Welcome to the February Newsletter. Spring is on the way!

 

 

 

My month started well. I was invited to the City of London Boys School, just by the Millenium Bridge. We donate money to the school and I was pleased to be invited for a tour and lunch with other Masters of Livery Companies who also help the school. It was one of those rare fine winter days, so the school and its surroundings looked magnificent. On one side the Thames, and the other, St Pauls Cathedral. We were shown round by pupils who were there because of the bursary scheme we help with. The boys were a credit to the school, interesting and interested, surviving chatting to us all over lunch, when I’m quite sure they would much rather have been elsewhere. The headmaster, Alan Bird, joined us -and how inspiring he is. I have walked over the bridge many times and never noticed the school there. I’m not quite sure what that says about my awareness, but in my defence, it is tucked away.

 

On February 5th, the Company of Entrepreneurs were approved as a Livery Company and are now the Worshipful Company of Entrepreneurs and are 112 in Order of Precedence. We wrote to the Court of Aldermen in their support, and I wrote a letter of congratulation to their Master, James Talbot, on behalf of our Company.

 

 

Once again, we had sad news. Don Slade died early in the month. He was 92 and had been in ill health for a while. Don was for many years MD of Carter Contracting, based in the southeast, a company which carried out major tiling contracts in the London area. He was an expert in wall and floor tiling and was Chief Inspector for the Tile Association. He became a Liveryman of our Company in 2008 and was a member of the Craft Committee as well as being a Company Steward. He was married to Margaret and has two sons, James and Alistair. Don was a much respected member of the Company .

 

 

Then came the Court and Livery Dinner which was held at Cutlers’ Hall and which is held for the Liverymen and Freemen only. There are no guests, no robes for the Master and Wardens, and more interestingly, no seating plan. Apart from the Master, everyone selects a number at random and sits wherever their number is. This leads to excellent chat and good fellowship.

 

This year, as sometimes in the past, Past Master Philip Parris and Chair of the Wine Committee gave us a fascinating insight into not only the excellent wines we were drinking, but also into the workings of the wine Committee. In fact, he made a very good suggestion that a wine interest group be formed. With Emeritus past members of the Committee now being included in informal events, Philip thought that could perhaps grow into a Wine Interest Group, separate from the Committee. This went down extremely well. Please do contact him or the Clerk for further information if you have a real interest in joining and contributing to a group like this.

 

I was reminded by C A David Williams that Cutlers’ Hall owns a medal from the Tylers and Bricklayers. I didn’t get to see it, but apparently it has been worn in the past by a Master who had forgotten his own medal! A very good time was had by all - as always.

 

While enjoying a cup of tea, I spotted a familiar face on television. Liveryman Chris Cox, who has been awarded a Special award for Services to Education and Industry, featured on the Repair Shop : On the Road. He was wonderful and quite stole the show. Do watch on catch up if you get a moment.

 

 

The Craft Committee decided to meet at the Building Craft College in Stratford, combining the meeting with a tour of the college and lunch. We had a fascinating tour, shown round by the principal, Selena Bolingbroke. What another inspirational place to teach, train and visit. It was such a calm environment and the students were all so focused. A pleasure to see. Both Selena and Neil Hayman, the tutor of Multi Crafts and Bricklaying will be guests at our Craft Awards.

 

After George Clarke, a much respected, former member of the Company , died last October, his family wanted to have a fitting memorial service for him, deciding to hold it in St Edmundsbury Cathedral, Bury St Edmunds. The service was just as he would have wanted, with his family and friends. Liveryman Barry Blumson read the eulogy, which had been prepared for the most part by George himself, making sure that nothing was left out! There were many Tylers and Bricklayers present to remember him. George has a special interest in the Cathedral, because he saw the Millenium tower being built. He became so fascinated that he wrote a book – which has been his prize to a student at St Edmunds Society for the past few years. The tower, which was completed in 2005 is built of Barnack stone, a Lincolnshire limestone. Flint flushwork decoration was also used. It is a wonderful achievement, and the Cathedral is filled with light.

 

 

That evening I drove to Chatham, where I was a guest at the Corps Guest Night at the Royal Engineers Headquarters. What a night! All the silver was out, gleaming in candlelight, and the sight of two hundred REs , men and women, in their scarlet tunics was a sight to behold. I think the highlight of the evening was the RE’s song ‘Hurrah for the CRE.’ Fortunately, I had looked it up on YouTube, otherwise I might have wondered what on earth was going on. I was extremely well looked after and felt so proud of our affiliation.

 

The Membership Committee under the leadership of Past Master Simon Martin has initiated a drive for more women members in the Tylers and Bricklayers. To this end, he asked some of our women members to write a little about ourselves and why we joined and enjoyed the Livery. You can see the results of this on our website HERE

 

I think you may be surprised at just what amazing talent we have in the Tylers and Bricklayers. If any of you know any women who might like to join our rather small ranks, please let them know what a great time we all have and what a great Company the Tylers and Bricklayers is. As you will see, there doesn’t have to be a link to the crafts. Just come and see and join.

 

I have also received an invitation to the 370th Festival of the Clergy Support Trust at St Paul’s Cathedral on Tuesday, May 13th at 5pm. Anyone is welcome-for more details if you wish to attend, please visit; www.clergysupport.org.ok/festival

 

My Consort and I shall be there.

 

Jenny Rolls - Master

 

Dates of upcoming events:

4 March - Pancake Races in Guildhall Yard from 12 noon – come and support the team

11 March  - Craft Awards at Goldsmiths’ Hall – booking now closed (check with Clerk for cancellations) 28 March United Guilds Service at St Paul’s Cathedral with lunch at Carpenters’ Hall

10 April - Lord Mayor’s Big Curry Lunch at the Guildhall

13 May - Clergy Support Trust Festival at St Paul’s Cathedral

15 May - Annual Banquet at Painters Hall - Calling Notice out soon