Thursday 4 July 2013
The final day
This our last entry .Yesterday , 3rd July ,was the Installation Court in which I handed over to Ivor Richards Strictly speaking it should stop at 11 am the Installation Ceremony, but I will take a small amount of licence and run to the end of the day .
The first thing to mention is the serious stroke of Court Assistant Nick Reeves a week last Tuesday and we all pray for Janet and her family as they wait for Nick to start recovering .I have written to Janet on behalf of the Company.
I was very pleased to get the first full Company Manual accepted by the Court whilst accepting that more work needs doing on it .
Wow - where did the year go ?. It has been one of ups and downs, but the ups have been fantastic and unforgettable .Lis and I really appreciate the confidence you placed in us and we hope that we repaid it in full and that we have used the opportunity wisely .We have been to many places and done many things outside , but I was determined to involve and engage with as many members as possible and in reviewing the papers for the year we have had a really good success rate .The establishment of the FMGP Network with clear projects and objectives seems to have worked, with some outputs such as the Manual and book pretty much achieved as we set out . Some projects have not gone so well for good reasons that we understand and examples include full re-engagement with the water sector and a revision of the Management Plan , but these projects will continue under the next Master .Even in the water sector we have made good progress with the successes of WET 10 , the engagement with the City of London Energy and Sustainability Committee and the Reform Club Dinner . The social aspect of our calendar has been wonderful with visits to many places - thank you to the organizers. But none of this could have been achieved without the full participation, indeed leadership, of many members of the Company - the list is long and I will not list them out for fear of omitting some -one but we all know who has contributed what .I really appreciate the help you have given me. .I could not have managed without the help of the Wardens and of course our Clerk organised the lunches and banquet well .Thank you all .I will gifting a vestigial hood to go with the robes but it is a slow process having it made .
I was very happy to see Ivor installed and we wish him well in his year.His first event was the WCT evening at Pinsent Mason showing the value of our student bursaries .Lis and I attended as well along with some eighty other people . The presentations were excellent .Thank you to Pinsent Mason for sponsoring the evening.
So this is it folks . I only intended to keep a blog so that you could see what we did during our year ... we hope that you found it useful .
Tuesday 25 June 2013
Monday 24th June. Our last public events .
I attended the Election of Sheriffs at Guildhall . A very colourful affair and made one proud to be associated with the City .We all knew what to shout out at the right moment . Ivor Richards and Roger North attended as well .Once more the clear message coming from the elected Sheriffs, Sir Paul Judge and Adrian Waddingham, was that the City flourishes by combining innovation and tradition.
I will have a chance to say something at our Court meeting on the 3rd July , which will be in my final blog. But Lis would like to finish her contribution by saying a few words .
On Monday I went to a most enjoyable Masters' Ladies Lunch in Saddlers' Hall . There were 9 Mistresses including Liz Farmer , Mistress of the Saddlers . The meal was excellent and we chatted 19 to the dozen about our visit to Ironbridge and all the other exciting events which we have attended. Everyone agreed that being a Mistress is a wonderful experience and privilege . Thank you for the opportunity.
I attended the Election of Sheriffs at Guildhall . A very colourful affair and made one proud to be associated with the City .We all knew what to shout out at the right moment . Ivor Richards and Roger North attended as well .Once more the clear message coming from the elected Sheriffs, Sir Paul Judge and Adrian Waddingham, was that the City flourishes by combining innovation and tradition.
I will have a chance to say something at our Court meeting on the 3rd July , which will be in my final blog. But Lis would like to finish her contribution by saying a few words .
On Monday I went to a most enjoyable Masters' Ladies Lunch in Saddlers' Hall . There were 9 Mistresses including Liz Farmer , Mistress of the Saddlers . The meal was excellent and we chatted 19 to the dozen about our visit to Ironbridge and all the other exciting events which we have attended. Everyone agreed that being a Mistress is a wonderful experience and privilege . Thank you for the opportunity.
Sunday 23 June 2013
Almost at the end .Friday 21st June
Today was the WC Company of Firefighters lunch reception at the London Fire Brigade Museum in Borough . This included a guided tour of the Museum which was really interesting and it confirmed in our minds that the early firefighters were heroes and really went beyond the call of duty . The Masters present enjoyed the hospitality and company. The Master and I have become friends and we look forward to working together on projects in the future .
Today was the WC Company of Firefighters lunch reception at the London Fire Brigade Museum in Borough . This included a guided tour of the Museum which was really interesting and it confirmed in our minds that the early firefighters were heroes and really went beyond the call of duty . The Masters present enjoyed the hospitality and company. The Master and I have become friends and we look forward to working together on projects in the future .
Thursday 20 June 2013
Monday 17 June
A lovely evening's rowing and success once more with our Ladies' Team
It was the Thames Traditional Rowing Association Admiral of the Port Challenge .Our ladies in our cutter, the Forget Me Not, won handsomely again. The rose bowl trophy is still missing, but a silver platter will replace it and this , and other trophies, were presented by Sheriff Nigel Pullman .Lis and I went with Court Assistant Nick Reeves and his wife Janet .Janet and I were the passengers in the cutter ,;Lis and Nick followed in the Cory boat by kind permission of Johnny Dwan our Bargemaster - and thanks to Johnny for training the team and organizing our entry.
A lovely evening's rowing and success once more with our Ladies' Team
It was the Thames Traditional Rowing Association Admiral of the Port Challenge .Our ladies in our cutter, the Forget Me Not, won handsomely again. The rose bowl trophy is still missing, but a silver platter will replace it and this , and other trophies, were presented by Sheriff Nigel Pullman .Lis and I went with Court Assistant Nick Reeves and his wife Janet .Janet and I were the passengers in the cutter ,;Lis and Nick followed in the Cory boat by kind permission of Johnny Dwan our Bargemaster - and thanks to Johnny for training the team and organizing our entry.
Saturday 15 June 2013
A Shard visit - thanks to Trevor and Annette Harrington on June 11
After glorious weather - it just had to be misty and wet when we went up the Tower . But the company and view more than made up for the weather . Lis and I and over 30 others had wonderful time at the Shard and at a meal afterwards.Thank you Trevor and Annette
After glorious weather - it just had to be misty and wet when we went up the Tower . But the company and view more than made up for the weather . Lis and I and over 30 others had wonderful time at the Shard and at a meal afterwards.Thank you Trevor and Annette
Tuesday 11 June 2013
Weekend of June 7-9th Ironbridge
A glorious weekend in many ways .The sun shone , the people were fun and the Museums were really interesting . Ironbridge Gorge is the heart of the Industrial Revolution -it is a World Heritage Site and there are 10 museums manged by a Trust .The area is fascinating because the original building nestle in a wooed landscape giving the whole place a rural atmosphere . Nature and Man have learned to live together .
The Livery Companies started supporting the Trust thirty years ago and the Trust has a London Committee from the Livery . The tradition now is that there is a Livery weekend in June every year . This is attended mostly by Masters and Partners and by the Lord Mayor and Partner - this year Roger Gifford and his wife Claire, and by the Sheriffs and Partners . Lis and I and our companions were treated royally with a Dinner on Friday , a Ball on Saturday and full visit programmes on Saturday and on Sunday morning .
It has become tradition that a Year Association is formed of the Lord Mayor , Sheriffs and Masters at this event and that is one way of keeping in touch with the many good friends that are made during the year .We decided to call ourselves the Great 13 .
I recommend going even as private individuals and most certainly as Masters of our Company , but you will come home exhausted - but happy .
A glorious weekend in many ways .The sun shone , the people were fun and the Museums were really interesting . Ironbridge Gorge is the heart of the Industrial Revolution -it is a World Heritage Site and there are 10 museums manged by a Trust .The area is fascinating because the original building nestle in a wooed landscape giving the whole place a rural atmosphere . Nature and Man have learned to live together .
The Livery Companies started supporting the Trust thirty years ago and the Trust has a London Committee from the Livery . The tradition now is that there is a Livery weekend in June every year . This is attended mostly by Masters and Partners and by the Lord Mayor and Partner - this year Roger Gifford and his wife Claire, and by the Sheriffs and Partners . Lis and I and our companions were treated royally with a Dinner on Friday , a Ball on Saturday and full visit programmes on Saturday and on Sunday morning .
It has become tradition that a Year Association is formed of the Lord Mayor , Sheriffs and Masters at this event and that is one way of keeping in touch with the many good friends that are made during the year .We decided to call ourselves the Great 13 .
I recommend going even as private individuals and most certainly as Masters of our Company , but you will come home exhausted - but happy .
Friday 7 June 2013
June 7th
After a lovely May Holiday break in Kos with the family .This week is busy . On Wednesday we had our FMGP meeting - we are making steady progress with the Company Manual . It was my last meeting as the committee chair - the year has gone so quickly . I wish Ivor well for the next meeting .
Yesterday Lis and I went to the Buckingham Palace Garden Party . It was a wonderful sunny day and a magic experience.One more use for the morning suit and Lis looked smashing ! We were not introduced to any Royals, but we were very close to the Queen and Prince Philip who had a particularly loud cheer . Little did we know that he was due to go into hospital .
Got to rush - now I am being chased to leave for Ironbridge
After a lovely May Holiday break in Kos with the family .This week is busy . On Wednesday we had our FMGP meeting - we are making steady progress with the Company Manual . It was my last meeting as the committee chair - the year has gone so quickly . I wish Ivor well for the next meeting .
Yesterday Lis and I went to the Buckingham Palace Garden Party . It was a wonderful sunny day and a magic experience.One more use for the morning suit and Lis looked smashing ! We were not introduced to any Royals, but we were very close to the Queen and Prince Philip who had a particularly loud cheer . Little did we know that he was due to go into hospital .
Got to rush - now I am being chased to leave for Ironbridge
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