I start this Newsletter on a very sad note as we have just heard of the tragic death of Court Assistant Adrian Blundell. As you will have seen from the Clerk’s email, Adrian died suddenly on 27 December. The news was a very great shock to all of us and I have written to Adrian’s wife, Shelley. He will be greatly missed.

 

 

I am pleased that Adrian knew that the Court, at its meeting on 12 December, had approved the Craft Committee’s recommendation that Adrian should be presented with a special award in recognition of his services to Education and Industry, Floor and Wall Tiling. It is early days, but I hope that Shelley and some of Adrian’s children might be able to attend the Craft Awards on 13 March to receive his award.

 

Turning back to my calendar, after a very hectic start to my Master’s year, I realised that December was going to be much more relaxed. There are relatively few events this month, with many Companies concentrating on Carol Services.

 

However, I was invited to the Plaisterers Hall for their Training Awards Lunch. These awards are a collaboration between FIS (Finishes and Interiors Sector) and the Worshipful Company of Plaisterers. It is a little like our Craft Awards and celebrates the achievements of students and apprentices and well as organisations and individuals that champion skills and training.

 

 

The awards were presented by the guest speaker, Mark Millar, from DIY SOS and other television programmes. It was a grand affair with many proud students and tutors. I was made most welcome by the Master of the Company, James Minett, who was brought up in a neighbouring village and whose family were patients of the Consort. A small world.

I always look forward to our Carol Service and this year was no exception. I feel it is a bit like the end of term, and Christmas really begins after it. As always, the church was beautiful. Many thanks to Hon Freeman Richard Townend for his playing and the Lothbury Singers for their magnificent singing, and to our Chaplain, the Venerable Dr Jonathan Smith for his thought-provoking sermon.

 

 

This was a special service for our Company, because it was the last that the Reverend Jeremy Crossley was a part of before he retired. Jeremy has looked after us at St Margaret’s Lothbury for nearly 25 years, always with good humour, wit and kindness. We will miss seeing him there. However, we will see him again, as we were delighted that he accepted our offer of becoming an Honorary Liveryman to the Company and was installed that afternoon at the Court meeting. We were able to mark his retirement at the supper at Armourers’ Hall, following the service, with some gifts. Jeremy is going to live in Oxford and we all wish him well in his retirement.

 

This is one of our less formal events, and always thoroughly enjoyed by everyone. There will be a report of the evening online very soon.

 

The Company had cause for further celebration as Past Master Nicholas Ward and Past Master Nick Carter became joint Fathers of the Company. This followed a request by PM Nicholas Ward, and the Court were pleased to agree. Nicholas and PM Nick Carter have been friends for over 50 years, were at school together and joined the Company months apart. They were Masters in consecutive years. As joint Fathers , they will share the duties and wear the badge when on duty.

 

 

At the Court meeting, we also welcomed Col Ian Ogden to serve a third term on the Court, and Tony Higson and Richard Beresford were admitted as Liverymen of the Company. A busy afternoon.

 

 

Many thanks to Liverymen Brendan McMillan and Ed Renwick and Freeman Rachel Malpass-Brown for agreeing to take part with me in the Pancake race on Shrove Tuesday. I have to add that one member has to be in fancy dress, preferably with relevance to the Company! If anyone can help with this, it would be very much appreciated. Meantime, book the date, Tuesday 4 March, in your diaries to come and cheer us on, and perhaps eat a few pancakes!

 

I wish you all very Happy New Year and I look forward to seeing you at some of the many events planned in 2025.

 

Jenny Rolls - Master

 

Dates of upcoming events (Calling Notices to follow):

 

Monday 27 January 6pm – Common Hall via Zoom

 

Thursday 6 February - Court and Livery Dinner, Cutlers’ Hall

 

Tuesday 4 March – Pancake Race, Guildhall Yard

 

Thursday 13 March – Craft Awards, Goldsmiths’ Hall