The Livery Newsletter and Gazette Issue 29 Summer 2018 | Page 24

Tobacco Pipe Makers and Blenders Golf Day
On 11th June 2018, the annual Livery golf day was
once again held at the very beautiful and pretty Surrey
course of Tandridge, in the rolling hills near Oxted.
As per tradition this event is organised by Past Master
Derek Harris and there is no-one who can better his
skill, warmth and selfless ability to lay on such a great
day.
On arrival we registered and received some very useful
golfing gear – sweets, tees, balls, lovely score card
sleeve and a fantastic golfing cap (for members of the
Company) with the livery logo and the year 1619 – the
first inception of the Company – amazing work Derek
who, as usual, put enormous thought and effort into
the day.
After registration some tea and coffee and a bacon roll
and general mingling ahead of play…and a chance to
meet many members after a long time.
It was warm, sunny and dry – ideal golfing conditions
on the beautiful golf course…which some took
advantage of and others simply enjoyed!
There were 11 Company Liverymen/Freemen and eight
guests participating and flogging it out for one of the
several (BAT sponsored) magnificent magnums of
bubbly, red and rose!
One guest was celebrity Len Goodman (Strictly Come
Dancing Judge), an avid golfer and cigar smoker!
The Master and Mistress kindly joined us golfers for
drinks, lunch and prize giving – following their very
busy weekend in Ironbridge.
Most of us took on the par 3-challenge for some
vouchers from the pro-shop and that meant some
browsing there after play – what a well-stocked shop it
is!
Compliments
go to the
management
green
The lunch was must
deliciously
catered
by Mark and
Grove
staff
for team
presenting
a very
well conditioned
golf course.
and his
at Cook
& Butler
and we cracked
Moreover
Tandridge
lived
up
to
its
reputation
of
along at a goodly pace. Our guests were admirably
providing
us
with
a
superb
spread
for
lunch
from
its
introduced by Liveryman Fran Morrison and our
quality
kitchen…and
of us indulged
in a spoon and
Principal
Guest, Tim most
Wonnacott
gave a generous
(or
3)
of
its
signature
‘Tandridge’
pudding!
very humorous reply to which I responded initially
by drenching
poor introduced
Tim in a glass
of water
- he was
Past
Master Derek
the start
to prize
very kind
it (sorry
Tim!). I the
was prizes
very and
pleased
giving
with about
The Master
presenting
to
show
off
the
newly
found
Livery
Grant
of
Arms
the magnificent Charles Rich Cup, which this year
and won
Letters
Patent which
been
missing
for many
was
by Liveryman
Jeff have
Jeffery
– who
had an
years
-
our
Clerk
tenaciously
sought
them
out,
and
outstanding front 9 – congratulations!
the new Immediate Past Master, Chris Allen, and his
Very
thanks to Derek
for funded
his devoted
IPM, special
Mark Gower-Smith
have
a beautiful re-
organisation
the they
day. are
He now
no doubt
had much
presentation of
and
resplendent
in frames
assistance and support from his lovely wife Sheila, and
carved with tobacco leaves (or close to); Sandra also
our thanks to her too.
located a huge banner not seen since 1985 and Angus
Menzies,
Master to
Mariners
and
shy
Next
year’s Clerk
event to is the
scheduled
take place
at never
the same
of a challenge
saw 10th
to it June
that 2019.
it was displayed on the
venue
on Monday
Quarterdeck.
Warden biblical-
Paul Taberer
Whilst all this was going Fourth
on, apparently
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
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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