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.