The Livery Newsletter and Gazette Issue 29 Summer 2018 | Page 3

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
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
It was a great honour to be installed as Master of the Worshipful
Company
Tobacco
Pipe Makers
and trooped
back to of the
quarterdeck
where &
Coffee,
Tobacco Blenders, the sixty fifth Master since the re-formation
this
historic
Livery us
Company
in 1954. that
The
Cigars, of
and
Cognac
awaited
(I did mention
tobacco industry and business in the City of London have
transformed
beyond
recognition
since
that and
time.
our
Livery enjoyed
dining
on the High
C’s..)
However, I would like to think that the founding fathers which
would seemed
be proud
their Company
has
to of
hit the
the place
mark that
– Liveryman
Jemma
earned for itself through the work, energy and generosity Freeman
of its members,
led provided
by my illustrious
predecessors,
had kindly
the torpedo
cigars
over the many decades that have passed. Whilst it has adapted
to had
the modern
age, in
the souvenir
Company
upholds
and had
them placed
tubes
with our
their traditions and continues to exude the confidence, humour
and bonhomie
stems
the sported
world of
Crest emblazoned
on it. that
Several
of from
us also
tobacco today as it did then. It is my mission to sustain and
progress
this great
to the
of my ability
a limited
edition
Livery legacy
Smoking
hat best
- originally
in my term of office.
conceived as a sort of shooting hat, it serves its
purpose so well as a “team” hat, that of the twenty
And so it began at Saddlers’ Hall on a fine June day
The excellent weather permitted us to hold the
ordered, but one remained by the close of the day!
for the Installation; a time-honoured ceremony
Reception before lunch outdoors in the bower-like
Thank you to the Master Mariners for allowing us the
perfectly executed by the players under the guiding
courtyard of Saddlers’ Hall. It was an opportunity for
use of the venue, to Tim for be ing a perfect Principal
hands of the Learned Clerk and the Immediate Past
guests to assemble, take a drink and get acquainted
Guest, and for everyone attending and giving my
Master. Once installed, it was my pleasure to appoint with Company members and other guests. For those
year such a special start.
the Wardens, Andrew Golding (Senior), Adam
so inclined, it was also an opportunity to sample
Bennett (Renter), Jerry Merton (Third) and Paul
some fine cigars from the humidors of Hunters &
Taberer (Fourth) all of whom are excellently qualified Frankau. The sunshine and welcoming setting were
The to
Master
for their roles. I am looking forward to working with so intoxicating that it almost seemed a shame
this team in the coming year. It was also with great
break the party for Lunch! But, like all good things…
pride that I presented my wife with the Mistress’
We were honoured to be joined at Lunch by Ann
Jewel, her own badge to wear when representing the
Buxton, Master Pewterer and Bryan Burrough,
Company. Sally is a Liveryman in her own right and
Master Distiller along with their respective Clerks.
is the third lady in the Merton family to be Mistress.
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