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CLERK’S NOTES 23rd AUGUST 2010

In this edition –

· New Clerk.
· Common Hall for the Election of Lord Mayor 29 Sept &Post Election Lunch Painter’s Hall.
· Lord Mayor’s Show 13 Nov.
· Monday Lunches Ironmonger’s Hall
· Musician’s Company Evensong St Paul’s Cathedral 29 Sept.
The Goldsmiths Company Livery & Guild evening30 Sept.
Installation Dinner 13 Oct.
· Royalist Regatta 17 & 18 May 11.

New Clerk

As I’m sure most of you will have noticed the distinguished image of Tim Nicholson on the Web site has been replaced by a slightly younger model! I would just like to take this opportunity to say how happy I am to have been selected as your new Clerk. I have been grateful for the good wishes I have received and look forward to meeting as many of you as possible over the next few months, Kim Tyrrell.

Common Hall for the Election of Lord Mayor 29 Sept & Post Election Lunch Painter’s Hall.

The Lord Mayor is elected by the Court of Aldermen, each of whom represents a Ward of the City of London. All Liverymen are entitled to attend Common Hall at Guildhall to receive the announcement of the selected candidate, and also to vote on the candidates for other City of London appointments. You must be seated by 1130 am, but are advised to be early as it gets very crowded.

Only full Liverymen may attend, and all who wish to do so must be in possession of a pass, signed by me. Afterwards a lunch is arranged at Painters’ Hall, in company with several other Companies. Although liverymen who attend Common Hall will be given priority, the invitation is open to all members and guests. The cost is £51.00 per head.
There is no special booking form. Just let me know –
a. If you wish to attend the Election Common Hall
b. How many lunch places you want. And, of course, post me the cheque.

Lord Mayor’s Show, 13 Nov 10.

The new Lord Mayor formally takes over from his predecessor at what is known as the Silent Ceremony at Guildhall on the Friday before the second Saturday of the month of November. On the said second Saturday, he shows himself to the citizens of the City of London at a parade through the Square Mile, known as the Lord Mayor’s Parade.

His ornate, gold decorated horse drawn carriage, is the last in an enormous line of floats and displays. Fully robed, he spends most of the journey craning out of the window, now on one side, now the other, waving his hat at the half million or so people who come to line the streets and enjoy a splendid day out. More information from www.lordmayorsshow.org.

This year the Company has joined forces with the Chartered Institute of Building to produce a float. Around a central vehicle will march 25 Constructors and 25 members of CIOB (and the many members who are both will therefore have two chances to join the parade).

Constructors in the Modern Companies Float 2007.

Nearer the time I will be asking for volunteer marchers, with priority going to younger members and offering a chance for those who wish to watch to meet up, and go together for lunch

Monday Lunches at Ironmonger’s Hall

From Monday 20 September, and all Monday’s* thereafter, lunch will be available in Ironmongers’ Hall to members of all Livery Companies and their guests. You can enjoy pre-lunch drinks in the drawing room before making your way to your table. Lunch will be available between 12 midday and 2.00pm

Ironmongers’ Hall request that you make a reservation beforehand by contacting, Cristina Fantechi or Ed Bolling on 0207 776 2300, once the Ironmungers’ Hall website has been overhauled you will also be able to make a booking via www.ironhall.co.uk .

Please note that a two-course lunch will be £24.50 and a three-course lunch £28.50.

* Monday lunches will not be served on Bank Holidays or during August

MUSICIANS’ COMPANY EVENSONG - St Paul’s Cathedral Wednesday 29 September 2010

The Worshipful Company of Musicians are holding their Annual Evensong service at St. Paul’s Cathedral in memory of St Cecilia, the Patron Saint of Music.

This year the service will be held by kind permission of the Dean and Chapter on Wednesday, 29th September at 5.00pm The Master, Wardens and Court of Assistants have invited the Master, Wardens and Clerk to attend the Service and for the Master and Clerk to Robe and take part in the Procession, which will be seated in the Quire. Liverymen who would like to attend the Service will be most welcome, any Liveryman and partner who wish to attend should inform the Clerk by Friday 17 September.

Livery & Guild private view – Goldsmiths’ Fair Thursday 30 September 2010

The Goldsmiths Company fair is having a Livery and Guild private showing of their exhibition and sale of jewellery from 1830-2030 in Goldsmiths’ Hall. The cost is £12pp which includes wine, canapés and a Fair catalogue. Members and guests may attend, places are limited and should be booked direct via the promotion dept of Goldsmiths’ Hall 020 7367 5907 or Email Promotion@thegoldsmiths.co.uk

Installation Dinner 13 Oct.

The Court meets at Skinners’ Hall on 13 October to install into their new offices the Master, Wardens and other officers. The Ceremonies bring the new Master and Wardens before the Court one by one; with the Courtroom emptied of all but the pastmasters, honorary assistants and the Clerk, the outgoing Master places the badge of office upon his successor, and retires to the side of the Court whilst the new Master takes the Chair.

Summoned one by one by the Beadle and the Clerk, the new Wardens then stand before the Master to receive their badges of office. After that the Court Assistants appear in a body to pledge their support for the Master.

The Installation Dinner is an important day in the Company’s calendar; we launch a new Master and our programme of formal and informal events and activities.

Please note that booking forms will be sent out post the Installation Court 8 Sept.

Royalist Regatta 17 & 18 May 2011

To celebrate the fifteenth anniversary of holding the Royalist Regatta, the Sea Cadets are inviting entries for the above regatta. The Regatta will take place in the Solent area with racing and a dinner to be attended by HRH the Earl of Wessex on the evening of the 17th, venue yet to be confirmed but likely to be Portsmouth’s Historic Dockyard. Anyone interested, please contact me and I will forward the details.

CLERK`S NOTES 27th JULY 2010

In this edition –

· Common Hall, Church Service & Social 8 Sep.
· Installation Dinner 13 Oct.
· Annual Church Services
· College of Arms Visit 23 Sep
· Master’s Weekend 2010.
· Livery Halls Walk.
· Half marathon with CRASH.
· Inter Livery 10 pin Bowling.
· New Clerk

Common Hall and Social 8 September.

The Court will meet at Bakers’ Hall on Wed 8 September to finalise its nominations for Master, Wardens and other officers for the coming year. This will be followed by Common Hall, and then the deferred Annual Church Service at the Chapel in the Tower of London.

Common Hall is our Annual General Meeting. The purposes are –
a. To elect the Master, Wardens and other Officers for the coming year.
b. To receive the accounts of the last year.
c. To hear reports from the Master and other office holders, including the Chairman of the Charitable Trust.
d. To make comments and exchange ideas with members of the Court.

Common Hall will also take place at Bakers’ Hall, Harp Lane, London EC3R 6DP on Wed 8 September 2010 at 1700 hours, with tea available from 1630. All members of the Company are invited to attend, although only liverymen are voting members of the Company. There is no charge. If you have questions please submit them in advance although if time permits they may also be presented on the day. No non members may attend Common Hall. Harp Lane is tucked away on the west side of the junction of Great Tower Street and Lower Thames/Byward Streets.

After Common Hall at 1830 hours the Company’s Annual Service will be held at the Tower of London Chapel - St Lawrence Jewry is not available as the organ is being restored that week, and indeed our Honorary Chaplain David Parrott is away. This Service was held over whilst decisions were taken about how to celebrate our Royal Charter. We are a “worshipful” Company and whatever your religious views and beliefs you and your family, friends, colleagues and clients are welcome. We will enjoy a choral evensong with the Chapel’s excellent choir. After this an informal social will be organised in a convenient wine bar. Please use the attached form to book.

Installation Court and Dinner 13 October.

Summoned one by one by the Beadle and the Clerk, the new Wardens then stand before the Master to receive their badges of office. After that the Court Assistants appear in a body to pledge their support for the new Master.

That evening the new Master presides over the Installation Dinner which will also take place at Skinners’ Hall. Booking forms will be sent out in due course (bids may not be made in advance of that), but members should note that Skinners’ is not one of the largest halls and numbers of guests may have to be restricted. The Installation Dinner is an important event in the Company’s calendar; we launch a new Master and our cycle of formal and informal events and activities. Try to be there.

Annual Church Services.

We have two services each year. The Carol Service follows the Christmas Court and Lunch, which this year will be at Tallow Chandlers’ Hall on 8 December. The Annual Church Service used to be held on the same day as the Installation Court and Dinner, but that day became impossibly crowded. It has therefore been decided that this Service will, from 2011, follow the Spring Court and Lunch, which next year will be held on 5 May, also at Tallow Chandlers’ Hall. For this year only, as reported above, the Service will come between Common Hall and the evening social.

At our dinners we are sometimes accused of having “prep school food”; which I suppose means simple, wholesome and traditional. At risk of bringing down upon my head the wrath of the Hon Chaplain, one might also say in the nicest way that we have “prep school services” as well; hearty, traditional and sincere. Please give them your support. Make a note....

Annual Service 2010 – 8 September at 1830, Tower of London
Carol Service 2010 – 8 December at 1530, St Lawrence Jewry
Annual Service 2011 – 5 May 2011, St Lawrence Jewry.

College of Arms Visit 23 September.

Graeme Monteith has organised a visit to the College of Arms in Queen Victoria Street. Places are limited to 20, so members may only bring spouse or partner. The Heralds at the College create coats of arms and deal with all matters to do with heraldry. There is a flyer attached and your applications must be sent to the organiser and not to the Clerk.

This will be the last of the programme of informal events organised by members of the Events Committee in this Livery Year. The programme has been a great success; on behalf of all members of the Company thank you for your work.

Master’s Weekend 2010.

After the resounding success of her weekend in Kings Lynn Norfolk, the Master wrote to all those who attended to advise them that a considerable surplus had been made, as substantially more people attended than had been expected and budgeted for. The Master now reports that the superb sum of £2245 has been donated to the capital funds of the Company’s Charitable Trust.

Livery Halls Walk: 16 September

The Master and her Gentleman are participating in the inter Livery Walk on 16th September. The event is organised by The Worshipful Company of Environmental Cleaners and involves a walk of 8.5 miles taking in the 40 Livery Halls of the City of London. All entrants must be wearing gowns, badges & chains, and hats. The entry fee of £100 per person has been paid by the Master and will be donated to the Lord Mayor's Charity.

All participants are encouraged to raise funds for the Charitable Trusts of their own Companies. We have already raised sponsorship to the value of £845 from the generous support of those attending the Master's Weekend.

Most of those who have already pledged have done so on the basis of a lump sum, rather than so much per mile or hall visited, and it is suggested that a minimum pledge would be around £20, although all will be donations gratefully received. Please make your commitment directly to the Master (rigdenconsulting@calcottfarm.com).

The Master and Stephen will be most grateful for your support in their endeavours to boost our charitable funds.

Half Marathon with CRASH, 26 September.

The Company supports CRASH, the construction industry’s charity which helps other charities with building projects for the homeless, by donating the proceeds of our Christmas Appeal and Carol Service collection. A number of our members are active supporters individually. This is a chance for you to join them.

The Windsor half marathon takes place on 28 September, and CRASH is one of the two benefiting charities. The general entry is now closed, but a limited number of places are still available for holders of a “CRASH Golden Bond”. The cost is £135, which should be easily raised from your own sponsorship efforts, and that gives you entry to the race, access to the Golden Bond Marquee where the CRASH team will hand out refreshments, and you will have a place to relax throughout the day (when not running of course!).

To book, go to www.runwindsor.com, and pick CRASH as your chosen charity when submitting your Golden Bond entry. The race starts at 1300 hours. Any questions or problems, call Kate Marsh, CRASH Fundraising Administrator on 202 8742 0717.

Inter Livery Ten Pin Bowling

The Basketmakers’ Company has decided to arrange a ten pin bowling competition, to be held on Tuesday 29 March 2011 at the Kingpin Suite, Tavistock Hotel, Bedford Way, London WC1H 9EU. This venue has five bowling lanes, a private bar, pool table, pinball machines and other games. A challenge is there to be picked up.

The event is especially aimed at younger liverymen, freemen and yeomen, and what we need is someone to take on the challenge and produce a team of 6, a team entry fee of £300 (which includes bowling, shoe hire, and fork supper). There are no age limits, of course, but it does seem something that our marvellous new crop of younger members could take on, with the support of the Clerk. Will a volunteer please step forward and we can get something going.

Golf

Liveryman Melville Dunbar won the Ken Brown Cup at Tandridge GC on 22 July, with Alan Longhurst second and Glan Blake Thomas third. Richard Higgins retained the Peter Allen Bowl. All enjoyed an excellent day.
There are many photos on the Company website.

With these results to hand we can now select the team for the 3 Clerks’ Trophy. This golf competition between ourselves the Tylers and Bricklayers and the Paviors – and now the Makers of Playing Cards have joined in - will take place at Verulam GC near St Albans on 31 August, from 1100. As well as team members others can come and play. The cost will be £57 to include coffee and bacon roll on arrival, golf and supper.

The Constructors are the holders of the Trophy, having won every year but one in the five years the competition has been going. I don’t know the course but it will be a good day out. Let me know by 6 August if you would like to take part.

New Clerk

After an extensive search and a series of interviews Kim Tyrrell has been selected as our new Clerk, taking over on 13th August.

Kim has 34 years service in the Royal Marines. His service included operational tours and peacekeeping duties with the UN. Unusually for a Royal Marine he has served almost half his career in Royal Naval appointments including 2 ships (INTREPID & HERALD), 2 training establishments (Dartmouth and the Gunnery School), 2 tours in Fleet HQ and both Naval dockyards.

Kim is a keen yachtsman, hill walker, gardener and an enthusiastic golfer. He is married with two adult children and lives near the Hamble river in Hampshire. His contact details will be sent out shortly.

CLERK`S NOTES 15th JUNE 2010

In this edition –

· Constructors’ Golf Day
· 6th London Maritime Ball
· The Commonwealth Club
· The Clerk

Constructors’ Golf Day

The annual Constructors and Industry Partners Golf Day will take place on Thursday 22nd July at Tandridge Golf Club, near Reigate. It is an excellent course, and the catering is also of a very high quality.

Members compete for the Ken Brown Cup, and visitors for the Peter Allen Trophy, the latter a very handsome crystal bowl awarded for the first time last year and generously donated by AET, one of our Industry Partners. There will be a Ladies’ Prize if more than one lady enters! All members and guests are welcome, as are representatives from our Industry Partners. Non golfers can attend just the supper.

A flyer and booking form is with these Notes. (ON SIDE TAB OF WEB SITE) Please note that forms and cheques should be sent to (and cheques made out to) Alan Longhurst, whose address is on the form. Please make a real effort to support this excellent event. Do not be put off thinking that everyone will be better than you! Most players’ handicaps are in the twenties, and a fun day out is everybody’s priority. And the supper is first class, if that is all that appeals to you.

6th London Maritime Ball

The Honourable Company of Master Mariners in conjunction with Trinity House, The Institute of Seamanship, Royal Institute of Navigation and The Nautical Institute, are to hold the 6th London Maritime Charity Ball in aid of The Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society on HQS Wellington on Friday 16th July 2010 from 1900 to 0100.

Tickets: £80 per person which includes: welcome drinks, 4-course buffet dinner including wine, live Dance Band Entertainment, Raffle, bacon butties and coffee at midnight, free drinks throughout the evening (cash bar for spirits and champagne).

Dress: Black tie / Mess Undress
Theme: 1890s Paris: Le Moulin Rouge
Tickets are limited and available on a first-come, first-booked basis. Formal invitations will be sent closer to the event.

Contact me for an application form.

The Commonwealth Club

Members of the Company are offered a special membership rate of £200 per year and no entrance fee. You could have a look at www.thecommonwealthclub.org.uk to see if membership would be an asset to you. It does not have accommodation.

The Clerk

I have had a few enquiries so you might like to note the following. The Master and Wardens are currently recruiting a new Clerk. I came back for a while when my original replacement decided not to stay on, to fill the gap. I have been here a year in my second stint, and it is time to retire again. There will be a couple more Notes before I go I expect.

CLERK`S NOTES 1st JUNE 2010

In this edition –

· Loss of Pastmasters Denis Blackburn and Bob Craig
· Recent Events
· Forward Programme
· Book in for Election of Sheriffs and Lunch at Painters’ Hall, 24 June.
· Honorary Members

Loss of two Pastmasters.

Members of the Company young and old were saddened to hear of the recent deaths of two of our Pastmasters, Denis Blackburn and Bob Craig.

Denis died on 14 May, aged 83, in his home town of Winchester. He was Master 1994/95. He and Elsie were strong supporters of the Company, attending almost all the events and Denis’ considered and eminently practical advice was greatly sought at meetings of the Court. He was a kind and generous man. A large group of Constructors attended his service of thanksgiving in Winchester on 25 May.

Bob died on 17th May after quite a short illness. He was aged only 69, and an active and fit man, so his premature death was a great shock to family and friends alike. He was Master 2005/06. A few years ago he and Georgina bought a derelict barn near Bovey Tracey in Devon, and set about turning it into a magnificent family home. Bob was Chairman of the Construction Liveries Group, which will award their first Masters’ Certificates today at Carpenters’ Hall, with several Craig family members present. The Company was well represented at his Memorial Service in Bovey Tracey on 27 May.

We extend our sympathy to their families, and remember their devoted commitment to our Company with gratitude.

The Company has been extremely active over the last month or two. A group of members much enjoyed a visit to the Whitechapel Bell Foundry, organised by Liveryman David Fell, on 8 April. Next, the Ladies’ Banquet at Drapers’ Hall on 22 April was well attended and great fun, and many people commented favourably on the young singers from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and the trumpeters from the King’s Troop, Royal Horse Artillery.

This was closely followed by a Session of the Court at Vintners’ Hall on 5 May, and an excellent and unusual lunch, during which selected Greene King beers and ales were presented by Head Brewer John Bexon and sampled by the rest of us, and at the end the Master and her Ale Conner colleagues “bench-tested” the 6% Strong Suffolk.

The MD of EDF’s Nuclear New Build programme, Humphrey Cadoux-Hudson, delivered the annual Constructors’ Lecture at City University on 18 May to a large and well informed audience which included both members and industry leaders and commentators. As ever, we are most grateful to Costain for their support for this event, and we value our continuing excellent relationship with the University, whose acting Vice Chancellor welcomed us all.

The Master led nearly 60 members to Kings Lynn for her Weekend, where, in magnificent sunshine, we toured Sandringham House and the church we all see on television every Christmas, were guided through medieval Kings Lynn, mainly around the port area (“wine in, grain out”), with its Hanseatic connections, and what with eating and drinking and socialising and a bit of rock and roll and the like, time passed very quickly. And lastly in the current list, two scholars from the scheme jointly run by the Company and the CIOB’s Faculty of Architecture and Surveying presented their research at the London Transport Museum on 27 May.

Forward Programme

The events programme slows down during the Summer. There is a New Members’ Lunch at Butchers’ Hall on 9 June -and there are a few vacancies so please call or email for more information; the House of Commons Dinner is on 16 June; the Election of Sheriffs and Painters’ Hall Lunch (see next item) is on 24 June; and the Master’s party at Woodlands Farm is on Sat 10 July.

Your diaries should also have the Company’s Common Hall and informal social afterwards on 8 September at Tallow Chandlers’ Hall, and the visit to the College of Arms on 23 September, which is being organised by Court Assistant Graeme Monteith. There will then be the Installation Dinner on 13 October at Skinners’ Hall.

More information on these and other events will be published when available.

Election of Sheriffs – 24 June.

The Election, which takes place at Guildhall, is accessible for Liverymen only. The lunch that follows at Painters’ Hall is open to all members and their guests subject to the restrictions in numbers placed upon us by the Painter-Stainers’ Company.

Liverymen need a signed ticket from me to get into Guildhall, where you need to be seated by 1145 at the latest. Please do not try to save places for friends who will join you later as this wastes space when they either don’t, or can’t, find you in the crush. The overflow will be directed to the Old Library, where the proceedings will be watched on a large screen.

I do not at this stage have the final voting list, but the Shrieval candidates are Alderman Fiona Woolf and Mr Richard Sermon, and as there are only two candidates the election will be uncontested. Their election addresses are on our website for you to read. I believe that there may be a contested election for an Ale Conner vacancy, so keep an eye open for it and vote for the Master should that be on the papers I will distribute with the tickets.

Book now for lunch. Lunch will cost £51.00 inclusive of wines and VAT, and although you may wish to let me know how many places you will want I will only accept bookings in writing accompanied by a cheque for the correct amount. There is no special form but let me have the names of your guests and any special dietary requirements.

Honorary Members

At the 5 May lunch at Vintners’ Hall, one of our guests was Lt Col Aidan Smyth TD, and the Master announced that he had accepted our invitation to become an Honorary Member of the Company. We are very proud of our association with 101 Engineer Regiment (EOD) and have a regular exchange of visits and hospitality, and this strengthens the link between us.

Subsequently Mr Mike Bowron QPM, Commissioner of the City of London Police has also accepted our invitation. He was our principal guest at the Livery & Awards Dinner at Clothworkers’ Hall in February.

Colonel Smyth and Mr Bowron bring the total number of Honorary members up to four; they join Lord O’Neill of Clackmannan and The Rt Hon Nick Raynsford MP (who is hosting our imminent visit to the House of Commons).

Further information on this – as on mostly everything else in these Notes – will be found on our website.

Clerk`s Notes 16th March 2010

In this edition –

· Lunch 5 May
· Beating Retreat on Horseguards
· The Constructors’ Lecture
· Christ Church Spitalfields
· Invitation to Wilkins Kennedy reception
· Dinner at the House of Commons.
· CIOB and Constructors’ Scholar’s Presentation.

Lunch at Vintners’ Hall - 5 May

There are still a few days remaining when I can take applications for places at lunch at Vintners’ Hall on 5 May. At this stage probably better to send me an email application, although this will have to be a firm bid with a cheque in hot pursuit!

Beating Retreat at Horseguards- 9 and 10 June.

Lt Col Bagshaw, Coldstream Guards, has written to invite me to give a Beating Retreat a little publicity. You won’t see finer, so I am delighted to do so. Over 400 musicians drawn from the Household Cavalry bands and the Massed Corps of Drums of the Foot Guards and the 2nd Battalion the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, and the Guns of the Royal Horse Artillery.

There are two performances, 9th and 10th June, at 9.00 pm, and the Duke of Edinburgh will take the salute on the 9th, and the Duke of Kent on the 10th. Tickets at £15 (concessions available) from www.guardsbeatingretreat.com, or call 0844 847 2435.

The Constructors’ Lecture – 18 May.

Costain are generous supporters of this event and members will be receiving their invitations about now. It is free, includes a wine reception and light eats. You may take one guest. You must book in, via www.city.ac.uk/constructors. The subject of the Lecture is “Nuclear New Build and its place in the UK’s energy strategy”, and the speaker Humphrey Cadoux-Hudson, MD, Nuclear New Build, EDF Energy. There is no charge for this event.

Christ Church Spitalfields – 9 June.

The Friends of Christ Church Spitalfields offer an interesting day on 9 June. It is a visit to three significant architectural venues and to explore the organs installed in them. It has an appeal for its own organ at the moment, a £1million project.

You will visit Christ Church, St Botolphs Aldgate and Dulwich College Chapel. The £75 per person cost includes a comfortable coach to Dulwich, light lunch (and you can purchase a drink) and the expert guidance of Dr William McVicar, organ curator at the Festival Hall. I have application forms if you want one, but a cheque for £75 per head to - Friends of Christ Church Spitalfields, Christ Church, Fournier Street, London E1 6QE
with a note to say what it is for should be enough.

Invitation to the Wilkins Kennedy Reception- 19 May

The accountancy firm Wilkins Kennedy is one of our industry partners. They are holding an informal evening at a classic venue (The Museum of Transport in Covent Garden) to offer the opportunity to meet the Wilkins Kennedy Property & Construction Team. Sir Michael Latham will be giving his address on the current problems facing the Construction Industry and likely future prospects. The Master will also be in attendance.

20 places are available for Constructors. 19th May, 1830 – 2130. Contact Mike Parrett, michael.parrett@ntlworld.com for information and tickets. A free event.

Dinner at the House of Commons – 16 June.

Flyer attached – book early!

CIOB and Constructors Scholar’s Presentation – 27 May.

The CIOB Faculty of Architecture and Surveying and our Company present two Scholars’ presentations also at the London Transport Museum in Covent Garden, on 27 May at 1830, followed by a light buffet. The two topics are “Can BIM reduce risk and create opportunities in a declining market?” and “How do design managers in major contractors generate, capture and assess Buildability innovations and what barriers do they face?

Email or call me for a ticket please. The event is free.

Clerk`s Notes 16th March 2010

In this edition –

· Update on the Charter
· Ladies’ Banquet
· Court and Companions’ Lunch 5 April
· Visit to the Whitechapel Bell Foundry 8 April
· Future Events

Update on the Charter

Approval - In my last Notes I was able to report that
Her Majesty had approved the Company’s Petition to be granted a Royal Charter at the meeting of the Privy Council at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday 10th February. It would have been the icing on the cake had we learned of this before we dined together at Clothworkers’ Hall, but no doubt procedures had to be gone through, and we heard the following day.

Sealed Charter - We have since been in communication with the Staff of the Privy Council, going through the smallest details to ensure that the final version of the Charter says what it is meant to say. This is now done and the “final final final” draft has been sent to the Privy Council’s printers. From this process we will get two outcomes. The first is the formal Charter, boxed with the seal attached. If you have in mind just a large, ornate, framed document then times have apparently moved on. The full document is somewhat longer

By-laws -, And secondly the Charter is amplified and expanded by the addition of By-laws, which, like the Charter itself, we can only change by going back to the Privy Council to seek Royal approval and we would only do this in extremis as it is a time consuming and uncertain process. In addition there are new Ordinances.

Ordinances - The current Ordinances are our primary governance document, produced under the guidance of the Court of Aldermen following the grant of Livery. The new Ordinances spell out very much how the Company is to be run on a day to day basis, as our Standing Orders do now. For example in many places the Charter and By-laws say that such and such

Should be done “as directed by the Court”, and the Ordinances then give guidance to the Court about how this is to be done. They spell out the composition of our Court and Committees, the frequency of our formal meetings, the procedures for admitting new members and so on.

Copies - Once all these documents are “done and dusted” they will be taken into use by the Court, and copies will be available to members.

Celebration – Lastly we have approached the Lord Mayor’s Office as we believe that it is only right that he should be present in person when we celebrate what has happened, and we await a date in his incredibly packed schedule which was written a year ago with few gaps in it for unforeseeable matters such as this. At the moment we learn that a date in July is likely. We envisage a Service at our Church of St Lawrence Jewry, a robed procession through the streets of the City to a suitable venue – perhaps Mansion House if it too is available – and a Reception on a grand scale.

More news when I have it.

The Ladies’ Banquet – 22 April at Drapers’ Hall

Booking forms for the Banquet were sent out last week; if you do not have it, it can be downloaded from the website. To apply you need to send the completed form and your cheque to me, not later than Friday 9th April, although if you can I advise you to act much sooner than that as bids are coming in fast.

The Officer Commanding The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery (they fire the Royal Salutes in Hyde Park amongst other duties) has given his permission for his Trumpet Major and one other to provide us with fanfares (subject to operational priorities) . The Guildhall School of Music and Drama has confirmed that a vocal group can be provided to entertain us. Drapers’ Hall is breaking into its 2005 clarets, and as ever will be looking at its very best.

The Master looks forward to seeing you and your guests.

Visit to the Whitechapel Bell Foundry – 8 April 2010.

There are still vacancies for this visit, and a copy of the booking form is below, and is also on the website –

BOOKING FORM – WHITECHAPEL BELL FOUNDRY – 8th APRIL

* Applicant’s Name ………………………………………………….

* I wish to book……places for the Whitechapel Bell Foundry Tour & Supper @ £38 per head incl.VAT. Total - £…………….

* Cheque payable to - The Worshipful Company of Constructors

Please note all bookings must be received by Thursday 1st April. Applications should be sent to the event organiser, David Fell at 56 Stanley Avenue, Gidea Park, Essex, RM2 5DR.

You may have seen the old Liberty Bell which was cast at the Foundry in 1752 for the State House in Philadelphia on David Dimbleby’s ‘Seven Ages of Britain’ Programme last Sunday. With a history going back to 1570 this still fully functioning establishment is well worth a visit at £38 which includes the guided tour and supper with wine.

Court and Companions’ Lunch, 5 May 2010 at Vintners’ Hall.

Those members who attended the Christmas Court lunch on 9 December at Vintners’ Hall will remember that it was a pleasant and cheerful occasion for members, their families and guests. There will be a repeat of this to follow the Spring Court Meeting.

We had in mind that the Annual Church Service – which used to follow the Installation Court making for a very crammed schedule – would follow the Spring Court and Lunch. Whilst this may be the pattern for future years, this year we await the outcome of negotiations on the Charter celebration (see Page 1).

Vintners’ Hall has the distinction of entertaining five Kings at a banquet held by Henry Picard, Citizen and Vintner (and later Lord Mayor) in 1363, including Edward lll of England, David ll of Scotland, John ll of France (the last two both prisoners of England after the battles of Neville’s Cross and Poitiers respectively), Valdemar lV of Denmark and Peter of Cyprus.

As before the cost is £65 including wines and VAT, and a booking form is attached.

The Master’s Weekend – 21-23 May 2010.

The Master has just sent out her brochure for her Weekend in King’s Lynn, Norfolk. The programme includes golf, a visit to Sandringham, a guided walking tour of medieval and renaissance King’s Lynn, a Mayoral reception and black tie dinner, and Sunday morning worship at the Parish Church of St Margaret’s. For those who wish to stay an extra day there will be a visit on Monday 24 May to the RSPB reserve at Titchwell.

In the booking form which accompanied the brochure the first line states that the total cost is £265 per person, contradicting information elsewhere that it is £260. The latter is correct. In any case all you have to do now is send the Master the £50.00 deposit, and call the hotel to book your room.

Future Events

With events now crowding in thick and fast, and the Charter celebration to come, not to mention the Constructors’ Lecture at City University on 18 May, we ask members to give our programme as much support as they can, and certainly to make sure that everyone comes to something. To summarize the main items in the programme :

8 April – Whitechapel Bell Foundry. Book now.
22 April – Banquet at Drapers’ Hall. Book now.
5 May – Court Lunch at Vintners’ Hall. Book now.
18 May – Constructors’ Lecture at City University. Booking forms in due course from City U.
21-23 May – Master’s Weekend at King’s Lynn, Norfolk.
16 June – House of Commons Tour and Dinner.
July (tbc) – Charter Celebration.
22 July – Constructors’ Golf Championship at Tandridge GC – The Ken Brown Cup.
8 September – Common Hall (Company AGM).
23 September – College of Arms visit.
13 October – Installation Dinner at Skinners’ Hall.

I remind newer members (2008 to date) that they may apply to attend one of the remaining New Members’ Lunches held on 6 April (Watermen’s Hall) and 9 June (Butchers’ Hall). The party is restricted to about 10 including Master and some wardens. An email to me will start the booking process. Cost about £50.00, to be invoiced after the event.

If you have any questions about any of our events then please get in touch with the organiser, if you know who that is, or with me – often the same person anyway. Email or phone, contact details at the top of page 1.

CLERK’S NOTES 11 February 2010

FLASH NEWS

“At the Privy Council meeting held at Buckingham Palace on 10th February Her Majesty approved an Order for the application of the Great Seal to (our) Company's Charter.” This is our Royal Charter that we submitted our humble petition to Her Majesty for, and have worked for two years towards. This is great news for the Company and an historic milestone in our development and progress as a Livery Company of the City of London. More about this to come when we have it.

In this edition –

· Livery & Awards, Court and Dinner
· Visit to St Paul’s Crypt, 10 March*.
· United Guilds’ Service 19 March*.
· Visit to the Whitechapel bell Foundry, 8 April*.
· Events from May onwards.
· Storage for the Company’s archives.

*Book Now – application forms attached.

Livery & Awards, Court and Dinner, 10 Feb.

The Court sat at Clothworkers’ Hall. Greg Callaghan and Theresa Mohammed were admitted to the freedom, and Mike Nestor entered the Livery.

154 members and guests dined in the Hall later. Middle Warden Sir Michael Latham DL proposed the toast to the guests, and Mike Bowron QPM, Commissioner City of London Police and the Principal Guest, responded, then proposed the traditional toast to the Company “..may it flourish, root and branch, forever”.

www.sharpphoto.co.uk – gallery – livery company – constructors awards dinner; view and order photos.

The Company was delighted to have several scholars & prize winners present, seen here taking wine with the Master, with Apprentice Lydia Ingram and Freeman (and ex apprentice) Andrew Read.

From foreground left round the end of the table – Yaeger Rolfe, David Tong Cup; James Anwyl, Sustainability Scholar; Tom Baldwin, Dixon Scholar; Lydia Ingram, the Masters’ Apprentice; Faye Galligan, Constructors’ Prize; Andrew Read, Freeman and ex Apprentice.

Visit to St Paul’s Crypt, 10 March.

A flyer is attached for a visit to St Paul’s Crypt on 10 March, meeting at 1800, then the tour, and then a simple supper and drinks in a nearby wine bar. This tour can take 50 people, so guests are welcome, but note that bids must be received by the organiser, Andrew Hornby, by 28 February at the latest. If you have not been down there, or have but have not fully explored it, do seize this opportunity.

United Guilds’ Service 19 March.

This annual service of the City’s Guilds and Livery Companies is open to Liverymen only, but places at the lunch that follows at Painters’ Hall are available to freemen.

The Service. The Congregation must be seated by 1055 at the latest. At 1115 the Dean and Chapter and Church Dignitaries, the Aldermen and Sheriffs, Masters of the great Twelve and some other Companies on rotation, and, as ever at the back, the Lord Mayor with his Sword Bearer and the City Marshall process in. The Select Preacher is the Right Reverend Graham James, Bishop of Norwich. I have limited seats in the Company pew, and more seats in the South Aisle, Transept and Gallery, and the only way to gain admission to St Paul’s is by having a ticket signed by me. Liverymen only.

The Lunch.

Together with another dozen or so Companies, we have lunch following the service at painters’ Hall, Little Trinity Lane (running down towards the river from Mansion House tube station entrance on the South side of Cannon Street). I have up to 20 places available, and the cost, including wines and VAT, will be £51.00. Whilst those attending the Service will have priority, we should be able to accommodate all who wish to lunch. Extra seats can often be arranged.

Please book in for the service and/or the lunch using the application form provided, and if having lunch, include your cheque made out as always to The Worshipful Company of Constructors. I can take late bids for the Service so long as my allocation of tickets holds out, but I must have your lunch booking by 12 Noon on Friday 26 February.

Visit to the Whitechapel Bell Foundry, 8 April

The Foundry has been in continuous production since 1570 and has been in its present location since 1738. It is world renowned, and has many historical connections with cathedrals and great buildings worldwide. The Foundry is not working at the time of visits as that would be too dangerous, but a full, expert tour which shows all the processes is given. After the tour, the party will go next door to the Georgian Foundry House for supper with wine.

The tour starts promptly at 1730, and the cost, including supper, is £38. There are 40 places available and if oversubscribed, there will be a ballot. Please use the form provided on the attached flyer, and send it, with your cheque made out to The Worshipful Company of Constructors, to the organiser by Thursday 18 March at the latest.

Making Bookings

I take the opportunity to remind members that the only way to make a booking for any Company event, formal or informal, is to complete the booking form and send it, with your cheque, to the organiser, whether the Clerk or a member of the Events Committee. We are discussing electronic ways to take payments, but have not found a foolproof way to recognise them for what they are. If the form is not to hand there will be one on the website that can be downloaded, where our full programme is also shown, with any further details. Unless specifically requested, email bookings are not accepted, although enquiries are welcome that way. Sometimes you may not be able to name all your guests at the time you send the booking form, and that is acceptable and you can just book so many places. There is rarely any need to send an email to ask if the are spaces available, unless you are very late. Fill in the form and send the money; all should be well! Thank you. Please note that bookings are not accepted before an application form has been issued.

Events from May onwards.

Full details of the events below will be sent out nearer the time of each. You will only be able to book when forms are issued. Activities coming up include

The Master’s Weekend in Kings Lynn, Norfolk, 21-23 May.

There is a lot of information in her booklet that was sent round at the start of her Year. In extreme brief: 21 May, golf for those that like it, and a tour of Sandringham House; evening, dinner in a medieval tithe barn with dancing. 22 May, guided tour of Kings Lynn, free afternoon, civic reception and black tie dinner in the Guildhall Assembly Rooms. 23 May, church service in the town’s Parish Church and lunch at the hotel. Optional visit to Titchwell RSPB Reserve.

The Constructors’ Lecture, City University, Northampton Square on 18 May

at 1800 (tbc), in partnership with Costain and the University. Humphrey Cadoux-Hudson, MD Nuclear New Build EdF. All members will receive an invitation from City University around mid March, and must respond directly to the address on the card. This will be a “closed” invitation only event as the University is concerned that the topic may attract protesters.

Tour and Dinner House of Commons, Whitehall, 16 June, hosted by Hon Member Nick Raynsford MP.

Woodlands Farm Summer Party, Nr Canterbury, 10 July (was 3 July, note the change of date). The Master and her Gentleman, “at home”.

Constructors’ Golf Day at Tandridge GC (just off the M25 near Reigate) on 22 July.

Competitions for members and guests. The Clerk will do his best not to win again, but a little serious opposition would be welcomed! (That should draw them out). A splendid cup to keep for a year and excellent prizes.

College of Arms visit and supper on 23 September. Very limited numbers.

Storage for the Company’s archives.

If any member in the home counties has got about 40 sq ft (“third of a garage”) of dry and reasonable secure space, the company has some 20 boxes of paper archives that are looking for a new home. Contact the Clerk if you may be able to help. A modest “costs covering” rent will be paid.

CLERK’S NOTES 15 DECEMBER 2009

In this edition –

· 9 Dec Court, Lunch & Carol Service
· Livery & Awards Dinner 10 Feb 2010
· Sir Ian Dixon Awards and Presentations 20 Jan 2010
· Journal & Yearbook
· New Members’ Lunches
· Arts for All Exhibition and Auction 18 Jan 2010
· Inter Livery Clay Shoot 19 May 2010
· Inter Livery Bridge 1 March 2010

Court, Lunch, Carol Service 9 Dec 09

The Court met for the final time in 2009 at Vintners’ Hall. Ajay Nehra and Colin Rickard were admitted to the Livery, and six new Freemen joined the Company: Jonathan Cope, Edward Hardy, Keith Bishop, John Abbott, Henry Mayes and Jonathan Bowcott. A hearty welcome to all.

From L; Bowcott, Bishop, Rickard, Hardy, Nehra, Abbott, Cope.

A lunch followed at which the principal guests were Lord Martin O’Neill of Clackmannan, an Honorary Member, and the new Guild Vicar of St Lawrence Jewry next Guildhall the Rev Canon David Parrott, whose appointment as Honorary Chaplain to the Company was announced. 103 sat down to lunch, which was most enjoyable; a similar event is planned to follow the 5 May 2010 Court.

The Company then went on to St Lawrence Jewry for our Annual Carol Service. It was well attended, with the choir in excellent voice, vigorously supported by the congregation. Jonathan Cope read the Junior Freeman’s lesson. The pleasing sum of £830.80 was taken in collection for CRASH, which will rise to around £977.00 when gift aid has been claimed.

A good day for the Constructors.

Livery & Awards Dinner 10 Feb 2010

The Livery & Awards Dinner will be held at Clothworkers’ Hall on Wednesday 10 February 2010. The Clothworkers’ Company is the twelfth and last of the Great Twelve Companies, founded by Royal Charter in 1528 (the year bubonic plague broke out in England and there was a brief and unlikely alliance between England and France who jointly declared war on Emperor Charles V of the Holy Roman Empire).

This is the Company’s formal business dinner; we invite the Masters of other construction livery companies and a number of the leaders of our industry institutions. We award the David Tong Cup, Constructors’ Prize and Shafting and Shoring Cup, the last to a member of our affiliated Regiment, 101 Engineer Regiment (EOD)(V).

The dress will be black tie, the time 6.45 for 7.00 pm. I will mention this event again in my first Notes next year, but you can apply now, using the form attached to these Notes.

Sir Ian Dixon Awards and Presentations.

I have some 15 tickets for members of the Company who wish to attend the 2008/9 Sir Ian Dixon Scholars’ presentations at The Royal College of Pathologists, 2 Carlton Place Terrace SW1 on Wed 20 Jan 2010, at 1815. Presentations will be made in front of a distinguished industry audience, and will be followed by the awards by Lady Dixon, and a light buffet. Tell me by 1 Jan if you wish to attend and I will put your name in the ballot.

Yearbook and Journal.

All members of the Company should by now have received their copy of the Constructors’ Journal and the Yearbook. If you have not, tell me and I will send you whatever is missing. We will be publishing updated Yearbook information from time to time.

In some editions the Immediate Pastmaster, Roger Adcock, has slipped over the page and joined the Court Assistants, instead of having his rightful place at the bottom of page 9. Sir Vivian Ramsey KBE has been missed off the list of Court Assistants, where he should appear between Graeme Monteith and Bob Heathfield. Please make these amendments to your book now. I will send out a list of errata in the New Year, so if there is a problem with your entry, make sure you let me know.

New Members’ Lunches

There are still one or two (literally) places left for the Butchers’ Hall lunch on 20 Jan 10, and you can certainly still secure a place on 6 April (Watermen’s Hall) and 9 June (back to Butchers’). The aim is for new members (joined in the last 18 months or so) to get know some of their fellow Constructors, and there will just be a small group of 10 or 12.

The cost will be in the region of £50 per head; the cost will be split between those attending, and I will invoice afterwards. Please call or email me to make a booking; I need your bid not less than one month before the date of each lunch, but it will be first come first served, so if you know you want to attend an early bid is advised. .

Arts for All Exhibition and Auction

The Company has supported Arts for All, an East London based charity providing encouragement and guidance to young people from a deprived area who wish to express themselves artistically. Past exhibitions have been great successes, and one year we even presented the then Lord Mayor, Sir David Brewer, with a Lowestoft Porcelain dish illustrated with the children’s paintings. www.artsforall.co.uk tells you much more about this charity.

An exhibition of paintings by the children will be arranged at the Dickens Inn (St Katherine’s Dock) function room on 18 January. There will also be an auction, primarily an art auction, of donated items. The exhibition is called “Urban Diversity” and if you have a spare old master, or even a young one, please consider donating it, and in any case go along and join in. You can contact Caroline Barlow on caroline@artsfor all.co.uk.

Inter Livery Clay Shoot.

The Inter Livery Clay shoot takes place at the Holland and Holland Ground at Northwood, Middx on 19 May 2010. This includes the “famous buffet lunch, roast pig, breakfast, morning coffee etc”, which would seem to take care of any slight feeling of peckishness on the day. The cost is £155 per gun, including insurance, clays, cartridges and the above rations. We usually raise a team under the management of Hon CA Ken Kent. Let him or me know if you are interested. Last year £6200 was raised for various charities, and the Horners won to the Gunmakers annoyance no doubt.

Inter Livery Bridge

The Makers of Playing Cards are organising the 28th Annual Bridge Competition on March 1st at Drapers’ Hall. If you play bridge and would like to join fellow liverymen please let me know.

Treasures of the Livery Companies

Geoffey Bond OBE, Chairman of the Livery Committee and a Pastmaster of the Guild of Art Scholars, Dealers and Collectors is organising an exhibition with the above title to be in the Guildhall Art Gallery in the Summer months of 2012, as a contribution to the Cultural Olympiad. A panel of expert advisors is being assembled to select items for the exhibition.

Livery History & Collection Forum

On 15 Feb 2010 at Clothworkers’ Hall, there will be a Seminar on “How to look after and use your collections”. Alas, the Constructors’ collection is a little too small to require this sort of dedication (though we have some very nice artefacts) but it is free and any member of the Company may attend having given notice of doing so through me. There will be some very eminent and learned speakers. 2.30 to 4.30 pm and I am sure you will get a cup of tea as well.

Events Coming Up in 2010

There is a full programme of formal and informal events coming up next year, most of which is shown in the Yearbook on pages 5,6 and 7, but there are some updates. The informal, and mostly inexpensive, activities include –

Ø A visit to St Paul’s Crypt on 10 March, followed by supper at a nearby venue.
Ø A trip round the Whitechapel Bell Foundry on 8 April, again followed by supper.
Ø The Master’s Weekend at Kings Lynn 21/23 May.
Ø A tour of the House of Commons followed by dinner, kindly hosted by Hon Member Nick Raynsford MP, on 16 June.
Ø The Company Golf Day and “Summer Supper” at Tandridge GC on 22 July.
Ø A visit to the College of Arms and supper on 23 Sep.

Details and booking forms in due course, but please note for diaries. I am sorry but I cannot take bookings in advance.

I wish all members, their families, friends and colleagues, a merry Christmas and a happy New Year

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