20. Presentation of Thames Water.

One of the most interesting events so far was a visit to Mansion House on 6 July to present the Lord Mayor with an inscribed jug containing a measure of Thames Water.

The purpose of the visit was to commemorate the 817th anniversary of the day, 14 July 1197, when King Richard I sold the conservancy of the River Thames to the Corporation of London for the sum of 1,500 marks – about £7-8 million in today’s money according to coin buffs – though manipulation of the silver content makes comparisons tricky. The Conservators team was (see right) Master and Clerk, Thames and Fleet Wardens).

We brought with us an engraved glass jug, filled with tap water courtesy of Thames Water, and an illuminated address to record the event. Supporting us was Alderman and Sheriff Andrew Parmley, an Honorary Liveryman of our Company, seen here with the Lord Mayor, Alan Yarrow, and the Master Water Conservator (me).

The mediaeval monarchs’ perennial shortage of cash to wage war in France and in the Holy Land put the sale of the river rights into context.

This historic event, the passing of the water, with the presentation of the jug and contents, and the illuminated address was followed by words of thanks from Alan Yarrow – and then by a sampling of the tap water.

Last year, Master Roger North presented a water jug to Lord Mayor Fiona Woolf. At a recent event she mentioned that the jug was well looked after and occupied a special place in her home.