156. Red Cross Christmas Market Launch, 26 June 2019

With the temperatures in London climbing to the high twenties centigrade, it seemed incongruous to be think about Christmas but like it or not, the Festive Season will be soon upon us so a launch event for the Red Cross Christmas Market was held. The Mistress and I were pleased to attend with forty or so other guest in the Members Dining Room at Guildhall for this first-time event.

The British Red Cross Christmas Market has been successfully run for a number of years in the Guildhall and has raised substantial amounts of charitable giving. But the demands on any charity never go away and thus it was decided to make the 2019 Market even more special and so a launch event was held. Presided over by Alderman Alastair King we were treated to a small drink’s reception and some motivating speeches. Alderman King described how Livery companies can play their part in donating prizes as well as time and support for this amazing charity. Members of the Red Cross and the fund-raising committee were on hand to talk about the type of support they are able to give both in the UK and abroad. It is a very worthwhile organisation and has a fantastic first response capability in times of strife or conflict.

The 2019 Market will be held in the Guildhall on Tuesday 26 November and more details can be found at www.redcross.org.uk Put it in your diary now!

155. Firefighters Reception and Lunch, 25 June 2019

The Master Firefighter, Mr Andrew Mayes JP kindly invited me to the above at the Wax Chandlers’ Hall and I was delighted to accept. This very informal gathering of circa twenty or so Masters was the Masters’ way of saying thank you for the friendship and camaraderie that he had enjoyed during his Mastership – it was a very kind thought.

Assembling in the ground floor reception room, the Master welcomed us all with a glass of good cheer. As well as Masters there was a good smattering of Clerks from other companies as well as officers from the Firefighters – a very hospitable bunch. There was a distinct ‘end of term’ atmosphere as many Masters (myself and the host included) are approaching the end of their year and so the stories were of events great and small over the past twelve months. Also getting some airtime was the newly formed Past Master Association (aka Apollo 19) and the organisation that was underway to get this up and running.

The Master gave a very brief speech of welcome and a light finger buffet was supplied. It was a thoroughly pleasant way to spend a lunchtime and I am most grateful to the Master for his generosity and hospitality. Thank you.

154. Flag Raising Ceremony, 24 June 2019

Armed Forces Day is celebrated on 29 June and is designed to act as a focal point for the Nation to give its thanks to all those in the Armed Services that keep this country safe. Ahead of the main event in Salisbury, a series of ceremonies take place around the UK during the preceding week. As part of this in the City of London, a Flag Raising Ceremony took place on Monday 24 June to which Livery Masters were invited. It was a privilege therefore to attend the Guildhall Yard to show our support.

Accompanied by the Clerk, I left the lunch at the Farmers and Fletchers Hall (see previous Blog) and made haste to the Guildhall. Assembled before us was a very smart turnout of London’s Reservists from the Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force parading in ranks across the yard. In support were members of the City of London Corporation and senior military figures as well as cadets and veterans from all three Services. To the accompanying music from the Band of the Coldstream Guards, the Union flag was raised over the Great Hall.

Presiding over the short ceremony was the Lord Mayor Locum Tenens, Alderman Sir Andrew Parmley who gave a very powerful speech describing just how highly regarded the Armed Services are by the Corporation and all who live and work in the City. In response, General Officer Commanding London District, Major General Ben Bathurst explained how important events such as these were in maintaining morale in the Armed Services and how much they value our support. It was a moving speech.

In concluding, the band played again and the parade was marched off the Yard. All very well drilled and to a high standard.

A small Reception was held afterwards in the Old Library where we got chance to meet with many of the Service personnel and to hear their stories. A fascinating afternoon and thank you to the organisers and to the service men and women who took part.

153. 2019 Shrieval Luncheon, 24 June 2019

Following immediately on from the Election of Sheriffs (see previous Blog), several members of the Water Conservators were pleased to receive an initiation to join the Master Farmer and the Master Fletcher at their Hall near Smithfield Market. Accordingly, I joined with the Master-Elect, Thames, Fleet and Walbrook Wardens-Elect, the current Walbrook Warden, the Clerk and the PR Manager to walk the ten or so minutes from the Guildhall to lunch. Awaiting us were several of our Consorts (including the Mistress) who had enjoyed coffee at the Guildhall during the Shrieval Elections.

The Farmers and Fletchers Hall is a newly built one and set over two floors. It is light and airy and on a hot day was a welcome oasis. We joined some 50 or so other guests for a very relaxed drinks reception before descending the spiral staircase to lunch. The timing had gone a bit awry as the Elections had overrun but we soon caught up and after a short word of welcome from the Master Framer, Rosie Carne we were served a delicious meal. As one might imagine in such a venue, the menu focused on British, seasonal fare and was expertly served. The conversation was convivial as we discussed the election results and the shape of the next Mayoral team. All agreed that the two successful candidates would make an excellent addition and we wished then well.

After the Loyal and Civic toasts, a short speech was given by the Master Farmer in which she gave us a very interesting history of the Hall. But the clock was ticking and the Clerk and I had another event to attend. So we bade farewell to our guests and set off out onto the hot London streets once more.

Our thanks must go to the Master Farmer and Fletcher and their teams for such a splendid occasion and for the great hospitality they extended to us all.  

152. Election of Sheriffs, 24 June 2019

One of the great ceremonial occasions of the Mayoral year is the election of Sheriffs and other Officers for the year ensuing. Held in the Great Hall at the Guildhall the whole Livery and members of the Corporation are present to witness this special event. As Master Water Conservator and Liveryman, I was proud to represent to Company and exercise my ancient right.

Assembling in the Crypt below the Guildhall I joined other Livery Master to don our robes and badges. With over 100 Masters present together with several Clerks and Beadles it was a noisy place and the temperature soared. But we were soon expertly placed in order of precedence by staff and duly processed into the Great Hall, highest numbers first.

The Hall was packed to overflowing with an additional room set aside for the vast audience. As Masters we took or place near the Hustings and had a very good view. A series of dignitaries then processed in followed ultimately by the Lord Mayor. The Common Cryer called us all to attention and the Common Serjeant explained the proceedings.

There were two Sheriffs to elect; one Aldermanic, one non-Aldermanic. The latter had two candidates so it was a contested election. Each candidate was given four minutes to present their case (in addition to vigorous campaigning that had been going on for weeks beforehand) and the voting commenced. This was done by raising a coloured card. Once the votes had been counted it was confirmed that Alderman Michael Mainelli (pictured in robes) was elected Aldermanic Sheriff and Councillor Christopher Hayward as Non-Aldermanic Sheriff. Both stepped forward to confirm acceptance of their roles which they take up in early November.

Other officers were also appointed but none were contested. A short report on civic activity for the previous year was given by the assistant Town Clerk. And then it was time to retrace our steps out of the Great Hall and back to the Crypt to un-robe.

It was a great occasion full of tradition and pageantry. It was good to be there albeit a little warm. The role of Sheriff is an essential one and the two successful candidates will make a good job of it when they take on the mantel from the existing Sheriffs. We wish them every success.

151. National Refill Day, 19 June 2019

Wednesday 19 June is National Refill Day. Have you #GotTheBottle to prevent plastic pollution? 

Today the UK public will be asked if they’ve got the bottle to stop plastic pollution by switching from a single-use plastic bottle to a reusable one.

Fascinating Fact; if just 1 in 10 UK citizens Refilled just once a week, it would save around 340 million plastic bottles a year! And with the Refill app it’s easier and cheaper to refill at one of 20,000 Refill Stations across the country (and especially in London; see picture of the Master refilling his bottle at St Mary le Bow on Cheapside) than it is to buy a new single-use bottle of water.

National Refill Day is public awareness campaign to help prevent millions of single-use plastic bottles from polluting our streets and our oceans by encouraging people to carry a reusable water bottle and refill on the go. As Water Conservators we know that people are concerned about plastic pollution and they want to do something about it.

So how can you join the Refill Revolution on National Refill Day?

1. Switch from a single-use plastic bottle to a reusable one.
2. Tell the world you’ve #GotTheBottle to prevent plastic pollution.
3. Download the Refill app and find free tap water near you. https://refill.org.uk/

It really is that easy. It is all about making small incremental changes to our behaviour and if we all do this, the benefits are huge. The Worshipful Company of Water Conservators are right behind this campaign which supports the work we have been doing over a long period of time, but in particular in World Water Week in March (see Blogs Nos 96, 98, 101 and 102) and also more recently with the Westminster Sustainability Business Forum and the Lambeth Palace Roundtable (Blog Nos 141 and 150). This work will continue so that together, we can all help to turn the tide against plastic pollution in our rivers and oceans.

150. Lambeth Palace Roundtable, 14 June 2019

The Worshipful Company of Water Conservators received an invitation to attend this high-profile event so I was pleased do be able to do so. Accompanied by Thames Warden-elect Rob Casey we made our way down to Lambeth Palace to join the seventy or so other invited delegates.

Convened by Lambeth Palace (home of the Archbishop of Canterbury) and the Commonwealth Office, the Roundtable was entitled “Tackling Marine Plastic Pollution; Lessons From Inspiring Community Leaders” and had a very wide range of attendees. Ostensibly a faith-based gathering (but not exclusively so) delegates had come from around the world to be there and share their experiences and initiatives. It was entirely appropriate therefore that the Water Conservators were in attendance to add our bit.

The first session was co-chaired by the Bishop of Bristol, the Rt Rev’d Dr Vivienne Faull and the Special Representative, Commonwealth Clean Ocean Alliance, Stephen Harris. After words of welcome they introduced the opening panel of speakers including the Archbishop of Polynesia and representatives from Queens College Oxford, Defra, Sky Ocean Rescue and Tearfund. Each gave an impassioned speech about their work and the challenges ahead. These were very powerful and served to highlight the very real problems across the globe and some of the steps being taken to halt the tide – no small feat in some emerging economies. There were many questions from the floor.

After coffee the roundtable discussions began with the plenary sessions being expertly managed by co-chairs Professor Richard Thompson, Plymouth University (he of our WET 10 lecture in March – see Blog No 101) and the Rt Rev’d Graham Usher, Bishop of Dudley (himself with a BSc in Ecological Science). These discussions centred on the experiences of the delegates and the prioritisation of action in the short, medium and long term. With representatives of such diverse organizations as the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, WRAP, the EA, various High Commissioners from across the Commonwealth, senior Clergy and academics, the conversation were never going to be boring. Some very interesting insights were given and whilst there was a very strong sense of urgency there was also a sense of hope that at last nations were waking up to the global threat and were staring to mobilise. But there is a long, long way to go and the solutions will take time. Lambeth Palace will be collating the responses and will publish these shortly.

The event was followed by a light buffet lunch and the opportunity to network which Rob and I took with all four of our hands! A simply incredible event and one which the Company did well in making our points and in listening to others. We hope for more going forward and look forward to playing our part. Maybe the tide really is starting to turn?