness The Duke of Cambridge, who was taking the salute on behalf of his brother Prince Harry (who was on his honeymoon). 

There followed a ceremonial precision marching display, the actual Ceremony of Beating Retreat, further marching displays and the finale of “Rule Britannia” and the National Anthem. This was a fantastic evening of precision marching. The Massed Bands utilised the whole display area, splitting into 2 and 4 groups, counter marching, wheeling and reforming continuously. Not a single one out of step at any time! A perfect evening weather wise and thoroughly recommended if tickets can be obtained again in 2020.

79. Postal Museum and Rail Mail Visit, 25 May

A group of 22 Company members and consorts visited the Postal Museum behind the massive Mount Pleasant Sorting Office in Finsbury on the morning of 25 May. Individual groups made their way around this highly interesting Museum.  Exhibits included an early mail coach, through to more recent vans, old post and telephone boxes, stamps, and letters. The photograph below is of a Royal Mail Coach. The Coachman bears a striking resemblance to me!

Everyone then went to the Rail Mail terminal where we all squeezed onto the mail train. It was amazing to learn that the system was first established in the 1930’s. We were taken on a circular ride, stopping periodically at “stations” where original film presentations of the system were shown. At the end of the ride, there were further interesting film presentations of mail deliveries by train and an operational console for the mail rail system.

This was a very interesting visit, rounded off with a small group of us, who had in the past worked in the area, visiting the “Shakespeare’s Head” for a light lunch.  

78. Lord Mayor’s Big Curry Lunch Reception

This reception, held this year at Carpenter’s Hall, is where the result of the Lord Mayor’s Big Curry Lunch is announced. The Company had collected £800 at the Election Court Lunch and the Thames Warden and I attended the reception along with a wide range of Livery, City, business and service personnel. This is the first year that the proceeds have gone to the charities of all three services.

The Lord Mayor announced that the proceeds amounted to £180,000 bringing the total raised over the last eleven years to £1.9 million. General Sir Michael Jackson, President of ABF, The Soldiers’ Charity, spoke of the wide range of support that the Armed Forces Charities have provided over the last year, ranging from a 107 year old widow to a 2 year old child. He expressed the hope that the proceeds from next year’s lunch, which is to be held on 4 April 2019, would hit the £200,000 target.

77. The Company of Plumbers Lecture and Dinner, 21 May

It was a great pleasure to be invited to the Worshipful Company of Plumbers’ annual lecture and dinner at the Royal College of Physicians. The lecture, entitled “Good morning do you wish to see a Doctor or a Plumber?” was given by Professor Mala Rao of Imperial College, London and covered the global challenges of water scarcity, water quality, extreme weather events and water conservation, subjects of particular interest to me and of considerable  relevance to our Company. Mala’s presentation is available to view on the Plumber’s website (www.plumberscompany.org.uk). The issue of desalination allowed me to answer a question and I went on to speak about water conservation issues. From comments afterwards this appears to have gone down well!

I was hosted during the evening by Fiona Woolf and it was good to meet with a number of members of the Plumbers’ Company with whom I had considerable contact during my time in the Water Directorate of what was then the DETR and later as a consultant.

It was a privilege to sit on the Master Plumber’s table between his Consort and the Chief Executive of Wateraid.  Very interesting company, an enjoyable meal and excellent wines. My thanks to the Master Plumber for allowing me to be part of a highly interesting and enjoyable evening.

76. 100+ Club Lunch, 18 May

As the title suggests, this is a group of Livery Companies numbered from 101 upwards. Although established at the beginning of the millennium around the time when the Company of Water Conservators took livery, the early activity was fairly limited and even led to a period of inactivity. However, in recent years with the arrival of several more new Companies the idea of lunches was resurrected and the Information Technologists’ Company (number 100), in whose hall recent lunches have been held, have also been included. The Company of World Traders have taken on the role of hosting the event and invitations are extended to the Masters and Clerks of the eligible Companies.

I was delighted to attend this year’s event and was seated on the top table next to the Master World Trader, Michael Mainelli. We were treated to an excellent meal and fine wines after which we adjourned to the local hostelry for the The Styrrup Cup! A splendid day and start to the weekend!

75. Spring Networking Event, 16 May

The culmination of much discussion and the introduction of a new category of membership in a bid to encourage younger professionals into the Company, an evening Networking Event was held in the private members dining room at the Guildhall. Around 30 guests were welcomed by a small group of senior members of the Company. After a brief introduction about the Company Liveryman Robbie Epsom spoke about his experience of being a younger member and why those present should also consider joining. He was followed by the Thames Warden, Simon Catford, who spoke about the mentoring scheme that was being introduced. Following a brief description of the membership categories drinks and canapés were served and the networking began in earnest. My thanks to all who helped to make this a successful evening. The guests were all given a recruitment pack on leaving and hopeful the event will bear fruit with a number of new members.

74. Visit to Museum of London 15 May

Prior to a Trustees meeting and at the invitation of the Grants Manager at the Museum of London a small group of Company members assembled to view the Whitechapel Fatberg display. This block of fat, wet wipes sanitary products and other articles flushed into the sewers weighing 130 tonnes and over 250 metres in length was discovered in September 2017. The amount on display is relatively small but presented a number of challenges in curating and conserving it. The photos and video put it well into context.

We were also treated to a visit of an exhibition entitled “London Nights”. This consists of over 200 photographs by some 50 artists ranging from the late 19th Century to present day many of which had never before been displayed. They are all striking images of the City at night. The exhibition is both fascinating and nostalgic. 

73. Sons & Friends of the Clergy, 15 May.

The origins of this service at St. Paul’s Cathedral date back to 1655 when a service was held and collection taken for the destitute families of priests dispossessed of their livings under Oliver Cromwell. It is now the largest UK charity focussed exclusively on supporting Anglican clergy families. Sandra and I attended this year’s service which was the 364th festival service and was supported by a large number of Livery Companies. The service was well attended by the City dignitaries and the Livery Companies processed down the aisle in reverse numerical precedence to their places under the South Dome. 

The combined choirs of St Paul’s, Gloucester Cathedral and Chelmsford Cathedral led the hymns and sang anthems. The sermon and blessing were given by the newly installed Bishop of London, the Right Reverend and Right Honourable, Dame Sarah Mullally. A beautiful service and a memorable occasion. 

72. The Tudor Pull – 13 May

The Tudor Pull celebrates the use of the River Thames from time immemorial as a means of transportation. An early start to get to Hampton Court in time to robe and then process with our Beadle, the Thames Warden, the Master of the Watermen’s Company and Her Majesty’s Barge Master, accompanied by 8 Royal  Oarsmen from the Queen’s Royal Barge ‘Gloriana’, to the front of Hampton Court Palace. The gates of the Palace then open and the ‘Stela’ is brought out accompanied by pipe and drum the Head Warder and an actor dressed as Henry VIII, to whom I then present the ‘Stela’. After taking wine with the Head Warder, we all process to QRB ‘Gloriana’ which then sets off to Richmond where we stop for lunch. At this point the Thames Warden joins our Cutter “The Water-forget-me-not” which, under the control of our bargemaster Jonny Dwan and rowed by our fantastic crew of ladies, follows the ‘Gloriana’ to the Tower of London. Once there the Royal Barge Master presents the ‘Stela’ to the Governor of the Tower of London.

What an amazing day, the weather kept fine for us, the wine and ‘bubbly’ flowed and the company was great. This year we were filmed by 2 crews. The actor Tony Robinson was filming a programme “Walking the Thames” for Channel 4 and recorded the proceedings from Hampton Court to Richmond. There was also to usual film crew organised by the Thames Traditional Rowing Association. An unforgettable occasion

71. Barts View Day – 9 May

It is amazing to learn that this year is the 468th anniversary of the celebration of View Day at St Bartholomew’s Hospital and I was delighted to have been invited by the Chair of Barts Charity and the Chair of Barts Health NHS Trust to this year’s event.

The evening commenced with choral evensong at the Priory Church of St Bartholomew the Great. This is one of London’s oldest churches having been in continuous use as a place of worship since at least 1143. The architecture is amazing and it survived the Great Fire in 1666, the bombs dropped in Zeppelin raids during World War I and the Blitz in World War II. It was interesting to read that the church has been featured in a number of award-winning films including Four Weddings and a Funeral and Shakespeare in Love. Choral evensong was beautifully sung by a small choir and the Rector’s sermon was highly thought provoking.

Following the service we processed to the Great Hall in St Bartholomew’s Hospital for a reception. The Hall is decorated with portraits and dedications to the early contributors to the redevelopment of The Hospital. Most striking is the portrait of Henry VIII at the West end of the room, hands on hips and glaring down at all who enter. The Walls are lined with the names of the benefactors that supported the Hospital from its re-foundation onwards. The names run from 1546 until 1905, at which point space apparently ran out! The amazing ceiling is decorated with gold leaf. Magnificent surroundings for a glass or two of wine and delicious canapés not forgetting of course the interesting speeches about the work of Barts Charities! A brief tour to see the new robotics and a beautifully decorated room for cancer patients who have undergone chemo-therapy rounded off the visit.