The Illuminated River Project - Company of Watermen and Lightermen
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The Newsletter of The Company of Watermen and Lightermen of The River Thames
Volume 4 – Issue 18 The Illuminated River Project
A Message from the
Watermen’s Hall Staff
We have had our Carol Service and
we are now into our Freemen’s
Christmas Lunches. Christmas is
getting closer, so can we wish all
Freemen a very Merry Christmas
and a Healthy Happy and
Prosperous New Year.
Forthcoming Events
JANUARY 2020
8th Quarterly Court & Luncheon
10th River Thames Lunch Club
13th Court of Bindings
21st Burns Night Celebrations Photo: www.livetts.co.uk
28th Doggett’s Emblem Dinner The Illuminated River Project is currently underway in London and will, on completion,
FEBRUARY 2020 incorporate up to 15 bridges from Albert Bridge to Tower Bridge. At 2.5 miles in length,
3rd PQs Annual Luncheon it will be the longest public art commission in the World.
7th Journeyman Freemen’s Dinner London architects Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands, together with American light artist Leo
14th River Thames Lunch Club Villareal, were the winners of a competition to light up London’s bridges using modern
18th Annual Dinner at Fishmongers’ kinetic artwork, coupled with respect for the local environment, inhabitants and also the
Hall character and history of all the bridges.
MARCH 2020 The idea was originally conceived by Hannah Rothschild and developed by the
11th Film & Supper Fundraiser Rothschild Foundation in partnership with the Mayor of London. It is funded mainly
13th River Thames Lunch Club through private philanthropic sources including The Rothschild Foundation, Arcadia,
19th Freemen’s Luncheon The Blavatnik Family Foundation and the Bridge House Estates of the City of London
27th United Guilds Service & Corporation. The first phase started in 2019 and phases each year are planned up to 2022
Luncheon depending on funding.
29th The Boat Races
I first heard of the scheme at a presentation on the life and history of the Thames at
APRIL 2020 Southwark Cathedral last year. The sheer size and ambition of the project impressed me
1st Quarterly Court & Luncheon and I have been watching it develop since. A recent trip on the Thames Clipper to the
17th River Thames Lunch Club Museum of London Docklands and back enabled me to see the project on London Bridge
19th Tudor Pull and Blackfriars Bridge once the sun had set and it was worth the journey! This time of
23rd Masters & Clerks Luncheon year, with the nights gathering in, you can get a view quite early and you don’t have to be
28th Freemen’s St. George’s Day on the river itself as great views can be obtained from the banks.
Luncheon
Leo Villareal describes his own work as: “responding to the movement, colour and
cultural activity in the surrounding area. The artwork uses 7kw electricity instead of the
18kw electricity used in the previous lighting scheme”.
Take a look in the coming weeks whether you are on or by the River!
For more information: www.illuminatedriver.london
Gary Painter, Craft Owning Freeman and registered City of London Tour Guide
Colin C. Middlemiss
December 2019
Volume 4 – Issue 18 February 2002
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
Quarterly Court & Luncheon – Wednesdays, 8th January and 1st April 2020
Once Court members and their guests are accommodated, there are usually a few places available for Craft OwningFreemen
who would like to attend a Court Luncheon. Please let Martin know if you would like to apply for a place on a first come,
first served basis. Lunch is £75.00 per person, including VAT.
Court of Bindings – Monday, 13th January 2020
Any Freeman interested in apprenticing a young person training to become a Waterman and Lighterman should contact
Kelly Lesurf, Training Administrator, at Watermen’s Hall.
Burns’ Night Celebrations – Tuesday, 21st January 2020
This popular event always sells out fast. Please book early with Martin at Watermen’s Hall to avoid disappointment. Open
to all Freemen. Tickets are £90.00 for Freemen, their partners and guests.
Doggett’s Emblem & Rowing Awards Dinner – Tuesday 28th January 2020
This informal family evening is the Company’s opportunity to acknowledge Mr Patrick Keech, winner of the 305th
Doggett’s Coat and Badge Wager and his fellow competitors, James Berry, Jack Finelli and George Gilbert. The
Fishmongers’ Company present all the competitors with Doggett’s medals and the Company present lapel badges. The
opportunity is taken also to acknowledge the winners of other rowing events over the last year, particularly the winner of
the Ben Woollacott Memorial Sculls at Henley, Max Carter-Miller and the most improved sculler, Scarlett Barnett-Smith..
All Freemen are welcome and Apprentices and young Freemen are particularly encouraged to attend this event. Freemen
and guests £50.00 for two courses. Special reduced rate for Apprentices £20.00 – link to booking form is available on the
website www.watermenscompany.com
PQs Annual Luncheon – Monday, 3rd February 2020
For members of the Postquincentennials Club only.
Journeyman Freemen & Partners’ Dinner – Friday, 7th February 2020
The Company wants to encourage Journeymen Freemen to come and use their Hall. This Dinner with two courses
including wine is being subsidised by the Company. Tickets for the dinner would be £45 a head with Freemen invited to
bring wives, partners or guests. Dress code is jacket and tie.
Watermen’s Company Annual Dinner @ Fishmongers’ Hall – Tuesday, 18th February 2020
Always very popular, the larger venue of Fishmongers’ Hall enables Craft Owning Freemen to bring their business guests
and/or their partners to this prestigious black-tie event.
38th Annual Inter-Livery Bridge Competition – Monday, 2nd March 2020 – save the date.
See Application and Entry Form attached.
Film & Supper Fundraiser – Wednesday, 11th March 2020 – save the date.
At Sands Cinema at 82, St Marychurch St, Rotherhithe, London SE16 4HZ followed by supper nearby. There will be a
film about our River and the Port of London. Full details and an application form for tickets will follow in the New Year.
Freemen’s Luncheon – Thursday, 19th March 2020
These luncheons are open to all Freemen and their guests. Dress is lounge suits. Lunch is £79 per person, including VAT.
Booking form to follow.
United Guilds Service & Luncheon – Friday, 27th March 2020
This St Paul’s Cathedral Service was introduced just after the last World War to lift the spirits of Livery Companies and
Working Guilds. St Paul’s is always full and it is an uplifting Service. A short stroll back to Watermen’s Hall for lunch. It is
a lovely day out. Space is very limited in the Church and at the Hall so please indicate now if you want to attend. Court
members have priority, then recently admitted Craft Owning Freemen.
Freemen’s St. George’s Day Luncheon – Tuesday, 28th April 2020
To celebrate our Patron Saint come to the St George’s Luncheon. Open to Craft Owning Freemen and their guests. Tickets
will be £79.00. Booking information will be available nearer the time.
26th Inter Livery Clay Shoot –Thursday 14th May 2020 – save the date.
At Holland & Holland Shooting Grounds – please contact Junior Warden Ted Gradosielski BEM if you want to join the
Watermen’s Company team - ted.grad@thechapelbarn.com
Watermen’s Clothing
In conjunction with Ascot Promotions we
are now able to offer a range of clothing
bearing the Company Crest, currently
fleeces and polo shirts for both men and
women and baseball caps. There is a link
to order via the website
www.watermenscompany.com
December 2019
Havengore Remembrance Day Service
Monday, 11th November 2019
Courtesy of Christopher Ryland, owner of the Havengore,
the Master, Wardens and their partners together with other
guests were invited to remember those who lost their lives
fighting for their country. The Service was conducted by the
Revd Canon Roger Hall MBE, Chaplain to Her Majesty and
the Tower of London. The Service is held afloat off
Westminster Palace and a specially constructed and
dissolvable wreath was laid in the Thames by the Master of
the Master Mariners, Capt. Jim Barclay.
The Master and Mistress, Tony and Sue Maynard, pictured with
the Master Mariner, Capt. Jim Barclay, were attended by the
Bargemaster, Robert Coleman, and Doggett’s Winners Jack Keech
(2017), Ben Folkard (2016), Patrick Keech (2019) and Dan
Arnold (2010).
Photo: John Adams
Draw Off Walk
Friday, 15th November 2019
Over 25 apprentices and Watermen enjoyed a rather damp
Draw Off Walk.
They were given a guided tour of the workings at
Teddington Lock and also a tour and talk by Mark
Edwards MBE at Richmond Bridge Boathouses about
wherries and skiffs and watched traditional boat building
in action.
Photo: Alex Hickman
Ladies’ Christmas Luncheon
On 9th December Christmas came to Watermen’s Hall. Our annual Ladies’
luncheon took place with a full house! Before going into luncheon, a ‘preloved’
sale was held in the Silver Room with a great selection of hats, scarves and
jewellery on offer. After our sparkling reception we then moved into the newly
refurbished Freemen’s Room and received a very warm welcome from Mrs
Nicky Smallbone, Chair of the Ladies’ Committee and Mrs Sue Maynard, the
Mistress. We dined on venison, beautifully prepared by Cook and Butler who
looked after us very well. Our now traditional raffle raised over £700.00 for the
charity with the auction and sale of the flowers adding further funds to the pot.
The Freemen’s Room had been decked with Christmas decorations by members
of the Ladies’ Committee and looked stunning. A really special event.
Carol Ratcliffe, Assistant Clerk
Photo: Cook and Butler
Volume 4 – Issue 18 December 2019
Freemen’s Room set for River Thames
Lunch Club
The Newsletter of The
Company of Watermen
and Lightermen of
The River Thames
Contacting
the Hall
Colin Middlemiss
(Clerk)
020 7929 7451
clerk@watermenshall.org
Carol Ratcliffe
(Assistant Clerk)
020 7929 7456
carol@watermenshall.org
Martin Laws
(Hall Manager and
Company Events)
020 7929 7453
martin@watermenshall.org
River Thames Lunch Club – Fridays, 10th January, 14th February, 13th March &
Susan Fenwick
17th April 2020
Open to all, both Craft Owning and Journeyman Freemen, Apprentices, their guests and
(Administrator)
the general public. A five-course tasting menu with matching wines for £60.00 per person, 020 7929 7455
admin@watermenshall.org
including VAT. Book with our inhouse caterers, Cook and Butler, on 020 7620 1818 or
cookandbutler@btconnect.com Kelly Lesurf
(Training Administrator)
020 7929 7452
Hatches, Matches & Dispatches training@watermenshall.org
Journeyman Freeman Geoffrey Neville Eyers passed away 23rd October 2019 aged 89 Alex Hickman
years. Geoff was born in Gravesend on 20th November 1929 and bound on 9th May (Training Officer)
1944. His master was his elder brother John (Jack) Leonard Eyers. Geoffrey gained his 07956 341482
Freedom of the Company on 8th January 1952. Having begun his career as a boy alex@watermenshall.org
delivering coal to Barking Power Station, he became a boy/mate on the sailing barge Lady
Gwynefred, then worked for Sun Tugs, spending time on Sun VI. He then joined W R Simon McCarthy
Cunis as mate of the tug WR until he was called up for National Service with the Inland (Rowing Officer)
Water Transport Division, returning to Cunis where he worked on the M T Wal, then as 07968 593842
master of the M T William Ryan and later lighterage foreman. Geoff was forced to take simon@simonmccarthy.com
early retirement following a serious car accident but remained a true river man. Robert Coleman
John Eyers (Bargemaster)
07710 466040
Journeyman Freeman Martin Samuel Spencer passed away on 26th November 2019 aged robbie@silverfleet.co.uk
71 years. He was born in Greenwich on 16th February 1948. He was bound as an
apprentice Waterman and Lighterman on 8th December 1964. On completion of his
Watermen’s Hall
apprenticeship he was admitted as a Journeyman Freeman on the 9th December 1969. He
16 St. Mary-at-Hill
won Doggett’s Coat and Badge Wager in 1970. He became a Waterman to Her Majesty London EC3R 8EF
The Queen on 4th November 1996. He was a long standing member and past Captain of Tel: 020 7283 2373
Poplar Blackwall and District Rowing Club. Fax: 020 7283 0477
www.watermenscompany.com
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