Well, May started with a bang! As Master of a Livery Company, I was invited to take two children to the Lord Mayor’s Children’s party at the Mansion House. Luckily, I have two grandsons of the right age-between 6 and 9 years old. There was great excitement in the wider Rolls family, especially as the children were asked to wear fancy dress. I took the boys, Angus and Alexander to the Mansion house dressed as explorers. They decided that as they rather liked animals and nature, it was the obvious choice.

 

 

The afternoon was splendid in every sense. From the moment we and 150 other children arrived, they were entertained, fed and treated perfectly. Each child met the Lord Mayor, Lady Mayoress and the Sheriffs, plus of course, Florence the dog.

 

The afternoon was filled with fun and laughter- science, conjurers, entertainers and animal shows- Angus even held a snake. The afternoon was rounded off by the Lord Mayor leading a conga round the Mansion House- with the Sheriffs in attendance! The finale was a ballon drop in the Egyptian Room, much to delight of the children, and slight consternation of adults as to how the balloons would survive the tube and bus journeys home. A great afternoon, and one which I think Angus and Alexander will never forget.

 

In contrast, I was invited to evensong at St Paul’s Cathedral to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe. I was joined by many other Masters and Clerks, and members of the Armed Forces. The Lord and Lady Mayoress were also there. It was a very poignant service. Many of the readings, and indeed the sermon, were those that had been used during and at the end of the war at the National Thanksgiving Service in May 1945. The service ended with Sermon by Music, later known as A Song of Thanksgiving, by Ralph Vaughn Williams. This was commissioned by the BBC in 1943, and first broadcast in May 1945.

 

I was delighted to be invited to the NFRC UK awards the following day. Held in the Intercontinental London, it was a very splendid affair, with over 800 guests. The winning entries were stunning, and very much deserved. One of our own, Liveryman Karl Terry, won the Small Scale Project, for the Finsbury Circus Gazebo. I have been watching the progress of the renovations at Finsbury Circus over the past year or so as I leave Liverpool Street Station, and noticed the rather lovely gazebo the last time I walked past . I had no idea then that Karl was responsible for it. Many congratulations to him and his team.

 

The Consort and I were back at St Paul’s the following week, attending the service for the Clergy Support Trust- which used to be known as the Sons of the Clergy. I felt very honoured as I processed down the aisle with over 40 other Masters. The service was moving. I, and I expect many of us there didn’t realise just how much this charity is needed. Over 20% of all clergy are given help in one way or another. Mostly financial, but counselling as well. It is a much needed charity, and I am proud that our Company support it. The music was , as expected wonderful. Three Cathedral Choirs came together to sing- St Paul’s, Bradford Cathedral, and Lichfield Cathedral. We met several other Liverymen and our Renter Warden with his Consort. Nigel, I and others went on the Plaisterers’ Hall for a fine buffet. We were slightly starstruck, because we were on a table with the Archbishop of York, Richard Farmborough, Chair of the Trustees, and Sheriff David Chalk and his wife. Interesting conversations took place!

 

 

Then came our Annual Banquet, held this year in the splendid Painters’ Hall. This was a special year for our Affiliation with the Royal Engineers, and I decided to mark this 25th anniversary at my Annual Banquet. A silver trowel trophy was presented. It is to be awarded annually to a high performing unit, rather than an individual. We had a fine turnout of Royal Engineers. The guest speaker was Major General the Rt Hon the Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton who was Minister of State for the Armed Forces under Theresa May and Boris Johnson, and has served as Director Reserves since October 2023. A fine evening was had by all, and a full report of the evening is on our website. One of the highlights for me was the photo of all the women Tylers and Bricklayers present. A fine – or should I say, formidable - sight.

 

 

The following morning saw Nigel and me on the train to Birmingham for the Tile Association Awards. This is a prestigious ceremony, and we were delighted to be invited. I was one of the judges, and I am pleased to say that some of my choices actually won prizes! We were well looked after, with a lovely meal and wine. It was also great to see our members who have not been able to attend some of our events due to work commitments. I hope they will come soon. Again, as in all the award ceremonies I have been to, the standard was outstanding. It just shows how much talent we have in the industry.

 

 

The following event was a real highlight of the year. My consort and I along with many other Livery Masters were invited to a Royal Garden Party. Much discussion took place between the other Lady Masters and Consorts as to outfits and hats, and I think we all looked rather splendid. We had lunch with friends at the Atheneum and agreed to meet other Livery Masters at a designated place and time for a group photo. The weather was perfect, not too hot or windy, and the occasion was very special. The Prince and Princess of Wales were there with the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, but I was only able to catch a glimpse of them in the distance. It was a fantastic day and could not have been better.

 

 

 

Nigel was invited by the Sheriffs’ Consorts for lunch and a tour of the Old Bailey later in the week, which he very much enjoyed. This was a private invitation with only a few others there. He tells me he had a fascinating time, visiting Number One court which had the trials of Crippen, and other notorious villains.

 

 

The following day we both went to Christ’s Hospital Speech Day in Horsham. We were able to stay with one of our sons for the weekend which made visiting easy. Again, weather was kind, and the day splendid. The Lord Mayor and Sheriffs were all there, which made the day even more special. I had never been to the school before, but was impressed not only with the buildings, but with the pupils as well. We were able to chat to parents and pupils who were in their final year, and all were most enthusiastic about the education they received. Sadly, I did not meet Kiyan, as he was not in his final year, but I glimpsed him in the parade. This is a spectacular sight, when the whole school marches. I was asked to take part in the procession before the Lord Mayor’s arrival, which was an honour. Yet another great day.

 

 

The final outing of the month was again for Nigel. He went to the Millenium Bridge to join other Consorts for a Mudlarking day. He had a great time with interesting finds- one of which was a Pirate’s bottle top, apparently. His day finished at the Watermen’s Hall with afternoon tea. May has certainly been a busy and enjoyable month for us both.

Included with this Newsletter is a letter from Court Assistant Ian Wilson, Chair of Craft Committee, launching this year’s Photographic Competition. When you are out and about over the summer get those cameras snapping and send in your best roof tiling, ceramic tiling and brickwork photos.

And before you disappear for the summer, here are a few dates for you to pencil in your diaries:

 

  • Saturday 2nd August we will celebrate our Charter Day Visit with a trip to the Weald and Downland Museum.

 

  • Wednesday 10th September will be our Craft Visit, this year we are looking forward to visiting Keymer Handmade Clay Roof Tiles at Ewhurst, Surrey.

 

  • Monday 22nd September will be our annual Golf Day at Moor Park Golf Club in Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire

 

More details on all these events to follow.

 

I look forward to seeing you at the Masters and Clerks lunch on 12th June.

 

Jenny Rolls - Master