3. Installation Lunch with Sir Brian Hoskins:

The Installation Lunch follows the Installation Court where the Wardens and Bailiffs for the coming year were installed: Keith Tozzi as Thames Warden, Mike Williamson as Fleet Warden and Richard Waller as Walbrook Warden. David Richards was installed as Master’s Bailiff and Dylan Barker as Thames Warden’s Bailiff.

The guest speaker at the Lunch was Professor Sir Brian Hoskins and his subject was whether we could expect improvements in weather forecasting in the near future.

Brian, whose research is in weather and climate and, in particular, the understanding and mathematical modelling of atmospheric motion, said that week to week it was difficult, with evidence that the usual variations in weather where exacerbated by changes in the climate. He gave an interesting account of issues relating to climate change and the improved techniques for forecasting weather whilst explaining their limitations

Brian has a long and distinguished career. He was knighted in 2007 for his services to the environment. I congratulated Brian on his recent award of the IUGG Gold Medal and his interesting speech. I also thanked the retiring Master, Roger North, and observed that his year had been remarkable in a number of ways: he and his wife Christine had represented us at a huge number of City events, he had updated our military links and paid special attention to the needs of our Corporate Members.