80. City Consorts Lunch, 28 January 2019

The first City Consorts lunch of 2019 was held in the Ironmongers’ Hall and as a member, the Mistress was invited to attend. It was a very nice occasion and there were many new friends to make.

The City Consorts is a recently formed society for the Consorts of future, present and past Masters of London Livery Companies. The main purpose is to make up and coming Consorts feel confident in ‘taking on’ their year so as to get the most out of it for their respective Company and themselves. It is a great idea and is thriving due in part to the hard work of the organising Committee, led by their Chair Von Spofforth. As there is a constant ‘churn’ of Consorts joining and leaving, these occasions are invaluable in keeping everyone up to speed and well-connected. It was a wonderful day.

The present Ironmongers’ Hall – home to the Worshipful Company of Ironmongers – is the fourth incarnation in the Company’s long history. Nestling just behind the Museum of London (and some other very brutal, modern buildings), it was opened in 1925 after the third Hall had been destroyed by enemy action in WW1 (not the Blitz!) and is built in a Tudor style. A drinks reception was held in the Drawing Room before lunch was served in the Banqueting Hall. Principle guest was the Consort of the present Aldermanic Sheriff, Amanda Keavney who is also Patron to the society. As this was an informal gathering there were no speeches as such but everyone was made to feel very welcome and the Mistress was delighted to meet new faces as well as catching up with familiar ones.

The City Consorts are a great society and do so much to make the world of Livery work so well. Thank you to all involved.

79. Ladies Lunch, Drapers’ Hall, 25 January 2019

The Mistress was delighted to receive an invitation from the Mistress Security Professional to attend their Ladies Lunch at the wonderful Drapers’ Hall. She needed no second bidding and so whilst the Master was hard at work promoting the Company at the Clean City Awards lunch, the Mistress made her way over to Throgmorton Avenue!

The Drapers’ Hall needs no introduction but the Mistress Security Professional had organised a behind the scenes tour of this magnificent building. The assembled guests were given some little-known facts including the story of the refurbishment of the four great tapestries (now nearly complete). Fascinating stuff.

There then followed a lovely lunch expertly served by the in-house catering team. After the Loyal and Civic toast and a speech of welcome by both the Master and Mistress Security Professional, former Sheriff and now Patron of the City Consorts, Mrs Fiona Adler took centre stage. She gave a delightful speech and thanked all six visiting Consorts (including Consort of the present Aldermanic Sheriff, Amanda Keavney) for their attendance. Some ‘guilty secrets’ about each were revealed but space does not allow further details on this occasion! Suffice to say a good time was had by all.

The event was kindly sponsored by Estée Lauder and so there were one or two gifts available to take away. The Mistress is now fully stocked with scented candles!

A lovely social occasion and thanks are due to the Mistress Security Professional and her team for all the hard work. Pictures show the magnificent Livery Hall and one of the tapestries (plus some of the ladies who lunch!).

78. Clean City Awards Lunch, 25 January 2019

Sponsored by the City of London Corporation, the Clean City Awards Scheme (CCAS) has been run for nearly 25 years. Its primary purpose is to promote a cleaner and tidier City for the benefit of residents, business, tourists and other visitors and has developed in size and shape over the years. One of the key elements of the Scheme is the awards lunch which takes place each January. As the Company is a sponsor of one of the awards (see below), I was delighted to receive an invitation to attend at the Mansion House, along with the Fleet Warden Rob Casey. It was a very interesting day.

This high-profile event was overseen by Locum Tenens Alderman Sir Andrew Parmley (the Lord Mayor was abroad) and commenced with a networking event in the Salon. Several interested parties had stands there including the Plastic Free City (PFC) initiative in which the Company is a heavily involved. This proved to be a great opportunity to meet a wide range of major employers in the City, members of the Corporation and the award winners, all of whom share a similar passion to make the City cleaner and healthier. For its part, the Company have sponsored a new category – ‘Plastic Free City’ and it was good to be able to explain to people how it works and what the objectives were.

The campaign is designed to raise awareness of the damage caused by plastic waste and litter, particularly along riverfronts and bridges. It is aimed at helping businesses reduce their reliance on unnecessary single-use plastics in their operations. The award is to recognise those businesses who have taken active steps to do this and to celebrate their achievements. In its inaugural year, this category attracted 13 high-quality entrants and today the winner was to be announced – the tension was palpable!

After taking our seats for lunch, the award ceremony began. A brief speech of welcome by Alderman Sir Andrew Parmley heralded the newly appointed Director of Transportation and Public Realm, Zahur Khan to read out the award winners. Prizes were presented by Sir Andrew and there were a lot of them! Very impressive.

But before long we got to the award for Plastic Free City. Judging of the 13 entries had been done by myself, the Fleet Warden and Past Master Keith Tozzi together with the PFC Project Manager, Mike Simmonds. It was a tough call to make but, in the end, we agreed that Rothschilds had done the most to further the reduction of single-use plastic in their workspace. Worthy winners indeed. It was with great pleasure therefore that Sir Andrew and I presented an engraved water jug to Katie Davies, Assistant Environmental Manager and Greg Ritt, Group Environmental Manager for their impressive work. We aim to make this award an annual addition to the CCAS.

Other awards were presented including Street Sweeper and Waste Operative of the Year. All good stuff.

After the awards ceremony a lunch was served and the networking continued. It was an excellent opportunity to further promote the good work of the Water Conservators and the PFC initiative which together with other schemes in place, will do much to improve the environment of the City and the wider global challenge of discarded plastic.

Pictures shows the Master with the winners from Rothschild, Sir Andrew with some of the prizes and the Fleet Warden and Mike Simmonds manning the stand.

77. Masters Committee, 23 January 2019

The Members Club at the Guildhall was once again the venue for the Masters Committee and so my fellow Wardens and the Clerk met at 11:00 to work on the current matters of the day within the Company – and there is plenty going on!

Space does not allow for all the detail we discussed that is essential in keeping the Water Conservators in good shape (and we are in good shape!) but the two key areas of focus were the forthcoming WET 10 lecture on 21 March and the subsequent Environmental Initiative on the following day. Both these high-profile events require a lot of planning and organisation and I am pleased to note that both are developing well. Working as we are in partnership with the City of London Corporation, Thames Water, Stantec and other like-minded organisations, we are confident that we will be able to deliver these to a very high standard. Come along to the Guildhall Yard on 22 March around lunchtime and see for yourself!

The hard work continued over a sandwich lunch and we completed the full agenda in time for our respective trains home. My thanks as ever go to the team and for all their support and assistance. A great joint effort!

76. Water Conservation Trust, 22 January 2019

This was the first meeting of 2019 for the Trust and I was once again invited to attend in my role as Master. Under the expert chairmanship of Past Master Roger North, we had a full agenda and there was a lot to discuss. It was pleasing to note that a number of applications for funding for our partner schools were approved as was the continuation of the University Bursary programme.  The Trust has a very impressive list of Universities that it supports and the requirement for funding has never been greater.

Indeed, it was a real pleasure to be able to recognise some of the work that these students achieve via our Dissertation Prize. At the recent Myddelton Lunch (see Blog No 73) I was able to reward two students (from Birmingham and Queen Mary) for their hard work. We look forward to many more in the future.

We also spent time working on the next strategic plan for the Trust that will inform and shape the direction of travel for the next five years. An important and vital document to ensure the continued success of this very valuable charity.

The Trust has met at the office of IES for a number of years but due to their office relocation we have to find a new home. This is in hand and our thanks go to IES for all their hospitality and assistance and we wish them every success at their new location.

75. City New Year Service, 11 January 2019

The first Livery-wide event of 2019 took place at St Michael Cornhill in the form of the City New Year service. The Mistress and I joined most of the other Livery Masters and their Consorts at noon for this special annual act of worship.

Led by the Reverend Charlie Skrine, Priest-in-charge at St Michael the congregation took their places to a powerful rendition of a Bach Organ Prelude played on the newly restored organ – very loud! The choir then processed in followed by distinguished guests, the Lord and Lady Mayoress, the Governor of the Bank of England and other dignitaries from the City of London Corporation.

The First lesson was read by the Governor and the Second by the Lord Mayor; both were well chosen readings from Isaiah and Hebrews respectively. We then had the pleasure of a sermon by the actor David Suchet CBE, himself a committed Christian. His sermon was based on that best-selling book of all time, The Holy Bible and he led us through some fascinating facts about its history, content and meaning. Despite its complexity he finished by summarising that the only true teaching from it was that of love. Very powerful.

After the service we made our way to the Drapers Hall and enjoyed a very pleasant lunch reception – the room was packed! It was good to catch up with old friends after the Christmas break and we all looked forward to another exciting year in our respective Livery Companies and together.

Our thanks to the Master Draper for his hospitality and the clergy at Michaels for a wonderful day.

74. Networking Evening, 9 January 2019

The WeWork offices in Devonshire Square was the venue for the first Water Conservators Networking evening of 2019 and it was a great success. Organised by Company members Robbie Epsom, Dorry Price and Kathryn Pharr, the event was specifically aimed at younger professionals in the water, waste and environmental sectors in London.

I was pleased to be joined by the Deputy Master, the Thames and Fleet Wardens and Past Master Keith Tozzi who between us met the twenty or so invited guests in what was a very informal setting. In fact, the WeWork offices are designed for just such events in mind in that they have open areas with relaxed décor and furniture and a long table-top bar. It felt almost like we were hosting a drinks party in one’s own kitchen! Very convivial.

I opened the evening with a few words of welcome stressing that this was not a ‘hard sell’ for the Water Conservators but simply an opportunity to bring like-minded people together. This seemed to strike a chord as evidently there are little or no mechanisms like this currently available.

I was followed by a few words of support for the Company by Dorry and Kathryn which were well placed before we handed over to our key-note speaker, Harry Knibb from WSP. Harry’s theme was health and well-being within a modern building design concept, a subject on which he is a consultant. He gave us a fascinating insight into the expectations and demands of employees, employers and regulators in the design and sustainable operation of buildings and the opportunities these give for innovation and resource efficiency. The reduction in waste arisings, smart use of water and carbon-free buildings was central in his talk and was most interesting. Suffice to say there is a lot going on in this space.

After some insightful questions from the floor I wrapped up with an update on the Company’s participation in the Plastic Free City campaign recently launched by the City of London Corporation. Our audience were very interested to hear about the ‘pledge’ and how they can play a part in it.

After the talks the evening continued in a most pleasant way and several guests expressed interest in joining the Company – a pleasing response.

Such was the success of the evening it is likely to become a bi-annual event and we look forward to meeting more young people in due course. My thanks go to all who helped put this together. Pictures show guests during the talks and the Fleet Warden, Master and Deputy Master with consultant and previous Water Conservator bursary student from Brunel, Edna Wolfermann. 

73. Myddelton Lunch, 7 January 2019

After the church service and procession through the streets (see Blog No 72) we arrived at Trinity House (see photo) for the Myddelton Lunch. There was an air of great excitement as we had been honoured with the presence of the Lord and Lady Mayoress and the Aldermanic Sheriff as our Principle Guests. No pressure then!

But of course, it all went very well due to the expert organisation of the Clerk, the Beadle and the caterers, the Cook and the Butler. And what an enjoyable day it was too.

The lunch was preceded by a drinks reception at which my three Wardens and I took great pleasure in welcoming the 100 or so guests in person. There were many familiar faces present but also many new ones and it was very enjoyable to greet each one.

But before long the Beadle knocked-up for lunch and the guests took their places. Processing with the Lord and Lady Mayoress and the Sheriff into the wonderful Dinning Hall was a real honour and our guests clapped us in in good style. After grace from the Chaplain, a marvellous lunch was served to us which – despite the usual post-Christmas diets - seemed to disappear very quickly such was the quality of the meal!

After the Loyal and Civic toasts, I formally welcomed our many friends and guests. As is our tradition, members of the Company drank their health in water which is a lovely touch. And then the Lord Mayor took to his feet to deliver a fascinating and thought-provoking speech regarding sustainability and the environment. He paid tribute to the Company in general at this time of great awakening regarding water-borne pollution from single-use plastics and in particular the work we are undertaking with the Corporation to change people’s perceptions. It was a well-crafted and powerful speech and from such a high-profile figure.

In response I was able to further develop the Lord Mayors themes and thanked the Company for their invaluable contribution to this vital issue. This topic is certainly striking a chord with all who come to understand the implications, not just for the City but society as a whole.

On a lighter note I was proud to be able to present Water Conservator Dissertation Prizes to two students, one from Birmingham and one from Queen Mary Universities. The quality of their work was exceptional and they were worthy winners.

Finally, the draw for the 100 Club took place and the Mayor, Lady Mayoress and the Sheriff drew the tickets. The Clerk will be notifying winners shortly!

The retiring collection was held on behalf of Treloars College and a large four figure sum was raised. Thank you to all for your generosity.

And thus concluded the lunch which was a great success. Thanks as ever to all those who made it possible and to all the members and their guests who turned out on a cold January day to join together in fellowship.  Picture shows the Lord Mayor in full flow with the Mistress, Master and Lady Mayoress giving him their full attention!

72. Myddelton Church Service, 7 January 2019

As the Company’s adopted church, St Mary-at-Hill was the venue for this important service in the tradition of the Water Conservators. The service has two key function; the first to commemorate the life of Sir Hugh Myddelton who was instrumental in constructing the New River in the early 17^th Century and secondly, to re-dedicate the livery to the service of the City and to God. In keeping with the solemnity of the service it was a great honour that the Company’s Chaplin (and Honorary Freeman – see Blog No 67) the Rev’d Rose Hudson-Wilkin was able to lead the proceedings.

The service was well attended by members of the Company including all the Wardens, the Deputy Master, past Masters, the Clerk, two Bailiffs, the Beadle and many other Court Assistants all of whom were robed and badged. It was a very proud moment to be able to lead the Company as we processed into the church.

After the National Anthem, Bidding Prayer and Hymns I had the privilege of reading the Lesson (Number 20, vs 1-11) before the Chaplain gave the Address. In it she urged all members of the Company to call on God when needed and to trust in His word.

There then followed the re-dedication of the Company Cross which stood on the alter, before all the members of the Company stated a new their allegiance to the Sovereign and their pledge to the Livery. Very moving indeed.

And then out onto the streets of London to process once more in full regalia to our lunch destination at Trinity House.

A very important service and I was delighted by the good turn-out from the Company. Thank you to the Chaplin for her inspiration and to the Church Wardens and staff at St Mary-at-Hill for making us so welcome.

Photos shows Master and Wardens etc at the door of the church and parading down Great Tower Street.

71. Lunch at the Old Bailey, 4 January 2019

As 2019 dawned, the Masters year got off to a prompt start with an invitation to join Sheriff The Hon Liz Green and four Queens Counsels’ for lunch at the Old Bailey. What an opportunity to see behind the scenes of the Central Criminal Court, one of the most famous buildings in London if not the world! So, it was with great excitement that I reported to the Lord Mayors entrance off Warwick Square at 12:30 precisely.

After an airport-style security check, I was welcomed into Sheriff Liz Greens private quarters for a small (soft) drinks reception. Joined at first by six other personal guests of Liz, we chatted whilst awaiting the judges. As this was the first week after Christmas, the case load was not great and all four judges were able to complete their hearings in the morning so they seemed very relaxed when they joined us for the lunch itself.

This was a light meal with soft drinks and coffee and was expertly served. Chatting over lunch one quickly realises that despite them being at the top of their profession, a QC is like everyone else and they have absolutely no airs and graces. I found all of them (two women, two men) to be utterly charming and interesting and they seemed to really enjoy meeting people.

But it was very much a working lunch and they soon had to return to their chambers to complete the paperwork for their respective cases.

After lunch we were offered a chance to see the witness support suites at the top of the building. It was fascinating to be shown around by two of the volunteers – Victoria and Madeline - who man the suites each day. It was very impressive and clearly every care is taken to ensure witnesses and their families are kept safe during a very stressful time. A real credit to the legal system.

But the show stopper for me was to be able to visit Number One Court of the Old Bailey, perhaps the most famous court room in the world! The sense of history was palpable and one could almost feel and hear the famous trials that have taken place in that very room. It is certainly best however to be there as a visitor and not in any other capacity! A truly memorable experience.

We were then shown some other parts of this wonderful building before concluding with a quick look at the old Roman wall (the word bailey comes from the French baile meaning wall) way down in the cellars. Remarkable history and a remarkable building.

And so the tour was over. Thank you to the staff at the Old Bailey for making our visit so special and for the hospitality from Sheriff Green. Pictures show the area under the central dome of the Old Bailey and the world-famous Number One Court.