The wonderful Armourers’ Hall on Dowgate played host for the Company’s Michaelmas Court and Lunch and it turned out to be a very busy day with a wealth of new faces amongst our existing members.
The day started with the Court meeting which saw a nearly full attendance of Wardens, Past Masters and Court Assistants. Before the meeting even started I was delighted to formally cloth Christine Jarvis and Christine Duthie as our new Court Assistants and they looked splendid in their robes and sporting their new tear-drops! I look forward to working with both Christines into the future.
Next up was to admit three new Freemen to the Company and so it was with great pleasure that I received Steve Morris, Ian Noble and Jim Southworth who duly pledged their undertaking to the Company and took possession of their tear-drops. Welcome aboard!
Furthermore, the Deputy Master Mike Williamson admitted both his Consort Sandra and his son Andrew as a Freeman and a Liveryman to the Company respectively. It is a rare occasion that a Deputy Master can admit both his wife and son on the same day and Mike took full advantage of making it very special!
Despite all this activity the Clerk and the Beadle ensured that due protocol was observed throughout and it was a very pleasing start to the day.
We then turned to matters on the Agenda and the I am pleased that the Court approved the Company Accounts for 2017/18 together with other pressing matters of the day. The Court have a wealth of experience and expertise and it was good to see this being utilised to the benefit of the Company going forward. The Court’s scrutiny and decision-making powers are important aspects of good business governance.
After a short break it was time to commence a formal reception ahead of lunch. I was delighted to welcome the Master Launderer, Forbes MacDougall; the Master Master Mariner, Captain Robert Booth and his Clerk and the Master Watermen & Lightermen, Dr Iain Reid and his Clerk. In addition, our guest speaker Mrs Mary Prior, CVO, MBE was accompanied by her husband John and had travelled from Bristol to be with us. These distinguished persons joined members of the Company and their guests and really filled the room. It was very pleasing to see so many people there and clearly enjoying the day.
After Grace by the Deputy Master we enjoyed a fine meal courtesy of the Cook and the Butler and before we knew it, it was time for the speeches.
The Walbrook Warden, Malcom Butchers had the privilege of welcoming all our guests and proposed the toast – in water – to all those present. In response, Mary gave a very interesting and entertaining speech about her role in the civic life in Bristol and particularly her ten years or so as Lord Lieutenant to the city. She had one or two amusing anecdotes about her royal charges but discretion prevented her from revealing too much – a sensible approach! But it was good to hear the similarities between the Livery movement in London and the Merchant Venturers’ in Bristol, of which Mary is a member.
Mary concluded her speech with a toast to the Company which was very well received. In response I was able to thank all for attending and to introduce our two new Court Assistants, our four new Freemen and one new Liveryman and to welcome our two new Associate Freemen, Kathryn Pharr and Dorry Price. It was a real pleasure to meet these new recruits to the Company.
I was also able to confirm Stuart Herritty as Bailiff to the Thames Warden.
After the usual Parish Notices it was time to retire for a Stirrup Cup but before we did so, Court Assistant Nigel Cartwright announced the retiring collection which was for the Water Conservation Trust. I am delighted to confirm that some £840 was raised and that these monies will now be used to forward the objectives of the Trust in their charitable giving. Thank you all for your generosity!
And so, the day drew to a close and I would once again wish to thank all those that made it such a special event. To see so many members and guests enjoying good fellowship is a real pleasure and I look forward to many more such occasions.
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