Master's Musings
Once installation is over the role of Master, representing the Company at City and livery events takes off quickly. As well as our own events, reported in this Newsletter, I have been busy – here’s an “in brief” overview:
I attended RAF Northolt (RAF 600 Squadron) for the Sundown Ceremony to which the Sun at the appropriate time did exactly that on cue. Then at Greenwich Naval College, for the Sea Cadets Trafalgar Day Parade. A very impressive event and great to see the Cadets of all ages out Parading and trying their very best.
Early November means St Pauls for the Garden of Remembrance accompanied by Sarah as Consort, the annual Poppy Garden laying with the other City Livery Companies and Guilds followed by the Thanksgiving Service for the lord Mayor at St Mary-le-Bows Church.
One “must do” for a Master is the “Silent Ceremony,” at Guildhall for the installation of Alderman Allister King DL as our 686th Lord Mayor, in November.
This was quickly followed – Lord Mayor’s Parade – with other members of the Company and family we joined the Sea Cadets for our annual stroll and wave around the City. The weather was fair, and everything ran smoothly.
Then back to St Paul's Cathedral for Service of Remembrance. Sarah as Consort and I attended the annual service, followed by the wreath laying at the Exchange and military parade at the Mansion House.
Past Master Steve Cant had warned me to “expect the unexpected” as Master. I had an early reminder of this in November 2024 when Breakfast with the Archbishop of Canterbury was abruptly cancelled - due his resignation!
Then to the Lord Mayor’s briefing to the Livery at Mansion House. This is the annual launch pad for the Lord Mayor to the livery movement. This year was also used to launch the report into Philanthropic giving, and it was great to see the Company being showcased here with the support and input of our Dr Bob Harris.
My consort Sarah and I attended the Pollinating London Together (PLT) craft event at Holy Sepulchre Church, Holborn Viaduct, London. This was an opportunity to get to know more about this group and how the Company can support this cause. I’m pleased to report that we are fully signed up to PLT.
Looking ahead I will be attending the Greenwich Royal Naval College, for the Sea Cadets’ Christmas Carol Concert.
Christmas Message from the Master
As we approach the Festive period, let us all take time to reflect on the year past - what we have been able to achieve and to give thanks for those around us and those who support us, be it friends, family, Livery colleagues or other groups we are involved in and our faith.
Let us be thankful for all that we have, our freedoms, our food and our health.
Then let us look to what we could do more of or better in the year to come. How we could be a better consultant, help others more, lead by example, what do we need to become to achieve these goals? Then, after a time to celebrate and recharge our batteries, let us all enter 2025 with new vigour to be better than we were in 2024.
Have a wonderful Festive time and a very Happy New Year.
New Master's Reception
There was a good turnout at the New Master’s Reception on 13th November, at the Worshipful Company of Information Technologists' Hall. The Reception was preceded by a brief admission ceremony. It was a pleasure to meet new Freeman Russell Powell, as well as several other interested prospective Members.
At the Reception we heard from Master Andy Miles and the Wardens. Andy provided more detail about his plans for the year ahead and some new events that are in the planning stages. Second Warden Collette Stone gave us an update on work with the strategy. “It’s all about starting the right conversations “she said, ….”and asking the right questions”. First Warden Malcolm McCaig updated us about developments with the Education Committee, where Court Assistant Nick Bush will be taking over as Chair.
The plan was to have some individual tables or stands where Members and guests could discuss specific topics such as Pro Bono work or the Education Committee but frankly, once the wine and the food started to flow, that plan did not quite take off. It didn't matter because everybody enjoyed some good networking, wines from the Company cellar and plenty of grub from M&S. Well done to everybody involved in planning this enjoyable event.
Wine Appreciation
Past Master Patrick Chapman reports:
"Tuesday 26th November saw a very successful In Person Wine Tasting linked to the WCoMC’s Wine Club’s Wine Appreciation Course!!. Some 50 Members and guests got together at the Worshipful Company of Carmen's Hall, to taste 11 wines in total, comparing and contrasting wines with different levels of alcohol, different ages, different levels of fruit and acidity and so forth. The evening was clearly a success as no wine was left and everyone became deeply engaged in conversation.... Fellowship in action with a distinctly Christmassy feel. Many thanks to the evening's hosts for their efforts.
The second wine tasting, will take place in January, and is open for booking via the WCoMC website. At that we will be focusing on Styles (ie what the winemaker was aiming to create) and Terroir (ie the vineyard location and climate). We will again have 10 or 11 wines to taste and, with a little guidance from the evening's hosts the wines will be the hub for more enjoyable fellowship. Come and join us!"
Company Christmas Lunch
We were once again hosted by the Ironmongers' Company at our 2024 Christmas Lunch. Our party of two dozen included members old and new, from Past Masters to new Freemen, from near and far and several family guests. Located in the magnificent Ironmongers Livery Hall, we were accompanied by the Firefighters and by the Joiners & Ceilers on adjacent tables. Everybody was relieved that we weren’t required to sing Christmas carols, and the buzz of conversation precluded any speeches. We enjoyed pleasant wine and good food – with a special mention of the crème brûlée Christmas pudding.
Near and Far: (Ed: Bob Harris travelled 50 metres from his flat in the Barbican, whilst PM William Barnard travelled 10,000 miles from his home in Sydney).
City Impact
Court Assistant Karol Szlichcinski reports: "In this new, but recurring, regular feature we will focus on the activities of Company members in various City institutions, that might not otherwise get highlighted. This time we concentrate on some of our wider activities focussed on education:
Ron Cruickshank and Simon Davey represent the Company on the Livery Companies Skills Council (LCSC). Ron is LCSC Treasurer while Simon links the Company’s Education Committee to LCSC’s broader work and policy initiatives. The Council promotes excellence in skills, maintaining dialogue with policy makers, engaging in standards development and providing advice on training and career development. It met in late July and November 2024 to consider the Skills Policy Update in the context of the new government. It further considered the current progress (and future challenges) of T levels and implications of the 'forgotten third' of young people who are not accessing university, apprenticeships or other meaningful learning and development.
Simon also represents the Company with Livery Schools Link(LSL). Six Company volunteers staffed a WCoMC stall at the Livery Schools Showcase (secondary) at Guildhall in late February this year. Simon and the Education Committee are currently planning for the Company’s contribution to the 2025 event. For further information, please contact Simon Davey
Encounter In Poole Harbour
Past Master Edward Sankey reports going on Board the Sea Cadets’ Ships: “I sailed into Poole one evening in October. The Sea Cadets’ training ships TS Royalist and TS Jack Petchey were in the marina and we were directed to berth across the pontoon from Jack Petchey. It is a motor vessel and Royalist is a Tall Mast square rigger. In WCoMC’s constant support of the Sea Cadets, our Charitable Trust made an especially handsome donation for the necessary replacement of the previous Royalist. Our then Master Patrick Chapman and PM Alan Broomhead went to the Naming Ceremony.
Crews were getting evening instruction before supper, free time and turning in. One of the Officers on Jack Petchey gave me a greeting and we got talking. I mentioned that the Sea Cadets were our perennial beneficiary. My crewmates and I were invited aboard the ships the following day. I hoped there would be a Donors Plaque on Royalist.
We saw how the Cadets learn all manner of sea-faring skills, including familiarity with the engine and other equipment and doing simple maintenance. Instruction is given on navigation, weather forecasting, the “Highway Code” of the sea, etc. Each Cadet has a log book to record the modules they’ve passed.
On Royalist there was indeed a plaque listing the donors. Our Company’s name was on display. I confess I felt proud.
We were guided by one of the Cadets for whom it was his third time aboard and I spoke to a couple of others. They clearly were enjoying it – the adventure, learning nautical skills, their time together. They talked of building self-confidence, moving into leadership expertise.
The Officers provide full and well-structured days including time for the Cadets to relax. Enthusiasm was evident all around. The Cadets I spoke to clearly appreciated that spending time on these ships is an exceptional experience.”
And Finally ... Bagpipes!?
(Ed: that’s got to be a first!)
On 18th October, there were some strange noises coming from Mansion House. Our First Warden Malcolm McCaig visited the then Lord Mayor of the City of London, Aledrman Professor Michael Manielli. They took out their bagpipes and played a duet together. The tune they played was “The Lord Mayor’s Show”, a tune that Malcolm had composed for the occasion. They are both waiting anxiously to see if the recording will storm up the charts in time for Christmas.
A final comment from the former Lord Mayor:
“I was so excited to receive via email earlier this year a new march for the bagpipe composed by Malcolm McCaig. It’s a jaunty and fun-to-play tune which many pipers might enjoy and play in future Lord Mayor’s Shows! Malcolm came by Mansion House and we had a try together which you can see and hear here::
Though given us playing together unpractised is a bit much, perhaps better is to enjoy the composer performing his own piece”
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No room for "Get to Know...." this time....Thanks to all those who contributed stories and to you, gentle reader, for reading this far. All the best for the Christmas Season.
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News In Brief 
