The Livery Newsletter and Gazette Issue 28 Winter 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.
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
At the time of writing, I have completed the first five and
The trepidation
lifted
once in I souvenir
was installed.
have our
had had them
placed
tubes I with
months of my year. There is always some degree of
some hard
acts to follow,
we have of enjoyed
several
Crest
emblazoned
on it. Several
us also sported
trepidation as one gets close to the Installation Court. a Masters
have Livery
taken Smoking
the Company
forward
limited who
edition
hat - originally
After much planning, in consultation with our
and
stamped
their
own
personalities
on
the role
conceived as a sort of shooting hat, it serves
its of
Clerk, Sandra Stocker, and my soon to be Mistress,
Master. Charles
Miller
had hat,
a magnificent
and
purpose
so well as
a “team”
that of the year
twenty
Maureen, the halls are booked for my year and the
raised
the
profile
of
our
Company
amongst
his
fellow
ordered, but one remained by the close of the day!
principal guests have been identified. After several
masters.
I am
still Master
asked if
I am carrying
snuff when
Thank
you
to the
Mariners
for allowing
us the
years on the Court and the years of progressing
I use
go of
to the
various
functions
(I
try
to
remember
my
silver
venue, to Tim for being a perfect Principal
through the ranks of Warden, I felt ready for the
snuff
box
each
time
I
take
my
Master’s
badge
out
Guest, and for everyone attending and giving my
job. I had also spent the previous three years as
with such
me). a special start.
year
Secretary to the Benevolent Fund and had a good
With a June installation, the Master hits the deck
understanding of what I regard as a key element
running but there would be speed bumps ahead. The
of the Livery movement. It is impossible to justify
Master
day before the Installation Court, I had the The
pleasure
the dinners, badges, robes and processions without
of
presenting
the
Tobacco
Specialist
of
the
Year
demonstrating the work and fundraising the Livery
movement provides to so many worthy causes. I was award at the AITS lunch held in the Long Room at
grateful to the Trustees for permitting me to continue Lords. Roger Merton’s tireless organization each
year ensures that this function raises much needed
to be Secretary during my Master’s year.
funds for the Welfare Fund. This year’s guest speaker
The Master’s Year
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