The Livery Newsletter and Gazette Issue 27 Summer 2017 | 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 re-
presentation 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
Menzies, Clerk to the Master Mariners and never shy
of a challenge saw to it that it was displayed on the
Quarterdeck.
Installation of the Master
Five years on the Court, four years on the GPC,
three years as Warden and three years as Secretary
to the Trustees of the Benevolent Fund should be
long enough to prepare anyone for their Master’s
year. However, as I start my year, there is a feeling of
trepidation and nervousness about following such an
outstanding Master. A key element of the job is to
represent our Livery in the City and there is no doubt
that Charles Miller is a past master when it comes to
selling the attractions of being a Tobacco Pipe Maker
and Tobacco Blender. Charles and Camilla have
been perfect ambassadors and I thank them for their
hard work over the last 12 months.
Whilst all this was going on, apparently biblical-
style downpours were being had all over London
- oblivious to all that drama we ended our lunch
and trooped back to the quarterdeck where Coffee,
Cigars, and Cognac awaited us (I did mention that
our Livery enjoyed dining on the High C’s..) and
which seemed to hit the mark – Liveryman Jemma
Freeman had kindly provided the torpedo cigars
and had had them placed in souvenir tubes with our
Crest emblazoned on it. Several of us also sported
a limited edition Livery Smoking hat - originally
conceived as a sort of shooting hat, it serves its
The two most
important
elements
to of
a successful
purpose
so well
as a “team”
hat, that
the twenty
Master’s
year
are
a
supportive
Consort/Mistress
and a
ordered, but one remained by the close of the day!
good Clerk.
am Master
blessed Mariners
with a wonderful
wife us
who
Thank
you to I the
for allowing
the
is
looking
forward
to
the
year
with
great
enthusiasm
use of the venue, to Tim for being a perfect Principal
and the and
Livery
is blessed attending
with an extraordinary
Clerk
Guest,
for everyone
and giving my
who, such
through
hard start.
work and close attention to detail,
year
a special
makes it happen.
Looking forward to my year, I have the support of
four excellent wardens: Roger Brookes, Andrew
Golding, Adam Bennett and Jerry Merton. I am
confident that they will keep me on track and
provide the support to ensure the Court and GPC
work effectively. Our Honorary Chaplain, David
Parrott, contacted me before the Installation and
Maureen and I had lunch with David and Sue to “get
to know each other”. David provides a safety net
for any incoming Master. He has an unparalleled
knowledge of the Livery movement and will provide
wise counsel in case of need. He is an immeasurable
asset to our Livery and time in his company is always
an uplifting experience.
Our Livery faces some significant issues. We have
around 170 members so there is headroom The
to Master
increase our membership. I am open to suggestions
about making the Livery more inclusive. There is
more to the Livery movement than three or four
dinners a year. The Benevolent Fund lies at the heart
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