125. The end….ave atque vale…

The Installation Court Meeting marks the end of the Master’s year of office. This year the Court Meeting was held in the Old Royal Navy College in Greenwich. Towards the close of the meeting I reflected on my year and the support given by everybody I had met. Adjourning the Court meeting we then processed to the King William Undercroft where the Ceremony of Installation took place. Thanks are extended to my family, especially Georgina and my son, Liveryman Simon, the blog-master David, and my many friends in the Company and the City.
The Master’s Blog continues with the new Master, Keith Tozzi.

124. Brunel is 50

Celebrating Brunel University London’s 50th Anniversary with a Gala Dinner on Thursday 30 June seemed a good idea at the time. The local MP for Hillingdon would provide a key address whilst contributions would come from Chancellor Sir Richard Sykes, Vice-Chancellor Julia Buckingham (right). In the event, one Boris Johnston did appear and made an encouraging speech praising the University and its place in the local community. Not so welcome (to Boris) was the demand from John Holland-Kaye, Chief Executive Office, Heathrow Airport, for a third runway!

The evening though passed without a serious confrontation with Boris (right) having to go back early to his political colleagues to sort out what was becoming a nightmare. Brunel has good relationship with employers in the area who provide industrial placements for its students. The Water Conservation Trust has supported Masters Programmes at Brunel for a decade.

123. Admiral of the Port Challenge Rowing Race

The 1.33 mile Race, between Westminster Bridge and Westminster Boating Base, takes place each year and the Company’s Cutter, the Water Forget-me-not has won the Glaziers’ Company Rose Bowl for ladies’ crews for years. The rules require the cutter to be in full regalia: canopy, four oars, coxswain and two passengers – usually the Master and Consort. The crew this year were Natasha, Valerie, Andrea and Laura.

Sitting comfortably, under instructions from the Cox (Johnny, the Company’s Bargemaster), we left the assembled cutters for a bit of practice. It’s very pleasant being quietly rowed around as the crew warm up. But then, we noticed that the Race had been started by City Sheriff Christine Rigden the other side of Westminster Bridge. We were about seven lengths behind the back markers, never mind the leaders! The ladies, knowing an injustice when they see one, set off with a vengeance.

There’s not much time to pick up that distance in a short race, but we did, with lots of encouraging shouting from the Cox. By the time we got to Westminster Boating Base we were several lengths ahead of our rivals. The team (right) received their prize from Sheriff Christine, but the whereabouts of the Rose bowl wasn’t clear. Congratulations to the team and thanks for a great evening.

The Race is organised by the charity TTRA, (The Thames Traditional Rowing Association) which supports and promotes the sport of fixed seat rowing and sculling on the River Thames in Waterman’s Cutters.

122. City Livery Concert 26 June at the Barbican Theatre

The London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Sir Simon Rattle, premiered the late Sir Peter Maxwell Davis’ children’s opera – The Hogboon – assisted by students from the Guildhall School and local children. This was followed by Berlioz’ Symphonie Fantastique. Sir Simon becomes Music Director at the City-based LSO in 2017. The evening was well attended by the Livery and raised money for the Lord Mayor’s Appeal.

121. Armed Forces Flag Raising

For good or ill, the City has had a long relationship with the armed forces. The Corporation with the Livery Companies have links with all services and cadet movements. Each year this relationship is renewed at the Armed Forces Flag Raising Day. Held on the afternoon of 24 June, Livery Company Masters were invited to join the Lord Mayor’s Party in a military review.


The special Armed Forces Flag was raised over the Guildhall. After a prayer from the Guild Vicar, Canon David Parrott, and a welcome speech from the Lord Mayor, the assembled Service contingent and British Legion representatives was inspected by the Mayoral Party (see right) and senior military officials. Throughout the event, a Guards’ band played – stirring military tunes you’ve heard of! After a march past the Service contingent was dismissed.

120. Election of Sheriffs for 2016-17

At Common Hall at Guildhall on Midsummer Day, 24 June, two Aldermen were elected Sheriffs for the coming year. Ald. (and Haberdasher) William Russell (right) and Ald. (and International Banker) Peter Estin (below right); both agreed to serve. This is a serious undertaking, spending the year in quarters at the Old Bailey whilst they fulfil their responsibilities, which include a high profile in City affairs.

The arrangements for Common Hall are elaborate. City officials and Liverymen can attend. Masters process in reverse order but fill seats from the back! They are joined by the Aldermen and Beadles and the Mayoral Party. The election of Sheriffs, two Bridge Masters, four Ale Conners (who examine the measures used by beer and liquor sellers to guard against fraud) and Auditors is done by a show of hands. Business done, Common Hall is dismissed to shouts of God save the Queen!

119. Building Crafts College

Founded by the Worshipful Company of Carpenters in 1893, the Building Crafts College (BCC) has a long tradition of delivering high quality education and training in building crafts and building conservation. The BCC, located in Stratford, is an Educational Charity and is governed and financially supported by the Worshipful Company of Carpenters, with further funding from other Companies, including the Turners and Masons.
A group of 25 Masters were shown around the training facilities by College Principal Len Conway and the level of skill achieved in wood, stone work, and conservation, after two years’ study, was impressive. Len, the Master Turner and Master Carpenter are pictured right. Talking of charitable funding (Blog 118), the Carpenters’ Company and other building-related Companies put about a £1 million per annum into the BCC to ensuring that young people can acquire key building skills.

118. So what’s it all about?

I sent the link to a good friend in Slovakia. She replied that it seemed to be a year of eating and
drinking. It can look that way but there is a motive. The 110 Livery Companies donate something like £40 million for charitable purposes each year. Most of the activities described in the Blog are paid for by the Master and Company Members and, in addition, they are expected to make a donation to the event’s charity.

Our own charity, The Water Conservation Trust, will donate over £80,000 this year, mostly on our own educational programmes: bursaries for Masters students and education work with schools. In addition, some £5,000 is spent on various schemes with other Livery Companies and the Lord Mayor’s Charity - which, this year supports Type 1 diabetes research and the Sea Cadet Movement.

The difference is often one of scale. Some years back we bought the Maidstone Sea Cadets a replacement boat. The Master of the day was able to get further funding for a trailer. We have recently promised part-funding for a replacement mooring, for which they have to raise about £25,000. By contrast, the Lord Mayor’s Charity should be able to fund a training ship for the Sea Cadets.

We also support the Hackney Carriage Drivers with their annual trip to Disneyland Paris, a trip for terminally ill children and their carers in more than 100 London Taxis. We sponsor a taxi (below right) and join the other sponsors and well-wishers for a dawn send-off. Other beneficiaries from collaborative ventures include ABF: The Soldiers’ Charity and Treloar College in Alton.

117. St Mary at Hill

St Mary-at-Hill, our Chaplain Rose’s church, celebrated the eve of St Botolph’s Day with a concert. St Botolph is the patron saint of travellers (and the various aspects of farming) and I needed his help later as Paddington Station was closed for several hours on 16 June. Anyway, the concert featured some Bardic pieces followed by some good 1930s songs and was part of the seemingly endless task of raising money for St Mary’s. Rose, of course, was busy elsewhere, as Chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons, following the sad death of Jo Cox MP.

116. Firefighters’ Master’s Reception

Although fire and water don’t mix, the Company is close to the Firefighters in many ways, for a start we have adjacent numbers in the Order of Precedence. Anyway, the Master Firefighter stands down on 1 July and wanted to say thank you to the people who had been good company and helpful during the year. The modern fire service, formed in the aftermath of the Great Fire of London means that the Company has commemorative events planned around the 2/3 September. Murray Craig responded for the guests and I added my personal thanks to the Master Firefighter and his colleagues.

115. Livery Weekend in Ironbridge 10-12 June

Ironbridge is where the industrial revolution began.
For 33 years, Livery Masters, Prime Wardens, Upper Bailiff and Sheriffs have invited to spend a weekend touring the ten industrial museums which are administered by the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust. Joined by the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress on Saturday, we visited four sites, including the famous bridge, before meeting at the President’s Summer Ball in the Engine Shop. The bridge was built by Abraham Darby III, who was given the Freedom of the City in 1775.

Such a busy week-end and a good social occasion where all Masters and Consorts meet, and then decide how to carry forward the friendships and in many cases working relations in the coming years to soften the post-Master blues. On Sunday morning Masters and Consorts met (separately) and set up 2016 year clubs, Phoenix for the Masters (after the great fire) and Firebirds for Consorts. Chairmen and committee members were elected

Right: Masters and Consorts, Hackney Carriage Drivers, Launderers and Water Conservators at the President’s Ball in the Enginuity Museum.

114. Livery Education Conference 9 June

About 50 Livery Companies were represented at the Livery Education Conference, together with a similar number of teachers. The objective was to better match Livery resources (cash and, importantly, people) with school needs. The focus was on preparing students for the workforce. This included curriculum and careers guidance, work placements, and stressing the appropriateness of the Apprentice Scheme. The new booklet the Livery in Education – June 2016 was issued, and it is an important read for those interested in what Livery Companies do. The Actuaries and Educators facilitated the Conference but an important contribution came from the Information Technologists who have designed web-based matching software which would be trialled in the autumn.

113. The Big Curry Lunch – the results

One of the popular events during the year is the Lord Mayor’s Big Curry Lunch, which supports the Army Benevolent Fund (ABF: The Soldiers Charity). Earlier this year, two Wardens attended the Lunch and we held a collection after our Election Court Luncheon to allow them to take something with them.

On 8 June there was a reception to announce that over £217,000 had been raised this year - a record. The Lunch Chairman, Michael Hockney, thanked the Lord Mayor for the City’s efforts. In its publicity, the ABF have this splendid illustration from 2015, worth recording because it features the (present) Deputy Master and the Master Elect, alas, on the Billy no-mates table.

112. RAF Affiliation No.1 AIDU

Most Livery Companies have RAF affiliations. Ours is with the No.1 Aeronautical Information Documents Unit at RAF Northolt. A good proportion of the World’s aircraft documentation is produced here, in paper and electronic format. Wing Commander Roger Flynn and his team hosted Conservators on 3 June and gave an impressive illustration of the collection, use and distribution of aeronautical information to make flying safer.

We then left for the Battle of Britain Bunker at Uxbridge, the home of Fighter Command’s No.11 Group from 1939 to 1958, where the actions of hurricanes and spitfires from seven RAF stations in the South-East were coordinated during the Battle. The control room is set for 15 September 1940. Worth a visit on an Open Day, lots of steps though.

111. Reminiscences of 1915, the Somme and Verdun

The City of London Corporation has a special outdoor exhibition: Fields of Battle – Lands of Peace and Prof. Gary Sheffield, in a related lecture, described the immediate aftermath of the Somme in WWI and the way we regard it now (Lonsdale Cemetery right). The battle, like many of the period, continued for months and was not decisive. It contrasted markedly from battles fought in the nineteen century and earlier. Even the ground fought over was not strategically important. He did dispel a number of myths about the purpose of and leadership in the battle.

110. The Master’s Luncheon

It is customary for the Master to arrange a function to thank Wardens, Officers, Past Masters, Court Assistants and partners for their help during his year. On 31 May, we met at the Dyers’ Hall and, after a look around the public areas, enjoyed an excellent luncheon. After a word of thanks for my year from the Father of the Company, I thanked all the people who had helped me, including many not present. The Dyers’ Hall is smaller than the Halls we use we rarely get a chance to visit this attractive venue.

109. Beating the Retreat

Raising money for the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity, the massed bands of HM Royal Marines (about 250 musicians and another 80 Colour escorts) entertained us on Horseguards Parade on 25 June. After some remarkable manoeuvres (while playing) it all came together for the Beating Retreat. Beating Retreat is traced back to manuals written in 1554, where it is called ‘Watch Setting’. Admiral Sir Phillip Jones, First Sea Lord, took the Salute.

108. Buckingham Palace

A boring picture (?) for a Garden Party because photography is forbidden at the Palace. Although, looking around, you wouldn’t think so. Anyway, here are the Master Hackney Carriage Driver, Launderer and me, more or less properly dressed for the event. The dress code is more relaxed these days so Livery Masters (I suppose 20 of us) stood out. Some even wore the correct (City) black waistcoat. The weather was good on 24 May and the Royal Party, including the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, spent time talking to many of their guests – but not us (of course).

107. The Chartered Architects Milo Lecture 23 May

I thought that plonking skyscrapers around the City of London was one of those random events you find in any planning system. But no! Thanks to the Chartered Architects’ Company’s Milo Lecture, I now understand that City towers are planned. At their heart there are sightlines to the dome of St Paul’s (right) – one, some 17 kilometres away. These sightlines leave segments in between, which is where towers cluster – by design. Two other important features associated with planning permission for towers are visitor access to the roof and the creation of public space at street level by raising the building off the ground. Interesting, and many thanks to the Master Chartered Architect

106. Ceremony of the Keys

The locking up of the Tower of London has taken place every night for the last 700 years. On 18 May a large party of Water Conservators and their guests were received by Yeoman Warder Colin Smith (right) who conducted us around the Tower, pointing out many features of historical interest. Then, after supper, he explained the background to and procedures for the Ceremony of the Keys.

Her Majesty’s ‘Palace and Fortress’ at the Tower is really a large village with the usual facilities: village green, church, execution place (!), but, it closes at 22.00 each night with the locking of the gates. The Yeoman Guard with the Keys is protected by armed escort, this time drawn from the Coldstream Guards. The escort is challenged (loudly) at the gate to the inner court and is allowed to pass with Queen Elizabeth’s Keys to lock the main gate. Thanks go to Colin and his colleagues at the Tower of London Club.

105. The Water Conservation Trust

The Trust met on 17 May and agreed to evaluate its Bursary Programme for MSc students in our subjects at a special event on 19 September. The last event of this sort was in 2013 when five students set out what they were doing and why the Bursary for fees had made a difference to them and to us as Water Conservators. Pictured right from 2013 is speaker Caroline Hepburn, then Sheffield University and, in the background, Master of Wadham, Lord Macdonald, and
Master Ivor Richards

104. The Launderers’ Ladies’ Banquet

We have close working relations with the Launderers’ Company and its Master and Lady, and meeting them is like a reunion. The Launderers’ Company is a member of the WET 10. On 13 May they held their Ladies’ Banquet at Drapers’ Hall and Georgina and I were invited. It was a super evening, people didn’t want to leave. There was the usual struggle with the Loving Cup and the sung Grace, but we were made very welcome by the Senior Warden.

The Master Engineer responded for the guests, dwelling on her experiences as a leading mechanical engineer and somebody very interested in metrology. Entertainment included ‘Songs from the Shows’ which was well received. Our thanks go to the Master and his Lady for the invitation.

103. Red Cross Flag Day at Mansion House

The City has always been supportive of the Red Cross and the Livery Companies lend a hand during Red Cross week; Thus, on 13 May together with colleagues from the Educators, Basket Makers, Framework Knitters, we spent a long lunchtime collecting on the approach to London Bridge. We provided a ‘presence’ for the Red Cross, collected some money, but were reminded that, these days, putting your hand in your pocket means pulling out your
mobile phone!

102. The Royal Choral Society 12 May

City Livery Companies were well represented at the evening of music held at Central Hall, Westminster, to mark the 80th birthday of its President, HRH The Duke of Kent. Conducted by Richard Cooke and accompanied by the English Chamber Orchestra, the programme included works by Haydn, Schubert, Gounod and Tippett.

101. Professor Carolyn Roberts

Concluding her lecture series on Britain’s Troubled Waters for Gresham College on 12 May, Carolyn reviewed the adequacy of our planning law and administration to deal with projects such as the Old Oak Common development in London, assessing its impact on the water environment and how it might be accommodated. Inevitably, this led to a discussion about the strength of environmental protection legislation and where it came from.

Many credit the EU for leading the way, many people accepting that by implementing the various directives, the UK moved away from sobriquets such as ‘the dirty man of Europe’ prevalent in the 1980s. Amongst professionals, the EU platform had achieved a great deal, although most agree that it is not efficient in delivering the changes. Returning to whether environmental concerns had been quantified in decision making, the answer was negative. One view was that if you couldn’t cost the issue (for example, the elimination of a species) it was worth anything. However, new ways of thinking were being developed, such as through a Natural Capital Committee, which may ensure that nature is dealt with in line with the majority of citizens’ wishes.

100. The 362nd Festival of the Sons and Friends of the Clergy

The origin of the Sons and Friends of the Clergy goes back to 1655, difficult times for destitute clergy under Oliver Cromwell. Nowadays, the charity is widely supported and holds an annual Service/ Festival at St Paul’s Cathedral, this year, on 10 May. The Lord Mayor, Sheriffs and some 80 Livery Companies were present.

The Sermon was given by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, drawn from readings from Deuteronomy and 1 John, which set out the care God has taken to ensure His people are looked after.

99. St. Magnus the Martyr – Ascension Day

Being Ascension Day, I was invited to St Magnus the Martyr for Choral Eucharist. The Church was built where people crossing the old London Bridge used to enter the City. The church was one of the first buildings to be destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666 as St Magnus stood less than 300 yards from the bakery of Thomas Farriner in Pudding Lane, where the fire started. Farriner, a churchwarden of St Magnus, was buried in the Church in December 1670. Michael Cooper (right), speaker at our Election Court Luncheon, is a Churchwarden and also Past Master of the Worshipful Company of Parish Clerks, who attend the service. The Sermon was delivered by the Bishop of Fulham, following which we processed to the Vintners’ Hall for Dinner, celebrating the Day itself, and the election of the incoming Master and Wardens.

98. The 100+ Companies’ Luncheon

Every year Livery Companies’ Masters and Clerks numbering 101 and onwards meet over lunch, taking it in turns to host the event. This year, the Master World Trader, Wendy Hyde, welcomed us to the Information Technologists’ Hall on 5 May. Most of the Masters (by this time) know each other very well so it was an occasion to exchange notes. Wendy talked about her recent visits to livery companies in Switzerland and the almost total absence of female members, let alone women Masters!

I was invited to respond for the Guests, explaining something of our history, and why we number 102 when water sellers were common in the middle ages. Other Companies, for example, the Hackney Carriage Drivers, also go back a long way. On behalf of the guests I thanked the World Traders and their Master for their hospitality and good company.

It being Ascension Day, Wendy had to shoot off to ‘beat the bounds’ for her Parish, which involved a boat trip because the boundary went half-way across the Thames!

The Worshipful Company of Information Technologist (100) are unusual in group of recent Companies in that they have their own Hall near the Barbican, following a gift by Dame Stephanie Shirley.

97. Trial of the Pyx

The Trial of the Pyx is an examination by a jury of the specification of coins made by the Royal Mint. The earliest recorded date for the trial is 1248 but, certainly, the checking of the fineness of silver and gold currency has been going on since ancient times. The 2016 Trial was presided over by the Queen’s Remembrancer and carried out under a Direction issued by the Treasury. The jury consists of Liverymen of the Goldsmiths’ Company. After a series of tests the jury returned a verdict of compliance on 29 April.

Being a Court, photography was forbidden, but this was followed by a fine Luncheon in the Hall, decorated by some of the Goldsmith’s Plate: the mirrored plateau (above) and the Buffet Plate. We were welcomed by the Prime Warden, and The Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Rt. Hon George Osborne MP responded. Thanks to the Prime Warden of the Goldsmiths’ for being able to witness such an historic event.

96. Wadham annual lunch

The Water Conservation Trust has supported Wadham College students on Oxford University’s MSc course: Water Science, Policy and Management for a long time. We meet each year: Trustees, Wadham College staff, including the Master, Lord Macdonald QC, and our 2015-16 Scholar, Anna Robotham, seen here with Lord Macdonald and me on 28 April. Anna has just been awarded a ‘full Blue’ for rowing for the lightweight women. Wadham are appreciative of our relationship and, through Liveryman David Johnstone, we are kept up to date.

95. Obesity at Brunel University 27 April

The Company has supported the Environment, Health and Societies Research Institute at Brunel for a decade – offering post-graduate bursaries and co-sponsoring lectures. Its Director, Professor Susan Jobling spoke at our Michaelmas Luncheon. The event was – The Big Question – What is really to blame for the obesity epidemic. The Panel Profs. Sir Stephen Bloom, Gerard Hastings, Juliette Legler BS Jonathan Secki’s contributions were moderated by BBC News’ Helen Briggs.

Arguments included: that evolution was to blame – we had not had time to adapt to our 21 Century life style, exacerbated by the marketing of fatty, sugary and salty products to children; endocrine disrupting chemicals put by us into the environment had contributed to our failure to stop eating at the right time, and other factors, such as low birth weight, was linked to childhood obesity. Managing eating was very difficult and exercise only partly compensated for the body’s determination to consume. A good lecture and worrying outcome.

94. Cwmni Anrhydeddus Lifrai Cymru

In May 2013, the Welsh Livery Guild was granted a Royal Charter, to be recognised as the Worshipful Livery Company of Wales. This year they organised a London Away Weekend and invited London Livery Company Masters and Consorts to their Livery Company Dinner aboard HQS Wellington on 22 April. I was a guest of our Past Master Ivor. The speaker was Alderman Andrew Parmley who welcomed their generosity of spirit to celebrate St George’s Day with us! My thanks go to the Livery Company and to Ivor for a great evening. But, we were caught on camera improperly dressed. Two naughty boys wearing their teardrops, facing a reprimand from the Clerk!

93. The Fuellers Election Court Luncheon

Time flies! It doesn’t seem long since I attended John Ingham’s installation as Master of the Fuellers’ Company and here we are welcoming his successors. He probably feels the same having just attended our Election Court Luncheon the day before. The Luncheon was special, being held at Mansion House, and attended by the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress, and Sheriff Charles Bowman, together with about 170 diners.

Senior Warden (Master Elect) Jan Harrison proposed the toast to the guests and the Lord Mayor responded – actually, he spoke first because of pressing engagements elsewhere. John Ingham responded outlining the Election Court events and welcoming new Freemen and Liverymen. Many thanks to the Master and Fueller’s Company for their kind invitation to our Clerk and myself.

92. Election Court and Luncheon

Our Election Court was held on 21 April and the team for 2016-17 was elected. Master Elect is Keith Tozzi, seen here in our Cutter, Thames Warden, Mike Williamson, master of fancy dress at the inter-livery pancake races, Fleet Warden, Richard Waller and Walbrook Warden, Mark Lane. A strong team to take us through next year’s exciting events, starting with Keith’s Installation and Dinner at the Painted Hall, Greenwich. We also welcomed five Freemen and three Liverymen.

The guest speaker was Michael Cooper, a senior accountant responsible for coordinating the financial management of CAP expenditure. He is the Immediate Past Master of the Worshipful Company of Parish Clerks and is the parish clerk of St Magnus the Martyr. He noted that the connections between the parish clerks and water go back 800 years, and in the middle ages, the parish clerk was known as the ‘water bearer’. Michael described his job, and his Defra inheritance – a pair of wellingtons. But the job carries crucial obligations which affect our Company, particularly care for the environment.

Thanking Michael for his speech and insight into our history, I reviewed the last three months and looked forward to another City Go Kart Grand Prix in June and a Bursary event in September. Talking of which, it gave me great pleasure to present engraved water jugs to Best Dissertation prize-winners: Irem Unay from Brunel and Vinicius Delboni from Queen Mary. These awards are managed by The Water Conservation Trust, the Company’s charity.  

Concluding the event, we held a retiring collection for the Army Benevolent Fund (ABF). Successive Lord Mayors have raised over £1.4m for the ABF since 2008, with this money being used to support soldiers and veterans. Our army affiliate is the Royal Engineers, who build infrastructure - most recently hospitals in Sierra Leone for people contracting the Ebola virus. The collection adds to the cheque presented earlier in the month at the Lord Mayor’s Big Curry Lunch attended by Prince Harry and two of our Wardens.