The Livery Newsletter and Gazette Issue 28 Winter 2017 | Page 9

Investment performance
In October 2016 , the Benevolent Fund ’ s investment portfolios stood at £ 7.4 million and £ 6.8 million in October 2015 . The funds rose above £ 8 million in September 2017 , despite the geo-political uncertainty brought about by Brexit , Trump , North Korea and the Middle East .
Key
Livery Co . Disadvantaged Youth Education Disabled Homeless
How are the funds distributed ?
At their August meeting , the Trustees review the various charities that receive support against the The guidelines lunch was agreed deliciously with the catered Court in by 2014 Mark . A Grove budget and is set his for team the following at Cook & year Butler and and commitments we cracked are along usually at made a goodly for up pace to . three Our guests years to were enable admirably the introduced charities plan by for Liveryman the medium Fran term Morrison . In addition and our , ad Principal hoc donations Guest may , Tim be Wonnacott made to the gave many a generous appeals that and very are received humorous . The reply Trustees to which meet I responded four times a initially year to by consider drenching appeals poor and Tim monitor in a glass the of performance water - he was of the very Benevolent kind about Fund it . ( The sorry causes Tim !). are I divided was very into pleased the to five show basic off categories the newly shown found below Livery . Grant of Arms and Letters Patent which have been missing for many years • There - our are Clerk certain tenaciously charities that sought a Livery them Company out , and is the expected new Immediate to support Past . Master , Chris Allen , and his IPM , Mark Gower-Smith have funded a beautiful representation and they are now resplendent in frames
• Disadvantaged youth .
carved • Education with tobacco leaves ( or close to ); Sandra also located • Disabled a huge banner not seen since 1985 and Angus Menzies • Homeless , 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 biblicalstyle 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 purpose so well as a “ team ” hat , that of the twenty ordered , but one remained by the close of the day ! Thank you to the Master Mariners for allowing us the use of the venue , to Tim for being a perfect Principal Guest , and for everyone attending and giving my year such a special start .
The Master
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