The Livery Newsletter and Gazette Issue 26 Winter 2016 | Page 2

The lunch was deliciously catered by Mark Grove
and his team at Cook & Butler and we cracked
along at a goodly pace. Our guests were admirably
introduced by Liveryman Fran Morrison and our
Principal Guest, Tim Wonnacott gave a generous and
very humorous reply to which I responded initially
by drenching poor Tim in a glass of water - he was
very kind about it (sorry Tim!). I was very pleased
to show off the newly found Livery Grant of Arms
and Letters Patent which have been missing for many
years - our Clerk tenaciously sought them out, and
the new Immediate Past Master, Chris Allen, and his
IPM, Mark Gower-Smith have funded a beautiful representation and they are now resplendent in frames
carved with tobacco leaves (or close to); Sandra also
located a huge banner not seen since 1985 and Angus
Putting the
Company
events to
one side,and
I would
Menzies,
Clerk
to the Master
Mariners
never shy
say
that
being
a
Master
has
(once
the
title
and
of a challenge saw to it that it was displayed onrole
the
has settled) been, and is being, a great honour - one
Quarterdeck.
sees and does so much that is the preserve of a tiny
Whilst
all this ceremonies
was going on,
apparently
biblicalelite – ancient
and
services, many
fine
style
downpours
were
being
had
all
over
London
receptions and lectures, all tumble across ones’ desk.
-Asoblivious
to Master
all that drama
we ended
lunchas
a working
I have tried
to doour
as many
and
trooped
tomy
theblog
quarterdeck
where
Coffee,
possible
and back
I hope
will provide
testament
Cigars,
and
Cognac
awaited
us
(I
did
mention
that
to this, but there are occasions where to my great
our
Livery
enjoyed
dining
on the
High C’s..)
and are
regret,
it’s simply
not
possible
to support
– these
which
seemed
to
hit
the
mark
–
Liveryman
Jemma
few, and I am grateful for having such a useful set of
Freeman
kindly provided
cigars
Wardens had
supporting
me as we the
havetorpedo
been represented
and
had had
them
placed
souvenir
tubes
with
by either
them
or the
IPM,inChris
Allen,
which
is our
a
Crest
emblazoned
on
it.
Several
of
us
also
sported
great relief. In addition, I’m further supported by
aanlimited
edition
Smoking
hatenvy
- originally
excellent
teamLivery
– our Clerk
is the
of many
conceived
as
a
sort
of
shooting
hat,
it
serves
its
Companies and with good reason – as the Lord
purpose
so well
a “team”
hat, that
of the
twenty
Mayor said
in hisasrecent
address
to the
Livery
“It’s a
ordered,
butwelcome
one remained
by of
thethe
close
of important
the day!
pleasure to
over 100
most
Thank
you
to
the
Master
Mariners
for
allowing
us the
and influential people in the City of London – and
use
ofof
theyou
venue,
Timbrought
for being
a perfect
some
haveto
even
your
MastersPrincipal
with
Guest,
and
for
everyone
attending
and
giving
my
you!” She in turn is supported by Ian, the Assistant
year
such
specialhe
start.
Clerk,
whoa before
joined our little band was a
“Livery Virgin” – to an outsider, this world can seem
perhaps a little bizarre, eccentric even, but Ian has
taken it all under his wing and getting on nicely;
We
The Master
are also fortunate in our Beadle - also learning on
the job, Mark has grown into his new role and, in my
opinion, “came of age” at our October Banquet for
keep it running to time so well. So thanks indeed to
all three of our excellent staffers, we’re lucky to have

Masterly Impressions
The Learned Clerk has requested a few impressions
of my year to date and I am, as ever, happy to oblige.
Because our Livery progresses the Chair in early
June, the incoming Master is propelled into a short
whirlwind of activity before summer provides a
proportionate break. In some respects the whirlwind
works because whatever follows seems positively
relaxed! Within 48 hours of being installed, the
Mistress and I were in Ironbridge (a Masters
jamboree for all serving at the date of the weekend)
with black and white tie, patent leather shoes and a
good stock of cigars. It was here we met and soon
cemented friendships with other Masters and whom
we have seen many times since. By its nature this
piece has to be subjective, and so from a purely
selfish vantage point, I really enjoyed my Installation
– everyone was very kind (or tolerant) and with a
great speaker in Tim Wonnacott, good cigars and
cognac, what’s to object to? As I am technically the
“host” at our Company functions and like any host,
I want all guests – members and friends, to have as
good a time as possible – that’s partly why we’re here
after all. I think I can safely say that this has applied
to all of the internal Company events to date – the
September Court dinner was notable for its large
turnout and fine after dinner cigar; and the October
Ladies Banquet was a joy in having so much space,
the use of a magnificent organ and partially covered
courtyard for one for one of the liveliest stirrup cups
I can recall!
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