The Liveryman Review 2016-2017 - City Livery Club
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Council 2016-2017 L to R. Clerk: Liz Wicksteed – Hon. Solicitor: Keith Baker – Senior VP: Paul Herbage – President: Alderman John Garbutt Junior VP: Dr Trevor Brignall – Hon. Treasurer: Graham Lovelock – Hon. Secretary: Adèle Thorpe Officers and Clerk: Elected Members of Council: • President: • Prof.Trevor Beedham MBBS BDS FRCOG Hon DSc Alderman John Garbutt KFO JP FRSA FCSI FRGS BSc(Econ) • Alan Cook CStS • Senior Vice-President: Paul Herbage MBE CStJ • Capt Arthur Creighton FRIN • Junior Vice-President: • Julie Fox Dr Trevor Brignall PhD DBA MA MBA DMS DipM CIOM • Prof James Kelly • Hon. Secretary: Adèle Thorpe • Tony Lofts • Hon. Solicitor: Keith Baker LLB FCIL • Richard Model • Hon. Treasurer: Graham Lovelock FNZICA BCom FIoD • Judith Pleasance CC MA(Hons) • Immediate Past President: John MacCabe ACII • Dr Christine Rigden BSc PhD FGS Cgeol • Clerk: Liz Wicksteed BA (Hons) • Nicholas Somers • Dr Keith Williams BSc(Econ) MA PhD Past Presidents With Voting Rights: • Graham Withers ACII – Chartered Insurer • Michael Hudson CC • Judy Tayler-Smith BA DipEgy FSA SCOT Standing invitation to attend: • Neil G.M.Redcliffe BSc(Econ) MBA FCA • Asst Hon. Treasurer: Simon Bentley • Alderman Sir David Wootton MA • John MacCabe ACII The Liveryman Review 2016-2017
Contents Origins of “The Liveryman” President’s review.............................................................................................................. 2 President’s diary 2016-2017....................................................................................................... 3 T he 1st Edition, Volume 1 Number 1, of the Incoming President’s agenda..................................................................................................... 4 Club’s magazine was dated February 1916: List of Officers & Council - 2017-18................................................................................... 5 it documented the ‘Origins of the First Complete Year’ by Harry Hughes and listed the war work roll of honour of members. Event Reviews Installation Dinner - 27 October 2016............................................................................. 6 The 2nd Edition was not published until 1922, Supreme Court tour - 24 November 2016................................................................... 8 having been interrupted by the intervening war years. Among the articles were the details of the luncheon Christmas Carol Service & Lunch - 14 December 2016................................ 9 held on Monday, 19 June at the Holborn restaurant Burns Night - 27 January 2017.............................................................................................. 10 6/- each, and the annual subscription 10/6 due 1 July ENO (London Coliseum) – 8 February 2017......................................................... 11 1922. Music Hall - 22 March 2017..................................................................................................... 12 It continued to be published up to and throughout Old Bailey – 19 April 2017........................................................................................................ 13 WW2 and documented the destruction of many City Andalucía - 3-7 May 2017............................................................................................................ 14 buildings. Lambeth Palace - 22 June 2017............................................................................................ 18 Little Ship Club Lunch - 19 September 2017......................................................... 19 “The Liveryman” ceased publication at the end of 1990’s and in 2001 the “CLC News” took its place. Civic Lunch - 18 July 2017........................................................................................................ 20 Face 2 Face events............................................................................................................................. 22 Beverly Smith The Sections Aero Section............................................................................................................................................. 25 Golfing Society...................................................................................................................................... 26 Motoring Section................................................................................................................................. 27 Music Section.......................................................................................................................................... 28 Wine Circle................................................................................................................................................ 29 Under 40s Section.............................................................................................................................. 30 Women in the Livery....................................................................................................................... 31 From the 1916 edition of “The Liveryman” Photography Section....................................................................................................................... 32 I t has been my privilege to editorially resurrect “The Liveryman” which, as you can see from Individuals Beverly Smith’s potted history above, had a fine New members........................................................................................................................................ 34 tradition. A complete set is available in the Club’s In Memoriam........................................................................................................................................... 34 library; ideal browsing on a wet winter’s afternoon maybe. Root & Branch Award winners............................................................................................. 35 Achievements by members...................................................................................................... 36 My thanks to everyone who has made a contribution to this edition. Potential elephant traps abound when someone like me who is not a Club Member takes up Benevolent Fund editorial reins. I must thank Club Members Trevor Disbursements....................................................................................................................................... 37 Beedham, Tony Lofts, Stephen Osborne and Beverly Smith – and my wife and your Clerk, Liz Wicksteed - The Club & Its Facilities for their invaluable assistance in helping me avoid any Club Opening Hours....................................................................................................................... 38 major mistakes. If any sprats have slipped through – my apologies. Membership Information........................................................................................................... 39 Subscriptions........................................................................................................................................... 40 Mike Wicksteed Reciprocal Clubs................................................................................................................................. 41 The Liveryman Review 2016-2017 I 1
President’s Review T his is my first (and last!) CLC Newsletter and Trevor Beedham (Communications and Public Relations) opportunity to greet you as the 103rd Club President. and Alison Gowman (Root and Branch Award) plus all the In fact, by the time you receive this I will be out of Committee members. The various Section leaders should also office! The unfortunate coincidence of our printing company be mentioned, especially for their generous hospitality shown going bust, plus the illness of our Editor has meant it has not to me and Solangela. been possible to publish until now. My sincere thanks to Mike Wicksteed, Liz our Clerk’s husband, for making this present edition possible. The Duke of Edinburgh talks with the President My appreciation also to Tony Lofts, our Section Liaison Officer and unofficial “official” event photographer, and to the Past Presidents who provided their guidance. I’d also like to thank all the event article authors within this publication. Besides my wife, the most significant appreciation must go to our Clerk, Liz, without whom so much of what I did would simply not have been possible. She showed great patience, resourcefulness and diligence for which I am very grateful. Congratulations to our two Club members and now Sheriffs: Alderman Tim Hailes and Past President Neil Redcliffe. Also to Walter Balmford for his MBE. I would also like to welcome the new senior post-holders (subject to the AGM election which by now will have taken The Club’s 103rd President, Alderman John Garbutt KFO JP, and his wife Solangela place!): Jane Platt as Hon Sec, new Committee Chairs Simon Bentley (F&I), Nic Somers (C&PR) and Adèle Thorpe (M&D So, just to cover the highlights, my year started with a “bang”, as now JVP), with Trevor Brignall promoted to SVP. Sincere having the pleasure of Prince Philip’s company as Honoured best wishes to all in their new roles and many thanks to those Guest (and Honorary Club member) at my Installation Dinner.We stepping down for their invaluable contributions. then had several monthly events prior to the next big highlight which was the champagne reception, tour and dinner at the Old I’m pleased to report the Club continues in rude health. Strong Bailey. This was followed by our Club holiday in Andalucía for membership growth, sound financial management and a good which I again thank my wife, Solangela for arranging. The year relationship with the Little Ship Club have all contributed to culminated with the Civic Lunch at which the Lord Mayor was this. present. Finally, I would like to wish my successor Paul Herbage, and his I would like to publicly thank all those who so generously wife Rosemary, a truly great year. Being President can, at times, helped in running the Club during my year: Council, our be surprisingly demanding, but brings with it much happiness governing body, which includes the Executive Officers who and friendship. To all Club members I give my thanks for comprise our Executive Committee, played a major part in this: supporting me. I do hope you have enjoyed your membership Adèle Thorpe, our Hon Sec, Keith Baker, our Hon Solicitor, the over the past 12 months. Committee chairs, Graham Lovelock (Finance and Investment, as Hon Treasurer),Trevor Brignall (Membership and Development), John Garbutt 2 I The Liveryman Review 2016-2017
President’s Diary 2016-2017 2016 October December 27 AGM and Installation dinner, Clothworkers’ Hall 12 Guild of Freemen Annual Banquet 31 United Wards Club Founder’s Day dinner 14 Carol Service and Christmas lunch November 21 Music Section dinner at the Carlton Club 22 Bilateral with the Little Ship Club 24 Tour of the Supreme Court and supper 2017 January May 13 City New Year Service and Reception, 3–7 Holiday in Andalucía St Michael’s Cornhill Church 21 Face2Face talk by Rev. Canon Philippa Boardman 27 Burns Night (joint event with the LSC) MBE, Hon. Chaplain February June 8 Tour of the Coliseum with light refreshments 9–11 Ironbridge weekend 16 Member-get-member reception 13 Wine Circle annual dinner, Guildhall 27 Golf Section lunch, Guildhall 16 Women in the Livery first anniversary lunch 28 Inter-Livery pancake races 22 Tour of Lambeth Palace plus tea 28 Bilateral with the Little Ship Club July March 1 History & Antiques Section’s tour of 8 Aero Section lunch Dr Johnson’s house, and lunch 22 Brick Lane Music Hall and tea (led by Maureen 18 Civic Lunch, Mansion House Bonanno Smith in the President’s 20 Imperial Society of Knights Bachelor Annual unavoidable absence) Service 23 Turners’ Court luncheon August April 1 Bilateral with the Little Ship Club 21 Reception and tour of the Old Bailey, and dinner in the judges’ dining room September 26 Installation Dinner, Worshipful Company 19 Joint lunch with the Little Ship Club and of Upholders talk by Dr Christine Rigden October 2 Motoring Section lunch at Guildhall 11 Glasgow Trades House dinner The Liveryman Review 2016-2017 I 3
Incoming President’s Agenda I was honoured to be elected from 2003 – 2008, whilst we were at the Baltic Exchange, and and installed as your 104th as part-time Clerk to the Tax Advisers for almost 14 years until President on 24th October retiring last month. Other City involvement includes serving on and look forward to committing the Fellowship of Clerks Executive, two terms as a Clerk on the myself to the interests of the Club Livery Committee, on the Livery Schools Link Board, as Master over the next year. of the Aldersgate Ward Club in 2009-10, as an active member of the Millennium Masters’ Association and on the Council of the As indicated in my inaugural Royal Society of St. George. address the existence of first class hospitality is essential alongside Away from the City I have been a volunteer for over 50 years the many top rate cultural with St. John Ambulance, where my first duty was as a Cadet at offerings of our City if London is the funeral of Sir Winston Churchill. As a member of the Priory Paul Herbage MBE CStJ to remain a world class business Chapter of the Order of St John another highlight of the next centre. The Club’s event programme will have a distinct food year will be the March tour of St. John’s Gate and the Priory and beverage theme which is hardly surprising for a Past Master Church followed by a supper in the Chapter Hall. Cook, who is also an Officer in the Confrérie du Sabre d’Or and Treasurer of our Club’s Wine Circle. My wife, Rosemary, a retired schoolteacher and another St. John volunteer, is not unfamiliar with the City either; she is a Since serving as Master of the Worshipful Company of Cooks Liveryman of the Educators’ Company, member of Tower Ward in 1999-2000 and following my retirement after a 30-year career Club, and Secretary to the CLC’s Bell Wharf Investment Club. in NHS Management, I have immersed myself in the civic City, We both look forward to meeting many Club members at events joining the City Livery Club, serving as it’s Honorary Secretary during the forthcoming year. Paul Herbage Preliminary Club events 2017 – 2018 2017 November 16 President’s Reception and Celebration of Beaujolais Nouveau 29 City Face2Face: Penrose Halson, Root & Branch Lifetime Achievement Award December 18 Carol Service at St. James Garlickhythe and Christmas Lunch at Vintners’ Hall 2018 January 26 Burn’s Night Supper and Ceilidh 31 Open evening for prospective Members March 1 Tour of St. John’s Gate and Priory Church, with supper in Chapter Hall April 20 Tour of the new Postal Museum July 2 Civic Luncheon September 2–6 President’s Club Holiday to Champagne Region, France Other dates and details still to be confirmed, including a tour of Shepherd Neame Brewery, lunch at the Clink, and afternoon tea at Charterhouse. 4 I The Liveryman Review 2016-2017
Council 2017-2018 Officers and Clerk Standing invitation to attend • President: • Assistant Hon. Treasurer: Paul Herbage MBE CStJ Graham Lovelock FNZICA B.Com FIoD • Senior Vice-President: Dr Trevor Brignall PhD DBA MA MBA DMS DipM CIOM Appointment Holder • Junior Vice-President: Adèle Thorpe • Hon. Chaplain: • Hon. Secretary: Jane Platt CBE Phillipa Boardman MBE • Hon. Treasurer: Simon Bentley FCCA • Hon. Solicitor: Keith Baker LLB FCIL Postholders • Clerk: Liz Wicksteed BA (Hons) •Almoner: Judith Pleasance CC Past Presidents with Voting Rights •Assistant Almoner: • Judy Tayler-Smith BA DipEgy FSA SCOT Caroline Walsh BSc(Hons) MA MSc FRGS FRSA FHEA • Neil G.M.Redcliffe BSc(Econ) MBA FCA •Membership Officer: • Alderman Sir David Wootton MA Michael Gilham FAMU • John MacCabe ACII •Archivist: • Alderman John Garbutt KFO JP FRSA FCSI FRGS BSc Econ Margot Mouat BSc FRSA (Immediate Past President) •Sections Liaison Officer: Tony Lofts Elected Members of Council • Examiner of Accounts: • Alan Cook CStS: Oct 2019 (1) John Chastney MA FCA • Capt Arthur Creighton FRIN: Oct 2018 (1) • Webmaster: • Julie Fox: Oct 2020 (2) Margot Mouat BSc FRSA • Chris Hayward CC: Oct 2020 (1) • Prof. James Kelly: Oct 2019 (2) • Tony Lofts: Oct 2019 (1) • Iain Meek Dip Arch RIBA: Oct 2020 (1) • Judith Pleasance CC MA(Hons): Oct 2018 (1) • Dr Christine Rigden BSc PhD FGS Cgeol: Oct 2018 (2) • Nicholas Somers: Oct 2018 (1) • Shai Umradia BSc (Hons): Oct 2020 (1) • Dr Keith Williams BSc(Econ) MA PhD: Oct 2019 (2) Patron The Rt. Hon.The Lord Mayor Honorary Member HRH The Duke of Edinburgh Honorary Member HRH The Princess Royal The Liveryman Review 2016-2017 I 5
Events AGM & Installation Dinner - Thursday, 27th October 2016 T he eve was chilly but guests duly convened at the again for a glass of champagne pending his arrival. Fellowship Clothworkers’ Hall in anticipation of a great Livery and support to one another in our fields of expertise are a fellowship evening ahead with a VVIP guest in attendance, Liveryman’s unofficial calling, and one could hear it in full swing HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh K.G., K.T. The Prince this evening. has been an Honorary Member of the Club since 1948 – 69 years! We were a diverse group whose pleasure in representing the City Livery Club bound us together in the Livery cloth. Whether a lady shooting for England in the Olympics, an expert on WW2 army archives, a retiring Master Actuary, or a new Master Tax Collector, fellowship amongst those who supported charity was the common theme. They then went into the drawing room where ten groups of Members - proud owners of the special green ticket! - HRH proposes The Toast were standing in horseshoe formations His Royal Highness duly arrived and was received by our new eagerly awaiting to be presented to President and members of Council. They then went into the HRH who gracefully spoke to each. drawing room where ten groups of Members - proud owners of the special green ticket! - were standing in horseshoe formations eagerly awaiting to be presented to HRH who gracefully spoke We convened upstairs for the AGM. Our new President, to each. This was followed by the formal entrance into the Alderman John Garbutt KFO JP, was elected and installed magnificent dining hall upstairs where more than two hundred with the Club’s ceremonial robe and medal. The meeting’s people stood to acknowledge the Duke, the Representative Lord formalities were handled in a good-natured way and the time Mayor Past-President Alderman Sir David Wootton, our President, passed quickly. Events in the Year Ahead calendar are highly Sheriff William Russell and others. sought after and we were encouraged to sign up for them early to avoid disappointment. We returned downstairs only to hear A lovely dinner was consumed on our table where there was that our VVIP was having trouble with London traffic, so upstairs many a rosy cheek and also some very sharp minds. Speeches followed - the first by John Garbutt who thanked the Duke for attending the dinner and he presented him with “One Hundred not out”, the Club’s history from 1914 to 2014 written by Past- President Graham Redcliffe who was at the dinner. Sir David Wootton outlined the work the Club does to enhance fellowship between Liveries. He explained how it lived up to its motto of “Uniting the Livery, Promoting Fellowship”, especially with its Root and Branch award which celebrates excellence in all Liveries wherever it may be found. Overall a delightful evening. A marvellous venue, great food and wine, good fellowship and a most convivial atmosphere in the presence of Prince Philip and distinguished guests. Finally a big “Thank You” to our Clerk, Liz Wicksteed, and everyone else involved behind the scenes, for their hard work which helped make the event so memorable. Shai Umradia Photos – Gerald Sharp Photography Representing the Lord Mayor, Sir David Wootton is (including front & back covers and the inside front cover) welcomed on arrival 6 I The Liveryman Review 2016-2017
Prince Philip with the Club’s Officers and Clerk, Sir David Wootton and Sheriff William Russell Cleo and Ashley Perraton-Williams Shai Umradia talks with Prince Philip chats with Members Sir David signs the Club’s Golden Book Chelsea Pensioner Cummings Handing over the reins The Duke of Edinburgh is presented with a copy of ‘One Hundred not out’ The Liveryman Review 2016-2017 I 7
Emblem of the Supreme Court Events Tour of the Supreme Court - Thursday, 24th November The Supreme Court comprises twelve justices although only eleven sit.The Court deals with all matters of law as it affects the wider general public. In civil matters it covers all jurisdictions – in criminal, all save for Scotland. Court No 2 holds only about 50 with the judges sitting at the same level as the lawyers - they even use the same entrance. Prominent is the crest with the emblems of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.The leek is included in the green vegetation joining them - not easy to work out - and some of our party suggested it had been forgotten! Most of the cases are heard here. It was stressed that cases in all the three courtrooms are videoed and streamed to the Court’s website for instant viewing; total transparency being of great importance. Welcome by Mark Ormerod, the Supreme Court’s Chief Executive T he legal ramifications of Brexit no doubt contributed significantly to the anticipation of the 50 Club members, led by President Alderman John Garbutt KFO JP, who attended our visit to the Supreme Court in Parliament Square on this brisk autumn afternoon. After looking round the exhibition in the basement we were greeted by the Chief Executive of the Court, Mark Ormerod, who stressed how anxious they were to give the Court greater exposure among the general public – no doubt shortly to be achieved: the Court’s judgment on whether Article 50 could be Court 3 - Home to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council triggered without Parliament’s prior authorisation was them imminent. We next moved up a floor to Court No 1. This is more traditional but again the judges sit level with the lawyers and public; in no Having assembled in Court No 2 on the first floor - a very way looking down on proceedings. It is here the big cases are modern room not at all like the usual courtroom - we were held. This would have been the meeting room of Middlesex addressed by Albinist Llugiqi (Albi) our guide. He explained County Council in days gone by. that the Supreme Court came into being in 2005 and that the building we were in was originally used by the Middlesex Lastly we came to Court No 3. Smaller than the others, it County Council before becoming a Crown Court in 1971. is home to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council and deals with Commonwealth matters and the flags of the Commonwealth countries over which it has jurisdiction are set round the circular bench. Court 2 - seating for solicitors and the public The Library 8 I The Liveryman Review 2016-2017
Finally we came to the library on the ground floor, converted “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”. from a courtroom, with the entrance being at the back of what would have been the public balcony. This is a most beautiful A most interesting visit which most will remember for a long room on two floors holding many thousands of books. There is time. It was concluded with fish and chips at a local restaurant. a wonderful glass staircase to the lower floor and prominently engraved on the glass balustrade the very well know quotation Ted Jackson / Photos - Beverly Smith Carol Service & Christmas Luncheon - Wednesday, 14th December 2016 T his year’s Carol Service was held at St Stephen Walbrook, a beautiful Christopher Wren Church rebuilt in the 1680’s after being destroyed by the Fire of London. We were welcomed by the Rev. Jonathan Evens together with the Church Warden,Alderman John Garbutt KFO JP, who is also our Club President. The centrepiece of the Church is a circular stone Henry Moore altar set under Christopher Wren’s glass dome, with Wren and Moore complementing each other. The service was well attended by Livery Club members and Christmas lunch in full swing guests and included “Corpus Christi Carol” and “What Child is this” sung magnificently by Judy Brown, our own Little Ship Club receptionist and part-time singer. Favourite Christmas carols were accompanied by the organist, Charles Bettison, City Livery Club Members read the lessons, and the Honorary Chaplain, Canon Philippa Boardman, presented a Christmas Prayer. Past President Neil Redcliffe, Fiona Janczur and Audrey Tibbles enjoy festive cheer President, Alderman John Garbutt, and the Rev. Philippa Boardman celebrate Then to the City Livery Club for pre-dinner drinks, followed by Canon Philippa Boardman reading her personally composed ‘grace’ that became a jovial start to the meal, ending with serious messages of compassion but proceeded by ‘dodgy rhymes’ that incorporated “Brexit blues” and “Our Prime Minister’s leather trousers”! After a very good Christmas lunch, John Garbutt gave the * Without whom there would have been no lunch! The Liveryman Review 2016-2017 I 9
Events customary toasts and his gift of a meal at a topmost London arrangements of lines and verses! restaurant was successfully auctioned, with proceeds to the Club’s Benevolent Fund. The Christmas Luncheon concluded with the President extending his best wishes to those present. Charles Bettison then skilfully conducted the wined and dined members to choral renditions of “Good King Wenceslas” Thanks go to those who made this very pleasant event so and “The Twelve Days of Christmas”. This called for a measure enjoyable. of concentration and good voices from the diners at the nine tables, who energetically and joyfully sang the stimulating Eddie and Maureen Bysouth / Photos – Tony Lofts Burns Night Supper - Friday, 27th January 2017 W e gathered at the Little Ship Club at the summoning and cleanse the taste buds for each mouthful of the speciality hour, in a range of rigs from full Scottish garb of the evening. This was followed by excellent roast beef with through Scottish elements, such as waistcoats tatties and vegetables and concluded with a very sherry trifle. or jewellery, through to uniform. Having taken part in initial circulation and a small libation or two we were called to our After a brief pause for conversation the “Immortal Memory tables, having taken the precaution of charging them with to Robert Burns” was proposed by our Hon Secretary, Adèle suitable drink for the various toasts to come. In tables of ten or Thorpe, followed by an amusing “Toast to the Lassies” by Ron so we assembled to meet our friends for the evening. Each table Gardener and finally the Little Ship Club’s Vice-Commodore, was named after Burns’ songs, such as “A Mother’s Lament,” “A Anne Billard, gave a suitably entertaining and cutting reply for Red Red Rose” and “At Roslin Inn”, which kept us firmly in tune the lassies. for the evening. Welcomes by the Commodore of the Little Ship Club, Michael Forbes-Smith, and our President,Alderman John Garbutt KFO JP, set the tone of convivial hospitality for the evening. The Master of Ceremonies,Tom McLean Davey, then took over and introduced the first ceremony, the Parade of the Haggis. A very accomplished piper led a slightly baffled looking chef holding the awful beastie up high, parading round us all. In conclusion Peter Knight addressed the haggis in the traditional way. He discarded the small knife from the galley and took the piper’s dirk to properly disembowel the haggis. In conclusion a traditional dram was toasted by the piper, the chef and Peter - at this point the chef cheered up considerably! Enjoying the Ceilidh Suitably fed and primed the high-energy part of the evening commenced - the Ceilidh. With a small but effective band of fiddle and accordion, Peter Knight acted as caller. There was little sympathy for non-dancers, the exhausted or the over-fed (or over-wined). ‘To the dance floor’ was the call. A range of Scottish dances was performed, with varied but improving accuracy as the evening progressed and the rhythms sank in to the movements all round. As is proper we concluded at the witching hour with an all in singing of “Auld Lang Syne” in a large circle. Peter Knight addresses the haggis in the traditional manner Tom McLean Davey then treated us to the Selkirk Grace A good end to a most enlivening and entertaining evening for once the haggis had gone. Following this the haggis magically all. Sign up early next year. returned, but in individual helpings. A fine first course with the appropriate 10-year old mature oak cask “gravy” to help it down Guy Brocklebank 10 I The Liveryman Review 2016-2017
The auditorium Tour of the London Coliseum - Wednesday, 8th February What a performance! Opera isn’t just for the wealthy. The ENO has seats at a cost of Q uick check: brolly (always); scarf (no need, not cold, less than a round of drinks. If you want an excellent example wrong); senior railcard (yes); credit card (yes); check of provision for the wider spectrum of society, go to the Vienna date and location (done). OK, I’m off. ‘Bye, dear’. Opera House and, for modern design, go to Sydney. I arrived in good time at the English National Opera for a look We were taken by our guides, Stuart and Shuna, around the around and to hear about its development. The ENO was opened building where we saw wigs (but no Tories) and into the on 24th December 1904. It is a truly magnificent structure; orchestra pit. What a joy to see such a well kept building still Italianate with Romanesque Ionic pillars in the cruciform lobby true to its Edwardian beginnings but new where new it should with lovely proportions. It was updated 12 years ago when be. rebranded the ‘ENO’. The updating is a clever marrying of old and new without any obvious tension between the two. Originally designed as a variety theatre (if you are interested in this style, go and see the Hackney Empire), it has been a playhouse and a cinema, and has been the home of Sadlers Wells since 1968. The vision was that of Oswald Stoll and the design by the self-taught architect Frank Matcham. The auditorium, with four levels of seats and being wide rather than deep, accommodates 2350 with all seats having an uninterrupted view of the stage. A view from the Orchestra Pit After a sumptuous afternoon tea I called into St Martin in the Fields to hear Darke’s Mass in F and Lyte’s setting of Psalm 103, Praise my soul. Walking to King’s Cross I paused at a bookshop (Foyle’d again) and dropped into the furniture shop for the well- Heal’d. What a great day, even without the performance. John Chastney / Photos – Richard Sharp Shuna Snow - one of the guides The Liveryman Review 2016-2017 I 11
Events Visit to the Brick Lane Music Hall - Wednesday, 22nd March T he day after the official start of Spring, 40 intrepid Members and guests braved the cold and rain for a visit to Brick Lane Music Hall at Silvertown in Docklands. Named Brick Lane Music Hall after its original home, the converted church is now the only permanent home for music hall. We were greeted by Maureen Bonanno-Smith on behalf of President Alderman John Garbutt KFO JP and entered an amazingly decorated auditorium holding some 200 people. Our Vincent Haynes has been 25 years at the helm of the Music Hall five tables were splendidly placed with excellent views of the stage. In the Interval, afternoon tea with plentiful sandwiches and cakes was served and an opportunity taken to sell raffle tickets The performance started with the orchestra playing the (to fund outreach performances to various charitable and caring National Anthem and a welcome from the MC, Vincent Hayes institutions) and souvenir programmes. MBE, the founder of the Music Hall in 1992. Mr Hayes presided over a highly professional show featuring himself, a fellow actor/ comedian (Paul James), three excellent singers (Lucy Reed, Joni Talks and Bill Byrne) and a very talented musician (Andy Eastwood) who played both classical and popular tunes on violin, ukulele and banjolele. Members enjoying a convivial visit The final hour or so included presentation of flowers to Maureen and to Liz Wicksteed to recognise the contribution of the Club to the work of the Music Hall. After a final contribution from each of the cast and a sketch, they all appeared in Pearly The show was enjoyed by all King and Queen costumes to perform the “Lambeth Walk” and we all sang “We’ll Meet Again”. Between them they entertained us with tunes and songs reminiscent of old music hall stars including Florrie Forde, Amply refreshed by food and laughter, we emerged into a rain- Marie Lloyd, George Formby, Stanley Holloway, Rex Harrison free Docklands, feeling considerably brighter after a wonderful, and Joseph Locke, encouraging much audience involvement. nostalgic and highly professional afternoon’s entertainment. Interspersed were sketches and jokes, some of which might have been a little bawdy for the original church congregations! Jeremy Elwes / Photos - Liz Wicksteed 12 I The Liveryman Review 2016-2017
Charles Henty, Secondary of London and Under Sheriff, High Bailiff of Southwark Elizabeth Fry of Southwark In the Grand Hall Another view of the Grand Hall Tour of the Old Bailey - Wednesday, 19th April W e stood in the magnificent marbled Grand Hall spoke movingly of the challenges presented by such high-profile where lawyers and witnesses congregate during trials with their attendant press and media coverage and the way trials and listened as Mr Charles Henty spoke briefly in which the crowds of cameras, microphones and journalists of the long history of the site, of Newgate goal and of its horrors. could intimidate those involved in smaller, low-profile trials. Charles Henty, Secondary of London and Under Sheriff, High On the day of our visit there were 11 courts in use, eight Bailiff of Southwark, dressed in an elaborate lace bib over a of them involving murder and one a terrorist crime. It was specially tailored suit was our host and guide to the Old Bailey. interesting to see that Court 1 has a low level of security, with “This was an awful place” he said, and, after hearing him talk so the wooden dock being surmounted by a small glass barrier. In passionately about the Bailey and its place in upholding justice, fact it was quite striking how close the sections of the court we realised that it is still, in the original sense of the word, an are to each other. The witness box is just a few feet from ‘awe-full’ place. the jury and very close to the judges. The small press area is directly below the jury and immediately opposite the, probably, Court 1, a sombre, surprisingly small wood-panelled room, crowded prosecution and defence tables. has been witness to details of many heinous crimes. Christie, Crippen, the Yorkshire Ripper, and more recently the murderers In such a small, crowded area we “see history and tradition” of Fusilier Lee Rigby were all tried here and found guilty. Charles as Charles said.The 15th-century Sword of Justice hangs on the wall behind the judges during a trial and the Lord Mayor still has the right, rarely exercised, to be present at any trial; a ‘throne’ is permanently reserved for him. Charles described the imposing manner in which the Mayor and his entourage would enter the court and take their seats, with the only sound in the court room being ‘the defendant fainting away’. Although our tour was short, it gave us much to think about - and to discuss during the excellent dinner in the Judges’ Dining Room which followed. David Port Ancient Rights The Liveryman Review 2016-2017 I 13
Events Andalucía - 3rd-7th May T he President, Alderman John Garbutt KFO JP, and his an excellent and atmospheric evening in a cave on a hillside wife, Solangela, organized this year’s tour to Granada overlooking the City.The Flamenco dancing left us all breathless and the surrounding area. - and we were only onlookers! After the show we walked with a guide through ancient cobbled streets to the Church of St. Nicholas where a plaza and balcony afforded a wonderful view of the Alhambra Palace across the valley, spectacularly illuminated in the night sky. Day Two started in leisurely fashion with lunch booked at a lovely hotel, followed by a tour of the city and in late afternoon, * The organisers On Day One our party of 29 members and guests assembled at our hotel, (by various routes) in time for dinner and to watch a Flamenco show in the old district of Granada. We had View of Granada from the Alhambra Sinagoga del Agua - The Synagogue of Water W hen our guide Andrea told us on Day Three that underground water is when our first visit was to be at the Synagogue of Water, building synagogues. The it was met with some surprise. Andrea is a director Ritual Bath (Mikveh),accessed of the transformation of the synagogue building. Having been via a narrow passageway discovered by entrepreneur Fernando Crespo during works excavated into rock and carried out to transform old properties into apartments, shops hidden in what was thought and car parks, he decided that something special needed to be to be an old cellar, is a purification ritual bath, water being a rescued and retained. The recovery began in 2007 and in 2010 fundamental symbol of spiritual purification. In the centre is a it opened to the public. hole with steps dug out from the rock where the water springs naturally and continuously. Amazingly, sunlight shines through Based on the existing research, we were looking at a an opening in the roof directly into the Mikveh. The Cellar and synagogue from before the fourteenth century. The ‘Inquisition the Ovens, containing a barrel vault and authentic half-buried Room’ bears a close resemblance to a house intended to be jars, were used to store olive oil, food and kosher wine and a representative of the Inquisition in the town and, together with space excavated into the rock with a flat roof which seems to the arcaded courtyard, the cellar and the ovens, corresponds be a kitchen. with the possible house of a Rabbi in the Middle Ages. A large room splits into three naves separated by original pointed arches, We were also able to view various replicas, Menorahs and an structured as in medieval Spanish synagogues – rooms below ancient Torah - a most memorable experience during our days street level including a ‘Women’s Gallery’ – the place occupied in Spain. by women during ceremonies and rituals and hidden behind shutters.The seven wells tell us how important the presence of Leonard and Miriam Specterman 14 I The Liveryman Review 2016-2017
Alhambra - Court of Lindaraja Alhambra - Court of the Lions An Alhambra garden Alhambra - Gardens of the Generalife Alhambra - Court of the Gilded Room
The Alhambra Palace ¡Al centro, adentro! - Cheers! Caves of Nerja House in Ubeda ¡Salud, pesetas y amor y tiempo para gozarlos! - Health, money, love and the time to enjoy them! Ranas con velas
a guided tour of the Alhambra. What an amazing, historical site full of Moorish architecture, beautiful mosaics, courtyards and exquisite gardens, which included a riot of colourful roses. Day Three took us on a trip into the interior to visit the World Heritage sites of Ubeda and Baeza, which were full of many stunning “Renaissance” buildings, dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries. Both towns were occupied by the Moors but were subsequently captured during the Christian re-conquest of Spain and became very wealthy through their trade and strategic positions. John and Solangela had organized a tremendous few days in Andalucía with a perfect balance of culture, La paella cocinero entertainment and fun, for which we are all most appreciative. Our excellent guide in Ubeda surprised us by showing us a ‘hidden gem’. The renovation of two houses revealed the existence of a 13th century Synagogue (see box on page 14). Day Four turned out to be a fun day after so much culture. This time our coach headed to the coast. The morning was spent visiting the Caves of Nerja - magnificent caverns covered in huge stalagmites and stalactites and discovered in the 1950’s by local youths watching bats come out of a hole. Then onto a seaside resort where we boarded a large catamaran for a short sea trip which included a lesson on how to cook Paella - the resulting Paella class meal was very much enjoyed by everyone. The day ended with a visit to Ron Montero, the only rum distillery in Spain. Most of us slept on the coach back to Granada! Our Final Day was spent visiting a street market and having yet another superb lunch in Granada. Our tables were set on the pavement outside the restaurant, which provided us with a great opportunity to people-watch and enjoy the wonderful warm weather. John and Solangela had organized a tremendous few days in Andalucía with a perfect balance of culture, entertainment and fun, for which we are all most appreciative. Rob Lucas / Photos – Tony Lofts Afloat The Liveryman Review 2016-2017 I 17
Events Tour of Lambeth Palace - 22nd June M embers and their guests met at the entrance to Lambeth palace and due to the numbers attending The front facade of Lambeth Palace we were split into two groups. Both tours covered the same areas but in different directions. We began by walking We then went through the guardroom which dates back to through the gardens of the palace and then listening to a very the 14th century and is today used for meetings, receptions and interesting introduction video given in the most part by the dinners.The dining room was our next stop where Queen Victoria Archbishop of Canterbury who resides there. had entertained guests. There was a display of Worcester china made especially for her and two paintings of Syrian orthodox The palace is supported by a large team, some of whom bishops who came as guests and brought the two pictures - of are volunteers and whose work includes gardening, bee themselves - as gifts. keeping, palace tours and handling the thousands of items of correspondence that the palace receives every year. The The drawing room was originally known as the withdrawing archbishop is called upon to preside at royal weddings, state room as this is where ladies retired after dinner, leaving the funerals and Remembrance Day events. men to drink their port and smoke cigars. Much of this room was destroyed during the Second World War but was rebuilt in We went down to the crypt which was built in the 12th the 1950s. There are two stunning Waterford glass chandeliers century and is the oldest and least restored part of the palace. which were a gift from Waterford Glass. It was originally used as a store but, due to its proximity to the Thames, was prone to flooding when there was a high tide. The We concluded our tour in the chapel which has been altered crypt now serves as main place of worship for the archbishop, quite a lot over the centuries. The chapel had also suffered the staff and palace residents. substantial damage in during the War following a direct hit by Next stop was the library, also called the Great Hall, which houses over 200,000 books most of which are written in Latin. We were told by our guide that the library holds an early print of the prayer book of Queen Elizabeth I. We went through a portrait gallery where we saw many paintings of famous archbishops including Arundel, the first archbishop to have an Englishman burnt at the stake, and Cranmer, a faithful servant to Henry VIII. It is said that at Henry VIII’s deathbed Cranmer announced he would never shave again, hence the portrait showing him with a beard. We also saw a painting of Archbishop Parker who had a very large nose. Apparently Archbishop Parker liked to know everything that was going on and this is where the phrase ‘Nosey Parker’ came from. Outside the Chapel The Drawing Room The Chapel 18 I The Liveryman Review 2016-2017
an incendiary bomb. In Cromwell’s time the chapel as a court of law during the day and a drinking den at night. The ashes of Archbishop Parker are buried beneath one of the floor tiles in front of the altar and he is the only person to have been buried at Lambeth Palace. After the tour some members and guests went into the gardens of the palace to enjoy a glass of champagne. I received many comments from the members including:‘the tour brought their history lessons to life’,‘I loved learning about unknown history’ and ‘We would most definitely come back again’. Anne Walker In the palace garden The Little Ship Club Luncheon - Tuesday, 19th September O N 19 September we enjoyed a lunch held jointly with our friends from the Little Ship Club, as last year, to mark another 12 months of sharing the premises here at Bellwharf Lane. The Little Ship Club’s numbers were rather constrained since a number of their regulars were away sailing or at the Boat Show. But those who could attend were a delight for our members to meet and all were soon chatting away like old friends. L-R: CLC President John Garbutt, guest speaker, Dr Christine Rigden, Past President Neil Redcliffe and LSC Commodore Anne Billard Christine’s talk on “Real Waves and the City” faced the tricky challenge of appealing to both the nautical and the Livery sections of her audience, and she met this with aplomb. It was fascinating to hear about her three summers cruising in the Baltic. There was no lack of variety, with the Stockholm Archipelago alone having over 30,000 islands. Christine and Stephen later undertook a cruise round the British Isles, accompanied at one point by a pod of 30 dolphins. Sailing can attract all sorts of unexpected dangers, including in this case, becoming entangled LSC and CLC Members soak up Christine Rigden’s talk in the with a tree (while making their way along a Scottish canal). comfort of the Little Ship Club Anne Billard, Commodore of the Little Ship Club, and our own Christine moved on to recount her year as Sheriff, which President, Alderman John Garbutt KFO JP, warmly welcomed included over 600 events and 44 speeches, and the unique all those present. John thanked the Little Ship Club for their experience of living at the Old Bailey for a year. A highlight welcome to us back in 2010 and how much they had made us was raising £21,000 for the Lord Mayor’s Appeal by riding round feel at home in the years since. the City on horseback in full regalia and sword – not easy for a novice rider! The highlight of the event was a talk by Dr. Christine Rigden, one of only a handful of people with the distinction of belonging Altogether a very enjoyable event and one which both Clubs to both Clubs. She and her husband Stephen are keen sailors, are keen to repeat in 2018, perhaps as an evening function. and she had a highly successful year as one of the City’s two Sheriffs in 2015/16. Liz Wicksteed The Liveryman Review 2016-2017 I 19
Luncheon in the Egyptian Hall The Civic Reception & Luncheon – Tuesday, 18th July This year’s Annual Civic Reception and Luncheon took place in the splendour of the Mansion House. T he first stone was laid in 1739 but it was not until 1752 that Lord Mayor Sir Crispin Gascoigne was able to take up residence. Work was completed in 1758. The building has undergone many changes over the years but still retains its splendour and grandeur. Today Mansion House is also home to a magnificent plate collection and an art collection including sculptures and some 84 Dutch paintings of the Harold Samuel Art Collection. The President, Alderman John Garbutt KFO JP, was later to thank the Lord Mayor for the loan of his ‘residence’. The Lord Mayor speaks presentation and very efficiently served. All of which was The lunch was very well attended and the President was accompanied by excellently selected wines. Toasts and speeches pleased to receive the Lord Mayor, Alderman Andrew Parmley, followed. and honoured guests. The President presented a cheque for £1000 to Andrew A very warm welcome was extended to all those attending, Parmley for the Lord Mayor’s Charity for which the Lord Mayor followed by a reception in a room adjoining the banqueting hall. expressed his thanks. Next the President announced the awards, Chilled glasses of bubbly were plentiful and most welcome. The and the Lord Mayor presented the City Livery Club’s Root and reception proved to be an excellent opportunity for old friends Branch award for 2017 to Keith Lawrey and to Penrose Halson to catch up, or indeed to forge new friendships, from a wide a lifetime achievement award. A highly commended award had variety of the Livery companies represented. The Gentlemen in been presented to John Taylor earlier in the day. their morning suits complimented the Ladies on their array of colourful dresses and beautiful millinery. Great thanks and a special gift were presented to our Clerk, Liz Wicksteed, for all her hard work in organising such a splendid Grace was delivered by the Rev. Philippa Boardman MBE. event with impeccable timing. The luncheon was excellent in terms of quality, quantity, Craig Walton / Photos – Gerald Sharp Photography 20 I The Liveryman Review 2016-2017
The Lord Mayor and the President with the Root & Branch winners and their Livery Masters Lord Mayor & President David Tyrwhitt-Drake (L) and Tony Lofts prior to lunch The President welcomes The Lord Mayor on his arrival Stephen Gee introduces Jackie Robertson to Past President Graham Redcliffe and Beverley Redcliffe The Lord Mayor, Alderman Dr Andrew Parmley, signs the Club’s Golden Book Trevor Beedham in discussion before lunch
Events – City Face2Face Lunches City Face2Face is a regular lunchtime meeting at which senior figures in the City and from wider afield make presentations and meet Club members. The purpose of the meetings is to increase members’ knowledge of the many facets of the City and to increase the Club’s profile within the City. 17th November 2016: Ian Stewart – Do we need to take a brolly? W e have all been struck this year by the beauty of the Ian asked us to imagine that we were planning a day out and autumnal leaf display brought to us by an Indian needed to decide whether to take an umbrella. He stressed summer. At the same time we are conscious that the importance of using more than one source of information, our weather seems as changeable as ever. professional or otherwise, to arrive at our personal assessment. He began by reminding us of ancient weather lore – some of which we learned as children – and examining how reliable it might be. This was followed by a look at how depressions are formed over the North Atlantic Ocean and bring most of our bad weather. This part of the talk was enlivened by a light-hearted quiz in which correct answers were rewarded with the issue of sticks of Cadbury’s Flake chocolate. Ian then took us in some detail through the means by which we might spot bad weather coming in the next day or two by looking at the sky, cloudscape and winds, with a reminder of how to use the barometer at home. The final part of the session was given to an introduction to weather charts and how we might obtain more information from Internet resources and add further interpretation to what the professionals are telling us. Once again, his message was: use more than one source of information. The session concluded Ian Stewart with Club Clerk, Liz Wicksteed with a lively series of questions from members, which helped to de-mystify some well-known weather features and illuminate To help us understand and make our own forecasts we asked the inner workings of professional weather services. Ian Stewart, Associate Fellow of the Royal Meteorological Society and designer of the Little Ship Club’s marine weather Unfortunately, the one thing Ian could not tell us was how to forecasting course, to join us for lunch and enlighten us. Ian secure good weather for the Lord Mayor’s Show. keeps his own boat on a deep-water mooring in Langstone Harbour, next to Portsmouth, but lives 60 miles away in Surrey; Liz Wicksteed he therefore needs a keen appreciation of weather for a day out in order to avoid a wasted journey. 20th January 2017: Bob Heathfield and the Constructors’ Livery Company’s Post-Graduate Award B ob was highly commended at the 2016 Root and are given to mainly younger professionals in order to carry out Branch Awards. The chance to hear him speak at the research and produce a paper that furthers the understanding City Face2Face showed us why he had received this and practice within the construction business. accolade. Generous sponsors such as Sir Ian Dixon, the Chartered Bob has been involved since 2000 with the various scholarships Institute of Building and the University College of Estate that the Constructors’ Livery award to post-graduates. These Management have assisted the Livery Company to fund and 22 I The Liveryman Review 2016-2017
scholars have progressed in their careers as a result of their work in the scholarship. In the papers for the Award one wrote in support of Bob “He offered support and valuable guidance throughout my scholarship and without his investment, both of time and knowledge, I do not believe I would have achieved such a successful outcome.” However, this research is not a stuffy report that sits on a shelf or hovers on a website - they are practical and one has even been presented to a House of Commons Committee.The topic was “Procurement and Contract Choice, a contributor to contract failure”. One hopes that they have kept this in order to use when procuring their own building works in the Bob Heathfield receiving his 2016 Highly Commended refurbishment of the Palace of Westminster. Root&Branch Award from Past President John MacCabe and Alderman Alison Gowman - Clive Totman Photography Since its inception over 40 scholars have gone through expand the exemplary work that they do. the programme and 40 percent of these were women. The topics are varied and can relate to any area of construction The scholars will be in full-time employment and it is essential management, architecture/surveying and sustainability. The that their employer supports the idea, as the scholar will need reports have been posted on the Constructors’ Livery and the time and support in order to carry out the research and work. Chartered Institute of Building websites so that they are truly The scholar is mentored during the year of the research and available for all. the final 10,000 word report is presented to the panel that Bob heads up. A final formal presentation is made in a prestigious A lively audience asked many questions and I am sure that the venue that showcases their work. Successful scholars are ideas of the Constructors will be taken up by other companies offered to take up Yeoman status in the Constructors’ Livery since they seem to have a winning formula. and to have a fast track entry into the Chartered Institute of Building. Indeed, what is so impressive is how so many Alison Gowman 12th May: Philippa Boardman MBE - Is there a future for the Church of England? A packed audience immediately gave the answer to the provocative question raised by Philippa Boardman at our May City Face2Face. The interest in her topic was clearly very high and she did not disappoint. Although Philippa had moved house in the week of the talk (from central St Paul’s Cathedral ) to a new parish at St Mary Magdalene, Wandsworth Common, she was dusted down and ready to provide some engaging and informative statistics about the changes in the Church of England and the growth of congregations. Whilst various press reports over the last few years have noted the decline in numbers and the declining age of the clergy, there were many signs for positive optimism and growth. The Rev. Philippa Boardman with Alderman Alison Gowman and The first growth area was in Cathedral worshippers up to over the President, Alderman John Garbutt 1 million per annum across the country. The Cathedral has becoming a more obvious part of the * The Liveryman Review 2016-2017 I 23
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