And so we go full circle with the Stationers’ Hall being the
venue for the Installation Court, my last event as Master. It was at this very
Hall on 9 July 2018 where the journey began on a swelteringly hot summers day
and whilst this year the weather was much more hospitable, the sense of
occasion was no less dramatic. For it was here that the next Mastership – the
Company's 31st – begins. But before that there was the Court meeting
itself to attend to.
Calling the various Wardens, officers of the Company and
others on the Court to order, we speedily went through the business of the day.
It was a particular pleasure to be able to cloth Martin Baggs as a new Court
Assistant who later was installed as Walbrook Warden. We wish him well.
But then it was time for the outgoing Master to address the
Court which I took as the opportunity to thank everyone for the unstinting
support and good fellowship shown to me and the Mistress. Space does not allow for
a full transcript of what I said; suffice to say that the Company is in good
heart and I am confident that the new Master and his Wardens will continue to
grow and develop the Company for the benefit of the membership and the wider
Livery. There is so much to play for at the moment and I wished them all well.
Normally the Court is adjourned at this point to conduct the
Installation Ceremony. But this year there was a slight deviation from the
normal path due to the retirement of the Beadle and the installation of his
replacement. This then was my last duty as Master and a bitter-sweet one at
that.
Anthony Parker – Tony to his many, many friends – has been
our Beadle for twenty years, something of a record. His service and devotion to
the Company during this time is beyond compare and we are so fortunate to have
had such a loyal supporter as our Beadle. I was able to take a few moments to
thank him for all he has done and he received a hearty round of applause from
the Court.
His last duty was to cloth our new Beadle, Tim Gutteridge
and I bade him welcome to the Company. The start of a new ear for the
Worshipful Company of Water Conservators! Picture shows (from left) Tony
Parker, Pam Parker and the Beadle.
I then adjourned the Court to prepare for the Installation
ceremony to be held shortly thereafter.
And that was it... My year as Master was completed and I
would like to wish Mark Lane, our new Master every success, ably supported as
he will be by the new Thames, Fleet and Walbrook Wardens. A first-class team.
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