The Livery Newsletter and Gazette Issue 30 Spring 2019 | Page 12

The Carol Service
The lunch was deliciously catered by Mark Grove
It’s the most wonderful time of the year!... and, as is traditionally
the case,
the Tobacco
and his team
at Cook
& Butler Pipe
and we cracked
Makers celebrated together with a Carol Service led by our
Honorary
Chaplain,
The
Reverend
along at a goodly pace. Our guests were admirably
Canon David Parrott, at St Lawrence Jewry in Guildhall introduced
Yard. With by
David’s
blessing,
Past
Liveryman
Fran
Morrison and our
Master Mark Gower-Smith arranged a beautiful Order of Principal
Service that
was
delivered
with
Guest, Tim Wonnacott the
gave a generous and
support of The Sevenoaks School Choir conducted by Michael
Heighway reply
and to
the which
much I sought
very humorous
responded initially
after organist, Catherine Ennis.
by drenching poor Tim in a glass of water - he was
very kind about it (sorry Tim!). I was very pleased
The Sevenoaks Choir sang outstanding hymns
to show off the newly found Livery Grant of Arms
including a medieval Spanish villancico, ‘Ríu, Ríu,
and Letters Patent which have been missing for many
Chíu’ which was a real treat. The congregation was
years - our Clerk tenaciously sought them out, and
invited to sing traditional carols - Once in Royal
the new Immediate Past Master, Chris Allen, and his
David’s City, The Holly and the Ivy, The First Nowell
IPM, Mark Gower-Smith have funded a beautiful re-
and a hearty Hark! The Herald Angels Sing. I am
presentation and they are now resplendent in frames
pleased to report that the Tobacco Pipe Makers were
carved with tobacco leaves (or close to); Sandra also
in good voice, doing justice to the magnificent setting
located a huge banner not seen since 1985 and Angus
of the church and the organ playing.
Menzies, Clerk to the Master Mariners and never shy
of a challenge saw to it that it was displayed on the
The Honorary Chaplain made his address on the
importance of names and how we know one another Quarterdeck.
by having them. Referring to an earlier reading
Whilst all this was going on, apparently biblical-
of St John as he unfolds the great mystery of the
style downpours were being had all over London
incarnation, he taught us that Word was God and
- oblivious to all that drama we ended our lunch
that the Word also refers to Jesus Christ in the verses.
and trooped back to the quarterdeck where Coffee,
In making his point, David played with his own
Cigars, and Cognac awaited us (I did mention that
surname, Parrott, and showed us the many gifts that
our Livery enjoyed dining on the High C’s..) and
he had received over the years representing parrots
which seemed to hit the mark – Liveryman Jemma
including a fine parrot hat. One young member of the
Freeman had kindly provided the torpedo cigars
congregation got somewhat confused and thought it
and had had them placed in souvenir tubes with our
more resembled a duck much to the chagrin of the
Crest emblazoned on it. Several of us also sported
Honorary Chaplain. But the spat ended well, as it
a limited edition Livery Smoking hat - originally
should at this time of peace and good will to all men
conceived as a sort of shooting hat, it serves its
(and children...).
purpose so well as a “team” hat, that of the twenty
one each
remained
the close of the day!
With the Carol Service over, the congregation stayed for ordered,
a time to but
enjoy
others’ by company
Thank
the December
Master Mariners
along with a glass of wine and mince pies before dispersing
into you
the to
crisp
night. for allowing us the
of the
venue, to bade
Tim farewell
for being
a perfect Principal
Once things had been tidied at the church, the remaining use
Court
members
and
Guest,
and
for
everyone
attending
and be giving my
Christmas good wishes to the church staff and the Honorary Chaplain who will forever more
year such a special start.
known as Duckie!
The Master
Roger Brookes
Master
12
3