55. FM&GP Meeting, 14 November 2018

The second meeting of the Finance, Membership and General Purposes Committee in my Mastership took place at the Guildhall on Wednesday and it was privilege to take the chair. Attended by eleven other members of the Company including the Wardens, Clerk and Treasurer we quickly got down to business on what was a full and busy agenda.

Space does not allow for the full details of the meeting to be discussed here but suffice to say good progress was made on a number of topics including finance, recruitment (H₂O) and staffing. There is always so much going on in a vibrant company such as ours and I am grateful to the Committee for their hard work and expertise. Our concentration was briefly broken by a Fire Alarm which effected the whole building; but fortunately it was not raining as we stood outside waiting for the All Clear!

It was also good to report on a number of successful events held recently including the Annual Banquet and the visit to the Bank of England. We also discussed the events planned for 2019 which include a New Year Networking event on 9 January. Good progress is being made with all of these.

The meeting was followed by lunch which gave us the opportunity to discuss more somewhat abstract matters without the confines of an agenda. Some very interesting debates were had!

My thanks must go to all the Committee for their input and good counsel. A great team to work with!

54. Barbers Company – Lecture, 13 November 2018

Now in its 36^th year, the Sir Lionel Denny Lecture is one of the high-points in the calendar for the Worshipful Company of Barbers and so it was a great pleasure for the Mistress and I invited to attend. Held in the wonderful Barber-Surgeons’ Hall off London Wall, we joined 70 or so other Masters and Consorts for the lecture.

On arrival we were shown into the Great Hall, a striking room panelled with Japanese Oak and opening directly onto the Terrace. Lit with Waterford crystal chandeliers, flooded with natural light and bowed towards the West, the Hall is dominated by a magnificent Holbein painting of Henry VIII uniting the Barbers’ and Surgeons’ Companies in 1541-42 (see photo). We duly took our seats to await our guest speaker who was introduced by the Master Barber, Dr Timothy Cutler.

Dr Margaret Pelling is a senior research associate of the Wellcome Unit for the History of Medicine at Oxford University. Her topic was the history of the Barbers Pole, a well-known symbol connected with the trade of barbering, a most ancient trade. Focussing particularly on the period 1500 to 1700 Dr Pilling took us through some of the lessor known aspects of the pole, its symbolism and significance. She also dispelled some urban myths as to the meaning of the red and white (and sometimes blue) stripes than adorn the pole. In short, no one really knows where they came from. But it was a fascinating insight into the workings of London life in the late Middle Ages!

After some questions from the floor Dr Pelling was thanked for her speech and a small gift was presented. Guests were then invited to a reception in the Court Room with drinks and canapes.

A very enjoyable evening and great to hear about an ancient trade that is still very much alive and well in modern society – that of having a hair-cut! Our thanks to the Master Barber and his Wardens for their hospitality.

53. Water Conservation Trust, 13 November 2018

As noted in a previous Blog (No 13) it is customary for the Master of the day to attend the above Trustee meetings as an observer. I therefore took my place with other Trustees at the offices of the IES at 140 London Wall.

The afternoon consisted of three separate meetings; the Annual General Meeting of the Trust; a meeting of the Charity Committee and a Trustee Board meeting. All three were expertly chaired by Past Master Roger North, ably assisted by Hon Secretary and Court Assistant, Christine Duthie. The Hon Treasurer Past Master Peter Hall was also in attendance.

Needless the say the business of the day was efficiently and effectively dealt with and a number of resolutions and action points were discussed and agreed. Of particular note was a discussion on the five-year strategic plan which is currently being formulated. A very significant document which will inform the shape and content of the Trust going forward. A very exciting period ahead.

My thanks to all involved and for the standing invitation to this very important element of the work of the Worshipful Company of Water Conservators.

52. Armistice Sunday, 11 November 2018

This year marks the 100^th anniversary of the end of the First World War and so a series of special events and church services were held across the City. The Company were represented at two; the first by the Thames Warden, Mark Lane at the Tower Hill Garden of Remembrance and the second by the Mistress and I at St Pauls Cathedral and afterwards at the Royal Exchange. It was with great pride that the Company took part in both important acts of respect and thanksgiving.

Before joining the congregation at St Pauls, I took the opportunity to re-visit the Garden of Remembrance set out in St Pauls Churchyard (see Blog No 43) and noted that the rows of crosses laid by the Livery were still in good order. The Company’s cross can be seen at the forefront of the picture.

After robing, the Mistress and I took our places beneath the Great Dome. I joined with many other Livery Masters as we awaited the arrival of the Lord Mayor and other dignitaries. The organ was swelling and the enormity of the occasion was very much in our minds as we thought about all those who had fallen in our name over the years. Most humbling.

The Lord Mayor – on one of his first official duties – together with the Aldermen, members of Common Hall and the clergy processed into the Cathedral. But a special place was kept for the standards of the Royal British Legion who formed a guard of honour in front of the quire. Very impressive.

The service was led by the Dean of St Pauls, the very Reverend Dr David Ison. The Lord Mayor read a lesson and the Address was given by the Canon in Residence, the Reverend Canon Jonathan Brewster who focused on the sacrifice and duty displayed by those in the First World War and others since then. And then the Last Post sounded and the great cathedral fell silent just as the hour of eleven tolled from the bell high above the congregation. A truly inspiring moment and not lost on anyone present.

At the close of the service the Livery Masters made their way down Cheapside to the Royal Exchange where we formed up by the War Memorial. Awaiting us were several hundred spectators wedged on to the pavements and again, we awaited the Lord Mayor. Music was provided by the Band of the Coldstream Guards and during the wreath laying, a lone piper played. Amongst many others a wreath was laid on behalf of the whole Livery by the Master Fruiterer; evidently this is the first time the Livery have been represented in this way and it was very pleasing to be allowed to take part. This may become a permanent feature of subsequent remembrance events.

After the wreath laying, we filed back across to Mansion House to watch and applaud as a parade of veterans proudly marched by. They got a great reception.

And then it was all over – 100 years since the guns fell silent and we were all there to remember them. A privilege to have taken part. We then made our way to the Guildhall for a most pleasant lunch courtesy of the Master Cook.

Other pictures show the War Memorial at the Royal Exchange and the Coldstream Guards forming up next to the Bank of England. 

51. Lord Mayor’s Show, 10 November 2018

Widely recognised as the world’s largest un-rehearsed street parade, the Lord Mayor’s show is a spectacle to behold and great fun! So it was with mounting excitement that the Mistress, the Fleet Warden, Rob Casey and I took up our positions on London Wall ready to take part. And what a great day we had!

Proudly marching in the Modern Livery Companies section (position 82 in the running order) I shouldered the “Water Conservators” banner and made ready to set off. As this is such a large show and a huge logistical exercise to mount, there is a degree of hanging around but the time soon passed by chatting to other Livery Companies all dressed as we were in robes and badges of office. A Golden Double Decker Bus acted as our travelling base but there was no temptation to take a ride as the roar of the crowds and the faces of the children as we passed by was a delight to behold.

Following a well tried and tested route around London, the high point is passing Mansion House where the Lord Mayor himself and his assembled dignitaries are seated on a raised platform. We had many waives and words of encouragement from the Lord Mayor and others and many a joke were traded as we marched by. We gave a resounding cry of “Three Cheers” to the Lord Mayor as we turned the corner from Princes Street into Cheapside – wonderful!

Arriving at Temple in time for lunch we went on board HQS Wellington at the kind invitation of the Master Mariner and his team. A welcome glass of ‘good cheer’ awaited us as did a hearty sandwich to fuel us for the second half of the route. The sun was shining and all was well – a very rare occurrence for the Show as it generally is reckoned to rain every time!

But we were soon back on the road and passed Blackfriars Station to enormous crowds and much cheering.

Our route took us back past the Mansion House and we finally reached journeys-end at London Wall again. The time had flown by and still no rain. So we quickly dispersed and thanked those of the Corporation who had organised the whole day. A great credit is due to the City of London, the Police and Ambulance Service for looking after us and of course to all the many, many floats and street theatre which makes the Show so special. But being a participant unfortunately means that one doesn’t actually see much of the rest of the parade so we quickly set off home to put our feet up and to watch it on TV!

What an experience – and it didn’t rain!

Pictures show the Lord Mayor in his coach; Gog (of Gog and Magog fame) passing the Mansion House with members of the Guild of Young Freemen and the Worshipful Company of Paviors with their inflatable pig (don’t ask!) just ahead of us in the Modern Companies Section.

50. City Livery Club Musical Awards, 9 November 2018

At the kind invitation of their Chairman, Mr Ken Chaproniere, the Mistress and I attended the City Livery Club, Music Sections’ Annual Awards Dinner at the Guildhall. This prestigious black-tie dinner was to celebrate the Sections 10^th Anniversary Students Awards and we joined some 50 or so other members and guests together with the award-winning students themselves.

Guests were welcomed by the Chairman and the Hon Secretary, Maureen Bonanno-Smith with a small reception followed by dinner in the Members Dining Room. The Music Section is a lively and energetic group who all share their passion for music and drama in London and further afield. Our principle speaker was Alderman Dr Sir Andrew Parmley who is well known for his support of the arts and of music.

After a wonderful dinner Sir Andrew gave a most humorous and interesting speech and thanked the Music Section on behalf of the guests for the evening. He then, in conjunction with the Hon Secretary, made a presentation to the award winners. There were three;

·         Mr Paul Grant, Baritone of the Lady Solti Foundation

·         Miss Gabriella Jones, Harpist of the Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, and

·         Miss Pippa Myres, Ballerina of the Central School of Ballet

They were all delightful students and so enthusiastic. We were then treated to some beautiful singing by Paul followed by some lovely harp playing by Gabriella – truly magical. It was a real pleasure to see such talent and they were very worthy winners. Congratulations to all three!

A most enjoyable way to spend a Friday evening and in great company. Thank you to all involved in making this memorable event such a delight.

49. Silent Ceremony, 9 November 2018

Although Alderman Peter Estlin was elected as the next Lord Mayor on 1 October, it is not until the Silent Ceremony that the actual transfer of office takes place. And it is not called the Silent Ceremony for nothing! I therefore took my place in the Great Hall at Guildhall with a wide cross-section of Livery members (including the Sheriffs, Aldermen and member of Common Hall) and other friends and well-wishers to see the Admission of the Lord Mayor Elect (to give it its proper title) take place.

Those familiar with the Great Hall will know that it is a vast space but it was full to the brim to witness the ceremony as it unfolded before us. Unfortunately, the view is very limited but as the Lord Mayor elect is a tall man (and so am I), one could just about see what was happening (see picture). And it really is held in silence save for one oath given by Alderman Estlin at the beginning. The rest of the ceremony consists of the donning of the new Mayoral tri-corn hat (the moment the power transfers), the giving and receiving of seals of office, the Mace and the Sword and the key to the Christ’s Hospital seal. All this is undertaken by a number of City personnel including the Town Clerk, the Serjeant-at-Arms and the Common Cryer and in a very solemn, precise and ancient order. It is wonderful to see such traditions still being carried out.

The whole ceremony does not take very long and to the sound of marching feet, the new Lord Mayor reassesses from the Great Hall to the Guildhall Yard with a trumpet fan-fare. The new Lord Mayor is in office!

Dignitaries are then wished away to the Mansion House by the Mayoral limousines for afternoon tea. The rest of us just soak up the atmosphere!

So many congratulations to the new Lord Mayor, Alderman Peter Estlin and the Lady Mayoress, Lindy (see picture) and we wish them every success in their year of office. I am delighted that the new Lord Mayor has accepted my invitation to be the principle speaker at our Myddelton Lunch which will be held on 7 January 2019 at Trinity House. It will be a fascinating event.