L-R Alan Dodd, Master Bowyer, Master Fletcher, Prime Warden Blacksmiths’, Master Joiner and Ceiler, Master Weaver. 

 

Sunday 2nd of November and another Avanti West Coast train journey from Manchester to London for me. Other frequent travellers will know this is always an adventure – not necessarily in a good way! This time, though, there were no mishaps and I was ready bright and early on Monday 3rd November to attend the City and Livery Garden of Remembrance Service at St Paul’s Cathedral.

 

Having arrived in good time, I had a few minutes before going inside to say hello to Liveryman Alex Maclean Bather who was there in his capacity as Clerk to the Worshipful Company of Fuellers. On making my way to the Crypt, where I was joined by our Learned Clerk, Heather Smith for a buffet breakfast before ‘muster’, I spotted another Tyler and Bricklayer, also on duty. Liveryman Dr Christine Rigden is Clerk to the Worshipful Company of Gardeners.

 

Organised by the City Livery Committee, the Service is attended by the Lord Mayor, Sheriffs, senior representatives of the Royal British Legion (a charity supported by the Ts and Bs), branches of the Armed Forces, Cadets from City of London Schools and Livery Company Masters. The Service was conducted by the Dean, The Very Reverend Andrew Tremlett. I collected my small wooden cross with a poppy printed on the front and the Company name on the reverse. On a bright and unusually warm morning, more than 100 Masters were organised by the Beadle into ranks six-deep in order of precedence. Being 37th I was privileged to lead six Masters onto the Garden where we bowed together toward a large wreath of red poppies before stepping forward in line and pushing our small wooden crosses into the earth. After a moment’s reflection we bowed again before marching off. It was a solemn and moving occasion. The Band of the Grenadier Guards played quietly in the background. The Address was given by the Right Honourable, The Lord Mayor Alderman Alastair King DL.

 

Leaving the Garden of Remembrance Service, Heather and I made our way to Leathersellers’ Hall at St Helen’s Place, Bishopsgate. This followed an invitation from the Master of the Leathersellers’ Company Martin Dove to join him and six Masters and their respective Clerks for lunch. Being such a small group, we dined in the very comfortable and more intimate Colfe Library rather than the larger subterranean dining hall. I was pleased to be seated next to Martin, with whom I had a wonderful conversation about his family history, Dove Brothers builders, and their association with the Tylers and Bricklayers. This goes back beyond 1883 when Frederick John Dove was a Liveryman and later in 1914 Master Tyler and Bricklayer. WW Dove was twice Master in the 1950s and John E Dove JP was Master 1977-78. The Dove family has been prominent in the Leathersellers’ Company. Dove Brothers built Leathersellers’ Hall and that Company’s properties in St Helen’s Place in the 1920s. A more detailed history is referenced in our Company history book “They Built London” (Penelope Hunting 2016)

 

At 5.00pm on the same day, St Stephen Walbrook was the venue for a Service of Thanksgiving for the Lord Mayor of the City of London the Right Honourable Alastair King DL. Known as the Lord Mayor’s Parish Church, St Stephen Walbrook had been closed for the previous 14 months for remediation and renovation. The invitation from the Rector and Churchwardens also announced the church is open once again to the general public now that the work has been completed. The church was warm and welcoming with bright lights reflected from newly painted white walls. City institutions and Livery Companies were well represented as the church quickly filled with guests including Masters, Prime Wardens, Upper Bailiffs and Consorts taking their seats around the altar. St Stephen Walbrook is considered by many to be one of Sir Christopher Wren’s finest church interiors. It has a 63’ (19m) high dome and, since 1987, a massive central, circular, white polished stone altar commissioned from the sculptor Henry Moore. Its unusual positioning required the authority of a rare judgement of the Court of Ecclesiastical Causes Reserved.

 

Once the Lord Mayor, Lady Mayoress, Sheriffs and their Consorts were seated the Service, conducted by the Rector, Reverend Stephen Baxter began. An address was given by the Mayor’s Chaplain, the Venerable Ray Pentland CB, who recognised the Lord Mayor’s accomplishments during his year in office. The St Stephen Choral Scholars and St Stephen Voices made sure my hymn singing hit (mostly) the right notes while those of trumpeter Katie Lodge were perfect in the large domed space above the altar! After the Service guests were invited to remain for a drinks’ reception and, in this less formal atmosphere, I managed a brief chat with the Lord Mayor. Fun fact: In 1953 the Samaritans charity was founded by the then Rector Dr Chad Varah and operated from a crypt beneath the church.

 

 

L-R Alan Dodd, Lambton Park prize recipient and Jon Culshaw

 

 

An invitation to the Brick Awards 2025 from the Brick Development Association saw me at a celebration of all that is best in brick in the UK. It was a pleasure to see and meet a number of Tylers and Bricklayers, including Liveryman Dean Degun who was on the judging panel and Freeman Guy Armitage, a prize winner in the Sustainability category. While I managed a quick hello to Freeman Mike Walsh and the team from Swift Brickwork – before they were whisked away by the official photographer - I know there were other Ts and Bs that I’m sorry I didn’t meet. I think the BDA must have taken over the whole hotel for the evening as more than 600 guests made their way from the reception, where drinks were being served, to the ballroom for what promised to be an exciting black-tie awards dinner.

 

My table included the host, comedian and impressionist Jon Culshaw. I was seated between Hannah Ault, the President of Ceramics UK and Mike Leonard of the Building Alliance who was next to Head Judge Jonathan Hall. At the same table were Rob Flello CEO Brick Development Association, his wife Karen also representing Ceramics UK. Following his welcome speech and opening remarks Rob Flello invited Jonathan Hall to the stage to speak about the judging and to thank the panel of judges.

 

He commented on the very high quality of entries in all 16 categories and how difficult it had made choosing the eventual winners. I was invited to present the award for the Housing Development (2-100 units) that was won by the Lambton Park project in Newcastle upon Tyne with a Metro Mayfair Stock, Milano brick manufactured by Wienerberger Limited, designed by Pod Architects and built by Brickwork Contractor Miller Homes.

 

Alan Dodd and Brick Awards 2025 Head Judge Jonathan Hall of Allford Hall Monaghan Morris Architects

 

On Friday 7th November, with thanks to Chairman Philip Parris, I accepted his invitation to meet the Wine Committee at Davy’s Factory House in Leadenhall Market where they planned to have their annual lunch.

Unfortunately, I was able to stay only a short time as I was on my way to Guildhall for the Silent Ceremony. On a very cold afternoon, I was warmly greeted with a glass of Champagne by Philip who introduced me to Francis Flavin and Angus Weir of Davy’s Wines. I won’t use this space to explain the workings of the Ts and Bs Wine Committee - but trust me, it’s a tough job and someone has to do it! At this meeting the members taste, test and mull over the choice of excellent wines we enjoy (and are always enjoyed by our discerning guests) at our Company events. Many wines are bought en primeur, then stored in Davy’s cellars to mature before being brought to our tables. The atmosphere was very convivial and Philip advised me the theme of this year’s lunch was wines from vintages ending ‘0’ or ‘5’. As well as tasting prospective wines for the Company to purchase, members had been invited to contribute something from their own cellars to share at lunch. Having finished my glass, I wished everyone bon appetit and braved the cold wind outside.

 

On the Friday before the second Saturday in November, the retiring Lord Mayor hands over to the Lord Mayor Elect. All of the Lord Mayor’s ceremonial regalia are presented to the incoming Lord Mayor or, as is the case this year, the Lady Mayor Elect. This is a non-transferable ticket-only affair and Guildhall was completely full. Thankfully, each Master, Prime Warden and Upper Bailiff is allocated one seat! They aren’t reserved, it’s first come-first served (or, when I was a lad, first up-best dressed!) Gowns were not required other than those of the officials taking part, so the dress code for me was a business suit. However, this was an event when Morning Dress, including top hat, could be worn. I was surprised by the number of men gathered in Guildhall Yard who had embraced the opportunity, although most were sans the hat! It is a serious occasion but with full on pomp and ceremony and, apart from the Declaration, the whole ceremony takes place in complete silence. The Declaration was signed with a quill pen. Dame Susan Langley DBE is the 697th person in the role, only the third woman and the first in history to take the title Lady Mayor. (Search Silent Ceremony City of London to see the whole thing on YouTube.)

 

Saturday 8th November 2025 The Lady Mayor’s Show For the Tylers and Bricklayers, representatives of other Livery Companies, and armed forces volunteers, the day starts at Ironmongers’ Hall with a buffet breakfast. The Clerk, Upper Warden David White and his wife Jann, Renter Warden Tom Christopherson and Court Assistant Martin Reading (carrying our placard) were ready and waiting, while I enjoyed a second mug of coffee. The weather promised to be kind. It was a little chilly but the sky was clear and bright. Dressed in our gowns and with badges and bonnets David, Tom, Martin, Heather and I made our way to the collection point at the rear of the Museum of London from where the Ancient Livery Companies’ walking float would start. Here we were delighted to be joined by Jenny and Nigel Rolls. The Show is the public start of the mayoral year. It’s been running for more than 800 years and is the biggest unrehearsed pageant in the world! We set off at 11.00am and, on passing the Lady Mayor and guests in the grandstand at Mansion House, the Ancient Liveries doffed their bonnets and gave three cheers. Once again, we Ts and Bs were captured on the BBC cameras! The route is three miles long and the procession takes 90 minutes to pass. Halfway round we took a short packed-lunch break at the church of St Dunstan-in-the-West on Fleet Street, while the Lady Mayor was in the Royal Courts of Justice swearing an oath of allegiance to the Crown. We then made our way to Temple Place to begin the second leg to return to Mansion House. Thanks to Past Master Ian Grimshaw for the photos.

 

L-R Upper Warden David White, Court Assistant Martin Reading, Master Alan Dodd, Renter Warden Tom Christopherson

 

On Sunday 9th November 2025 I attended the City of London Livery Companies’ Participation at A Service of Remembrance and the Commemoration of the Fallen held at St Paul’s Cathedral. Every Livery Company was represented as Masters, Prime Wardens and Upper Bailiffs in gowns and badges of office took our allocated seats beneath the dome in the north precept. Aldermen proceeded from the west end of the Cathedral to their places in the Quire. The Chapter, Choir, Headteacher, Minor Cannons and Priest Vicar proceeded to the west end of the Cathedral. The Lady Mayor was received by the Chapter at the Great West Door. The Very Reverend Andrew Tremlett, Dean of St Paul’s began with a prayer and welcome. The First lesson was read by Cadet Precious Vila, City of London Academy Islington (Honourable Artillery Company) Combined Cadet Force. The Second lesson was read by Alderwoman Dame Susan Langley DBE, The Right Honourable The Lady Mayor. Prayers were led by the Minor Canons and the Priest Vicar and, following the hymn O God, our Help in Ages Past, the Dean led the Commemoration of the Fallen. The Headteacher of St Paul’s Cathedral School, Judith Fremont-Barnes read, “They shall not grow old as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.” The Head Chorister responded with, “At the going down of the sun and in the morning - We will remember them. We will remember them. The Last Post was sounded. There was a two minutes silence. The Dean then said, “When you go home, tell them of us and say: For your tomorrow, we gave our today.” The congregation then received the Blessing from the Dean. The National Anthem was sung, followed by the Chapter escorting the Lady Mayor to the west end of the Cathedral. It was a moving and poignant service.

 

The Livery made their exit at the north transept before making their way to the steps of the Royal Exchange for the second part of the Commemoration. At the Royal Exchange war memorial, we were shepherded by the Beadle to the left-hand side below the steps. The Great Twelve were invited to stand at our front. At the top of the steps stood the band of the Grenadier Guards in greatcoats and bearskins, playing tunes appropriate to the occasion. A contingent of armed forces veterans took their places behind the Royal British Legion Colours. Other veterans were seated at the bottom of the steps on the right-hand side. With an honour guard from the Company of Pikemen & Musketeers preceding her arrival, the Lady Mayor took her place. One by one the poppy wreaths were reverently placed on and around the memorial. Prayers were said and the Last Post played. The ceremony ended.

 

Wednesday 19th November 2025 Lord Mayor’s annual Address to the Livery – The Egyptian Hall, Mansion House. On this occasion it was the Right Honourable The Lady Mayor of London Alderwoman Dame Susan Langley laying out her plans for her coming year in office. Aldermen, Sheriffs, Masters, Prime Wardens, Upper Bailiffs and their respective Clerks were invited to attend. The Clerk and I arrived in good time to have a seat near the front. Following a welcome and introduction by the Chair of the Livery Committee, the Lady Mayor welcomed everyone to Mansion House and gave an interesting and informative presentation. After the speeches l was able to have a very quick chat with a couple of other Masters at the more informal drinks reception before leaving to travel to Westminster for my next engagement.

 

Wednesday 19th November 2025 8th Corps of Royal Engineers Awards for Engineering Excellence at The Institution of Civil Engineers, One Great George Street. Having recently celebrated with the Company our 25-year affiliation with the Royal Engineers, I was delighted to receive an invitation to this event from the Chief Royal Engineer, Sir Chris Tickell KBE. It was my privilege to present the Worshipful Company of Tylers and Bricklayers inaugural Construction Award to 21 Engineer Regiment. I was joined by Chairman of the Royal Engineers Working Group, Colonel (Retired) Ian Ogden to whom I am very grateful for his full and excellent report on the evening that is available in the ‘Events’ section of the website.

 

Thursday 20th November 2025 SKILLBUILD NATIONAL FINAL

“SkillBuild is a celebration of craftsmanship, commitment and the bright future of construction. It shows the power of training and apprenticeships to open doors, build confidence and shape rewarding careers.” Tim Balcon CITB Chief Executive.

 

I could not agree more with the statement above and its sentiment. Our crafts were very well represented and, wow, was I impressed! The standard of workmanship and attention to detail demonstrated by the young men and women finalists was outstanding. I arrived with plenty of time to look at all of the exhibits and speak to some of the judges, who each said how close the competition was this year. Ten trades were represented with eight finalists in each category. I was invited to present certificates to the Roof Slating & Tiling finalists where the Company was well represented by CA Andy Rowlands, his son Ben - who will be admitted as a Freeman at the next Court meeting - and Freemen Stuart Black and Bob Coutts. Lots of photos were taken, mostly by proud parents! The winner was Samuel Jinks of Dalton Roofing. The judges in the Bricklaying competition were having a real challenge. The standard of workmanship was excellent meaning every detail was closely inspected and discussed before their decision to announce Freddy Ford of the Building Craft College as the winner. There were more photographs with the finalists and I was joined by CA and Chairman of the Craft Committee Ian Wilson. Mrs Jacqui Wilson kindly took the photos. We then moved to the Wall & Floor Tiling section. Once again, I was amazed by the quality of work on display. One element that received numerous positive comments was the optical illusion created using monochrome tiles. The winner in this craft discipline was Sam Durham of ADB Ceramics. Jacqui took some more photos. It was good to see Paul Doran, known to many Ts and Bs as he is a former tutor of past SkillBuild winners from Northern Ireland and a guest at our Craft Awards. Paul was the Lead Judge in this category.

 

BCC Best Bricklaying Student 2025 Harrison Wilshire

 

Tuesday 25th November 2025 Along with other Masters in the Liveries Construction Group I was invited to attend the Plastering and Interior Trades Training Awards at Plaisterers’ Hall. The event was hosted by Philippa Tuttiett, former Wales International rugby player, television presenter, sports pundit and owner of her own building company - one with an all-female workforce. She gave a moving and motivating presentation with anecdotes about her own experiences, not only as an elite sportswoman but also as what she referred to as being a “builder builder!” John Telling the Master Plaisterer, and the President of the Finishes and Interiors Sector Ian Strangward, presented prizes celebrating the achievements of apprentices and students who have exceeded expectations while also recognising mentors and rising stars forging a career in the sector.

 

On the evening of Tuesday 25th November 2025, I was at Carpenters’ Hall for the Building Craft College Graduation and Prizegiving Ceremony. The Carpenters’ Company founded the College in 1893 so it was appropriate that Master Carpenter Lawrence Mallinson presented the prizes following a short and motivational speech. He was introduced by the College Principal Ms Selina Bolingbroke. The Main Hall was full and included many proud parents and tutors. It was a pleasure to see four bricklaying students graduate at Level II and that one of them, Harrison Wilshire was announced as the winner of the Best Bricklaying Student Prize. Incidentally, the EE Smith Award for Carpentry Level II was won by Patrick Newcombe who now works for Fullers Builders Limited.

 

Alan Dodd MSc FRSA - Master