The Master

I am writing this message on the weekend after the Annual Livery Banquet at Mansion House – and what a splendid, friendly evening it turned out to be.

We had had a larger number of applicants for the occasion than at any time in the last five years, but I was fearful that we would have a large number of “no shows” on the night, simply because of the snowy weather conditions which had taken hold a few days beforehand. An added problem was that traffic around the Mansion House was snarled up because of the fire earlier in the day at the College of Arms.  By all accounts those who made the effort to come thoroughly enjoyed themselves and were bowled over by the stunning performance of our principal guest, Sir Rupert Jackson, who spoke without notes for fifteen minutes plus in a highly entertaining way.

The Wardens and I were able to show off our new Livery gowns at the Annual Livery Banquet. The previous ones had served the Company well for twenty-five years but were showing signs of wear and really suffered in the rain during the Lord Mayor’s Show last November. The new gowns are made of similar material to the old ones, with a striking red stripe to distinguish them. Red features strongly in the Company’s coat of arms – it is, of course, the colour of the City – and its introduction was strongly favoured by members of the Court. The old gowns will remain available for use on “wet weather” occasions.

I hope that the bad weather which has been encountered on two of the big  Company occasions this year will not feature when the Senior Warden and I go for a couple of days to sea with H M S Mersey  at the end of May!  The only time when I have ever felt seasick was in the Bay of Biscay – and guess where Al Wilson, the Commanding Officer, may be taking us!  We have tabled a memorandum of understanding between the Company and H M S Mersey and this is being considered at the present time by the Commanding Officer, who has very kindly invited Jenny and me to join him and the past Commanding Officers for dinner on board ship in Portsmouth at the beginning of May. Unfortunately, Al Wilson leaves the ship this summer –Commanding Officers tend to move on after 18/24 months. He has made his mark with those of us who have met him.

I have received many invitations to attend events organised by other Livery Companies - dinners, lectures, concerts, exhibitions and church services all feature. Jenny and I have also received invitations to the Annual Bridewell Service of St King Edward’s School, Witley, the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and Bart’s. I have been invited to lunch with the judges at the Old Bailey. What has been particularly striking has been the friendliness shown to us as we represent the Company.

The Junior Warden has written elsewhere in this newsletter about the Lord Mayor’s Financial Literacy Initiative campaign. I do hope that members of the Company will be able to support this. I shall be attending a lunch in March to gain a greater understanding of how we might do so. We are told that no particular experience is necessary, just a lot of enthusiasm! If you are unable to assist, then perhaps you know someone who might be interested in doing so. If so, please contact Kay Linnell.

I hope, too, that you will support the Lord Mayor’s chosen charities this year – the St John Ambulance and the Lord’s Taverners.  Both involve heavily people under the age of 24 and are thoroughly good causes.

Liveryman John Tackaberry QC spoke at the Court Lunch at the end of January on the subject of construction arbitration. He was (as one would expect) both informative and entertaining. A copy of his talk is to be found on the website. As I write, we look forward to the Master’s Lecture on 12 March 2009 which is to be given by Professor Phillip Capper, a solicitor, international arbitrator, Nash Professor of Engineering Law at King’s College and  another highly regarded speaker

Events this year have been well supported and I hope that continues to be the case. We have a wide-ranging programme which includes the Spring Livery Lunch on Friday 3 April, a family day at Chatham on Sunday, 19 April, an Italian Supper evening (involving a demonstration of Italian cooking and singing) at a well-regarded restaurant in the City on Thursday 14 May and a visit to the Tower of London (culminating in attendance at the Ceremony of the Keys) on Thursday 18 June. In addition we have another  charity concert at St May-le-Bow Church  on 2 June 2009 which I am sure will be just as uplifting as the one which we had last summer. Please put these dates in your diary now! Please also let me know if you are interested in coming to Berlin on the Livery Weekend (2-4 October) as soon as you can.

I take this opportunity to wish you and your families well.

John Rushton
Master