10. Consorts Charity Lunch, 25 July 2018

A charity lunch for Consorts / Mistresses on behalf of Treloar’s School and College was kindly hosted by the Mistress Barber at the Barber-Surgeons’ Hall on Monkwell Square and so my Mistress Wendy, accompanied by the Thames Wardens’ Consort Judy West duly attended. And what a wonderful event it was too!

As readers may know, Treloars in Alton, Hampshire are world famous for their care of some of the most physically disabled young people in our society. Recent OFSTED inspections have separately rated the School, the College and the Residential care as ‘Outstanding’ and the whole ethos of Treloars is about inspiration and independence. They have long been a favourite charity of the Water Conservators, the Lord Mayor and the Barber-Surgeons’ as well as many other Livery Companies so it was a privilege to be able to attend this fund-raising event.

The current Barber-Surgeons’ Hall was built in 1969, the third iteration of the premises; the Great Fire of London and the Blitz having done for the earlier versions. Dominating the Great Hall is the Holbein painting of Henry VIII (see picture) and guests were treated to an illustrated talk on the painting by the Past Master, Sir Barry Jackson. Preceding his talk was a welcome speech by the current Master Barber-Surgeon, Tony Hoskinson who explained more about the work of Treloars’ and the importance of fund raising – they need c. £2m per year just to run, let alone any capital projects they may need.

The final talk was on ‘The History of Damask’ given by Mrs Jane O’Brien, a textile artist and a member of the Society of Designer Craftsmen. Damask has a long and interesting history as a textile and its elaborate use was much employed in Renaissance Art, including that of Holbein.

After all that history it was time for a welcome drink in the physic garden before a two-course lunch in the (air-conditioned!) Great Hall. The Mistress Barber, Mrs Sue Hoskinson welcomed the principle guests, including the Lady Mayoress, Mrs Samantha Bowman and thanked all those who attended.  This was echoed by the Lady Mayoress after the lunch.

A very lovely occasion which allowed Consorts / Mistresses to meet together in a relaxed atmosphere and – more importantly – to raise funds for such a good cause. Wendy and I look forward to our visit to Treloars in February next year. It will be a privilege to be there.

9. Knights Bachelor Service of Dedication, 19 July 2018

The Imperial Society of Knights Bachelor was founded in 1908 and given the title of “Imperial” by Royal Warrant of George V in 1912. But the origins of Knighthood go back much, much further with the first knights receiving their accolade in the tenth century. The dignity of the Knight Batchelor appeared in the reign of Henry III and derived from the Norman French word “battelier”; a battle knight. The Society today has some 1,500 members (or Knights), many of whom gathered together for this annual Service of Dedication in St Paul’s crypt.

Joined by most of the Livery Company Masters, Wendy and I we were privileged to take part in their service led by the newly installed Bishop of London, Sarah Mullally. A very grand procession preceded the service where many Knights, in their splendid scarlet cloaks, escorted the Knight Principle, Professor Sir Colin Berry and the Bishop to their seats accompanied by a trumpet fanfare played by the British State Trumpeters. Then followed a wonderful service with rousing hymns, thoughtful readings and an inspiring sermon by the Dean of St Paul’s, Dr David Ison.

A newly commissioned painting by renowned artist Hughie O’Donoghue entitled “St Martin Divides his Cloak” was dedicated by the Bishop and serves to underscore the central tenet of the Knights Bachelor being that of chivalry and the protection of the poor and needy. This theme was amplified in the Dean’s sermon where he called on all Knights to continue to support those disadvantaged people around the world who so desperately need help.

After the Recessional we were led through the streets of London (much to the amazement of the tourists!) by the Knights in full regalia to the Apothecaries Hall where a drinks reception awaited us. It was good to see so many of the Livery, together with the Knights Batchelor, enjoying fellowship and good humour after such an uplifting and important service. The Worshipful Company of Apothecaries were splendid hosts and we were able to enjoy their wonderful hall and hospitality.

A very grand occasion and a real slice of British tradition and charity. Pictures show the Knights Bachelors in their regalia and the painting “St Martin Divides his Cloak”.

8. tve Summer Reception, 18 July 2018

A charity set up some 35 years ago, tve works with filmmakers and partners worldwide to make and distribute films that put the environment and sustainability on the global agenda. I was kindly invited to their Summer Reception held at the Stern Pissarro Gallery on St James’s Street on (another!) warm Wednesday evening.

Joining a very eclectic mix of supporters from private individuals to larger trusts, we were hosted by David Stern and Lélia Pissarro in their remarkable gallery showcasing late 19th and 20th century European painting, including Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, School of Paris, French Post-War, Modern and Contemporary works (worth a visit). We heard more about tve who help to give a voice and a platform to a new generation of filmmakers who want to see a greener and fairer world.

tve films are broadcast to viewers around the world, screened to audiences ranging from policymakers to rickshaw drivers, and viewed online worldwide. They are a registered charity founded by the United Nations Environment Programme, WWF-UK, and Central Television in 1984 and receive unrestricted funding support from individuals and organisations. They will also undertake individual projects from a wide range of organisations and commissioners.

They also sponsor an environmental award at the annual BAFTA awards in November, just around the corner in Piccadilly.  

Clearly their work is highly topical and when chatting to people during the Reception, I was able to combine many of the challenges for which I was responsible back in my ‘day job’ (Board Director with responsibility for Sustainability) with the issues that face members of the Water Conservators. And there were a lot of parallels. It is very heartening to see so much passion and commitment to taking the sustainability and environmental debate to the world stage and getting some traction, at every level. As a private individual I have offered to assist if they feel appropriate but I can also see some positive connections with the Company which may be developed in the future. 

A very interesting organisation and good to have in our network.

7. Environmental Cleaners Luncheon, 18 July 2018

As guest of the Worshipful Company of Environmental Cleaners – one of the WET 10 Livery Companies – I was welcomed aboard HQS Wellington moored on Victoria Embankment for their Court Luncheon. This event – with over 100 Liverymen and their guests - was a marvellous opportunity to compare notes and to speak informally about many of the challenges that us Modern Companies currently face.

During the Reception held on the After Deck I was able to discuss with a number of Court Assistants and visiting Masters the issues of the day, the chief of these being membership. Each Company is going about recruiting new members in a slightly different way but all have the same demands – we need more new recruits. Whilst knowing that we are all in the same boat (!) doesn’t solve the problem, at least we are all joined by a common purpose. Always good to have friends!

Luncheon was then served in the Ward Room and I together with the Master Fruiterer, Master Farmer, Master Mariner and Master Waterman processed in to our table. And very welcome we were made too.

The Master Environmental Cleaner gave a very kind speech of welcome to visiting Masters and other guests but I was somewhat dismayed to find I am no longer the “youngest” Master in the Livery, having been usurped by the Master Mariner who was installed two days after me! But I conceded gracefully…

The Master Fruiterer than gave a speech in response highlighting some of the issues facing the fruit trade today (especially the current dry weather) and some of their forthcoming events. 

Back onto the After Deck for the Stirrup Cup we were again able to discuss common themes and the WET 10 got a good amount of air time. The Environmental Cleaners are very keen to continue to support the group and to further the cause. I look forward to working with them into the future. 

Thank you for a most enjoyable lunch. 

6. Jug Ceremony, 16 July 2018

Raising money by the Monarchy for the Monarchy has always been a problem and over the centuries many Kings have come up with some ingenious methods of filling the Royal coffers. One particularly cunning idea carried out by Richard I in 1197 was to sell the River Thames to the City of London Corporation. Strictly speaking he was only selling the “Conservancy” of the river but he still managed to command the sum of 1500 marks for the transaction; doubtless this would have helped pay for a war or two.

But whether it is right or wrong to sell off the “family silver” in this way, the Worshipful Company of Water Conservators mark this historic event with the Jug Ceremony in July each year. This ceremony - which takes place in the Mansion House - sees the Master present to the Lord Mayor a jug of Thames water from which a toast is drunk. Accordingly I, accompanied by the Clerk, the Fleet and Walbrook Wardens and Alderman Dr Sir Andrew Parmley attended the Mansion House at 11:00 to perform the ceremony.

Met by the Equerry and clutching the jug of water, we awaited the Lord Mayor and the Lady Mayoress. The ceremony itself is very short but poignant and the Lord Mayor graciously received the jug and an illuminated copy of the citation which I had read to him. Photographs were taken and a small glass of champagne offered in response. We then chatted to the Lord Mayor and the Lady Mayoress before they had to retire for their next duties.

Before doing so however the Lord Mayor made it very clear that he values these traditions highly and was delighted to participate. He wished the Water Conservators every success and fully supports the important work that the Company undertake.

Whilst one of the shorter events in the calendar, the Jug Ceremony does allow some quality one-on-one time with the Lord Mayor and we took full advantage. A very pleasant way to start the week.

Picture shows (from left to right) Alderman Dr Sir Andrew Parmley, the Walbrook Warden, the Lord Mayor, the Master, the Lady Mayoress and the Fleet Warden.

5. London Scottish Summer Party, 12 July 2018

The London Scottish Regiment are headquartered in a large Victorian building in Horseferry Road and have had a presence in London since 1860. Wendy and I were invited – along with a large number of other Livery Masters, Clerks and Consorts – to their annual Summer Party hosted by the Regimental Colonel. They also took the opportunity of launching their latest book, a history of “Scots in Great War London”.

As we all know the Great War was the first industrial-scale killing machine in history and hundreds of thousands of young men from all four Home Nations lost their lives, mainly on the Western Front. The book charts the journey of many Scottish soldiers who joined up in their home towns and villages and then were transported through London on their way to the war. The Regimental Hall is dominated by the War Memorial to these men (see photograph) many of whom were leading lights in business, academia, science and sport as well as humble crofters and farmers. The London Scottish Regiment were able to set up a number of support services to these men as they passed through to France – and perhaps more importantly – on their return from the trenches, traumatised and depleted as they were. They would typically be dropped off at Victoria in the early morning via the night boat from France, having then to wait until the evening train up to Scotland. The pastoral support given by the Regiment during that day saved many of these young men from themselves – one can only guess!

We were entertained by the marching bagpipe band of the Regiment with rousing renditions of some classic Scottish tunes, all in their full uniform and regalia (see photograph). We chatted to some of the pipers afterwards – however we didn’t hear a single Scottish accent!

Once again, the evening highlighted the support the Livery movement have given to the Armed Services, not just now but in the past. It is an association that will endure.

4. Kew Gardens, 11 July 2018

With the lovely summer weather once again restored, Wendy and I took ourselves off to the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew. This was my first ever visit (how could that be?) and what a treat it was too. Set over some 326 acres of prime river-side grounds, the Gardens are a beautiful paradise in a bustling, international city and is a magnet for locals as well as gardeners from around the world.

With many marvellous structures carefully placed within the landscaped grounds, Kew has so much to offer and can easily fill a day. Many will associate Kew with the Great Pagoda and the Tropical Palm House – both of which are worth a visit in themselves. But the newly restored Temperate House – the largest Victorian glass house in the world - takes centre stage and is a wonder to behold! Opened only this spring after a £41m refurbishment over four and a half years, the Temperate House is a triumph of Victorian architecture and 21st century planstmanship and contains over 1,500 plant species. A beautiful building.

I of course was most interested in their water usage and with so many plants needing watering twice a day, how they managed the precious resource. Most of the water used is stored rainwater which can be used direct on the plants but they also have to use tap water. This has to be treated before use – via RO and ultra-violet processes – and they apply it via hoses, sprinklers and automatic misting devices. In all some 320m litres of water are used each year at a cost of c. £0.25m. It is a huge logistical exercise and they employee seemingly dozens of workers just to man the hosepipes; this summer must have been particularly difficult for them.

Gardeners amongst you will also know of the benefits of mulching plants and Kew have this down to a tee – all about conserving water as much as using it.

The grounds themselves show all the signs of a hot summer but the specimen trees and most of the established shrubs are standing up well – they have seen this all before. But a good soaking of rain would do no harm at all!

When visiting make sure to check out the Hive and the Treetop Walkway, both recent additions which add yet another dimension. There are plenty of other things to see as well.

Pictures show the Palm House (from our lunch table!), the Temperate House and the Hive.