54. The City New Year Service

The first formal get-together in the New Year is the invitation to join the Drapers’ Company for the City New Year Service at St Michael’s Cornhill. This attractive church (right, before the service) has been a centre of Christianity for over 1000 years - the Drapers’ Company have been Patrons for 513 years! Rector Stephen Platten welcomed several hundred worshipers; Readings were given by Mark Carney, Governor of the Bank of England, and Dame Fiona Woolf, and the Sermon by Barry Morgan, Archbishop of Wales. A good way to start the New Year; and thanks go to the Master Draper for his hospitality.

53. New Year’s Honours

The Company and I congratulate Professor Peter Matthews, Chair, Natural Resources Wales, on his appointment as Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire: for Services to Environmental Management.  Peter was Master Water Conservator in 2012-13 and has had a long and distinguished career in the water industry. I got to know him well in the 1980s when, working for Anglian Water, he was the industry’s sewage sludge and general waste water expert. Our paths have crossed, on and off, ever since.

Former Lord Mayor, Alan Yarrow, has received a knighthood for services to international business, inclusion and the City of London.  His Mayoral Year, which finished last November, was never dull, and, at times, quite demanding – for example, the two hour Go Kart race in July. His other achievement in which the Livery played a major part was raising funds for his Charity Appeal. He is shown here raising a glass of Thames Water’s best on the anniversary of sale of the conservancy of the River Thames to the Corporation of London.

52. Back in the…

… harness, or do I mean saddle?
A Happy and Prosperous 2016!

Appearing here with Mrs Master in Valletta’s Grand Harbour; we celebrated the New Year without the benefit of snow, frost, rain, etc. It didn’t seem right for New Year’s Eve but it was a nice change.

51. Christmas 2015

A Merry Christmas to everyone.

This is a picture of my back garden last winter, with the trees taking time off, our feathery friends in the green bird box and other visitors – badgers and foxes - keeping warm and well out of sight. The squirrels never give up!

Next external event is on 8 January for the New Year Service at St Michael Cornhill, joining other Livery Companies associated with the Church. We return there on 1 February for the re-dedication of the Company Cross, before proceeding to the Drapers’ Hall for our Myddelton Lunch.

50. Christmas Court at the Guildhall

Early livery companies were formed as Mysteries and later as Guilds. Mystery Plays have their origins in the livery movement with trades taking responsibility for the depiction of an aspect of scriptural history. That is a long introduction to the point that there are no mysteries about the Company’s management. The Court (right) meets regularly throughout the year and is responsible for the well being of the Company. The Master presides.

49. Carols by Candlelight 15 December

Carols by Candlelight at St Mary at Hill has been the traditional way for the Company and the Billingsgate Ward to prepare for Christmas. Led by our Chaplain, the Revd Prebendary Rose Hudson-Wilkin, the service included seven readings and a Christmas Address, interspaced with carols and seasonal offerings from the choir. The Company was represented by a number of Members and spouses, including the Thames Warden (left, with Rose).

48. The Launderers’ Annual Carol Service

A Service of Lessons and Carols for Christmas, organised by the Launderers’ Company was held in Southwark Cathedral on 7 December. Carefully arranged so that it included carols and readings familiar to everybody, the service was led by the Dean, The Very Reverend Andrew Nunn, who is also Honorary Champlain to the Company. Lessons were read by Senior Past Master, Neville Wells (see right), myself, the Deputy Master, the Master Glass Seller and Master Paul Higgs.

Following the service, Georgina and I were invited to Supper with the Launderers’ Company in their Hall. For dessert, whilst we enjoyed ice cream, Paul was presented with a traditional Christmas Pudding as a treat. 

Our thanks go to Paul and Sheila, and the Launderers’ Company for a very good evening, and particularly to Neville, our guardian during the service and supper.