The Livery Newsletter and Gazette Issue 29 Summer 2018 | Page 8

A Review of the Last Year
At the conclusion of the February meeting of the
Benevolent Fund Trustees, three longstanding Trustees
retired. Under the Articles of Association, three
trustees are expected to offer their resignations each
year but they may put themselves forward for re-
election. The Articles also state that trustees should
not serve more than 9 years. The clock was started
in 2010 when the Welfare Fund and Benevolent Fund
were merged to form the structure we have today.
Past Masters Stephen Preedy and David Glynn-
Jones had served the Benevolent Fund and Welfare
Fund respectively for many years before the 2010
re-organisation. George Lankester also retired, after
serving
as a was
trustee
since 2008
and as
The lunch
deliciously
catered
by Chairman
Mark Grove
since
2012.
The
Court
expressed
its
gratitude
to
and his team at Cook & Butler and we cracked
three retiring Trustees, particularly to George for his
along at a goodly pace. Our guests were admirably
leadership, having presided over the Benevolent Fund
introduced by Liveryman Fran Morrison and our
as it has gone from strength to strength.
Principal Guest, Tim Wonnacott gave a generous and
very new
humorous
reply
which Mark
I responded
initially
Two
Trustees,
Past to Master
Gower-Smith
and
by drenching
Tim have
in a glass
water - he
Assistant
Tony poor
Scanlan,
been of
appointed
and was
Past
Master
Nigel
Rich it was
elected
Chairman.
very kind
about
(sorry
Tim!).
I was very pleased
to show off the newly found Livery Grant of Arms
At the time of writing, the accounts for the year to 31
and Letters Patent which have been missing for many
March 2018 were in the course of preparation. The
years - our Clerk tenaciously sought them out, and
following review is based on unaudited figures.
the new Immediate Past Master, Chris Allen, and his
IPM, Mark Gower-Smith have funded a beautiful re-
Financial highlights for the year ended 31 March 2018 presentation and they are now resplendent in frames
carved with tobacco leaves (or close to); Sandra also
a huge
seen since 1985 2017
and Angus
General Fund located
Welfare
Fund banner not
Total
Menzies, Clerk to the Master Mariners and never shy
Incoming resources
of a challenge saw to it that it was displayed on the
Donations
35,099
149,733
184,832
120,713
Quarterdeck.
Investment income
129,325
147,107
276,432
229,483
Whilst
all this was going
on, apparently biblical-
style downpours were being had all over London
23,385
- oblivious to all that drama we ended our lunch
296,840
461,264
373,581
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
191,939
328,139
317,478
which seemed to hit the mark – Liveryman Jemma
61,716
78,711 the torpedo 65,335
Freeman
had kindly provided
cigars
253,655
406,850
382,813
and had
had them placed
in souvenir tubes
with our
Crest emblazoned on it. Several of us also sported
a limited
Smoking
hat - the
originally
Each
new edition
freeman Livery
contracts
to support
Benevolent
conceived
as
a
sort
of
shooting
hat,
it
serves
its
Fund and that obligation continues for life. The
purpose urge
so well
as a “team”
hat, that
the twenty
Trustees
everyone
to review
their of contributions
ordered,
but basis.
one remained
by the close
of have
the day!
on
a regular
Where standing
orders
lapsed,
Thank
you
to
the
Master
Mariners
for
allowing
us the
they should be renewed or replaced by a direct debit.
use of
the even
venue,
for being
perfect donation.
Principal
You
may
wish to to Tim
increase
your a annual
Please
Clerk or attending
Secretary and
of the
Benevolent
Guest, contact
and for the
everyone
giving
my
Fund
if you a special
need forms
year such
start. or help.
Undertakings to repay
Total
164, 424
Expenditure
Charitable activities 136,200
Governance & costs 16,995
Total 153,195
Donations
Donations increased significantly, due mainly to the
timing of contributions to the Welfare Fund from
the three main UK tobacco companies. The level of
donations from liverymen and freemen continue to
be a cause for concern. While many liverymen and
freemen have adopted the direct debit system to make
their donations, there is a large number who have
had standing order arrangements which have lapsed.
Benevolence is a key element of the livery movement
and we have much to be proud of when we look at
the support we have given many worthy causes over
recent decades. There is much more we can do if
more members of the Livery review and reinstate their
donations. With the use of Gift Aid, we can make your
donations work harder.
When you review your Will, please consider a legacy
to the Tobacco Pipe Makers and Tobacco Trade
The Master
Benevolent Fund. You can instruct the Trustees
to
allocate the legacy to the General Fund or the Welfare
Fund. Legacies over £5,000 are invested as capital so
your gift will work for years to come. During the year,
there was a substantial legacy from the estate of one of
our Past Masters.
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