Known to the Queen as "the glass chappie"
I am now 9 months into my year with three months to go. Don’t worry, they said, it’s quieter in the summer. Ha!
The last quarter has been very memorable, lunches, dinners and drinks receptions at Merchant Taylors, Grocers, Haberdashers, Innholders, Stationers, Apothecaries, Vintners, Carmen, The Old Bailey, the Tower of London, the Guildhall, and the Mansion House.
The Master’s Livery Weekend which instead of being in Ironbridge or somewhere far from home was this year held in London, much to the disappointment of many. The Mistress and I were lucky to receive an invitation to stay the weekend at Grocers Hall. The Master Grocer Sir Charles Bowman is a previous Lord Mayor and with his lovely consort/wife Lady Samantha made us and several other Masters very welcome and all the accommodation held in Livery Halls and City Clubs was provided free of charge.
We attended the Election of the next Sheriffs at Guildhall, had private tours of the Old Bailey with both Sheriffs and last week, the Sheriffs farewell ball at the Guildhall again.
The Mistress and I attended the Lady Mayoress’ Afternoon Tea at Mansion House, and a few weeks ago the Mistress hosted an Afternoon Tea at the Oxford & Cambridge Club with the Lady Mayoress and Consorts of 14 other Livery Companies attending and listened to a fascinating talk by previous Royal Butler Harold Brown.
I was very pleased to attend the Freedom Ceremony at Guildhall for three of our Glass Sellers Annie Hewes, Purnima Patel and Alister Malcolm, and a few days later, Renter Warden Matthew Demmon, Past Masters Barbara Beadman and Guy Harrison and I travelled to His Majesty’s Naval Base, Clyde or Faslane as it is better known where we and four members of the Glovers Company were very privileged to attend a black tie dinner in the Ward Room on board HMS Artful with Commander Alex Marshall and 4 four of his senior officers.
One of my favourite days was attending the Summer Camp of our Army Cadet Force near Whipps Cross and seeing them taking part in various activities, challenges and marching. These proud young men and women are a credit to their unit and their families.
I called into Vauxhall Gardens to support our gallant ladies taking part in the Distillers Annual Inter Livery Pétanque Challenge. The team of Barbara and Helen Beadman and Vanessa Cutler played valiantly and beat the Distillers team! The event which had 38 teams was won by the Spectacle Makers, 28 Glass Sellers visited Phyllis Court at Henly on Thames and enjoyed a river cruise and delicious lunch thanks to the Reunion des Gastronomes and the connection with our Clerk.
Two days later the Mistress and I hosted a Glass Sellers family barbecue at our home in Kent. 45 people aged between 4 and 90 years enjoyed the sunshine and fun and lots of food and wine.
The end of August saw the British Glass Biennale as part of the International Festival of Glass and the Mistress and I were very pleased to be included in the judging panel for the Glass Sellers Arts and Crafts and Student Awards, generously sponsored once again by the Glass Sellers Charity Fund. As ever the quality of exhibits was amazing, and it was good to see several exhibits from our own Glass Sellers!
Last Friday morning, the Mistress and I were up at 4 am to drive up to Canary Wharf to wave off the Magical Taxi Tour. The Glass Sellers sponsor one of the 98 London taxis that take sick children and their families for a three-day break to Disneyland Paris with an escort of medics, ambulances, the City of London Police, the Gendarmerie and the AA. It really is such a wonderful event organised by the Worshipful Company of Hackney Carriage Drivers. Long may we support this.
I am heartened that there is a new enthusiasm in the company, we have some great people lined up to be our future Wardens, and our committees are chaired by great people.
People like Brian Scott-Picton, Ed Adshead Grant, Oliver Charles, Richard Gundle and David Hinton are all doers. Their enthusiasm and hard work is greatly appreciated along with people like Madelyn Dransfield, Linda Raven, Mark Holford, Peter Christopher Ort, Dave Fordham and others.
Our Charity Fund continues to thrive under the careful guidance of Chairman Leigh Baildham and the Trustees, Past Master Peter Rawlinson has helped us create a definitive Governance Policy, a massive task and one that will serve us well for years to come.
Where would we be without our Beadle Tony Parker, always there at my shoulder when I need him or our Company Chaplain the Reverend Stephen Baxter or our Company Almanor the lovely Reverend Barbara Feather.
Our Clerk and his office continue to come up with interesting and varied Members evenings and events. Paul and Kerry have been invaluable to me this year. Thank you.
There is nothing you could teach our Assistant Assistant Clerk Brian Rawles about the Company Ceremonies; we are lucky to have him as well as our wonderful company photographer Demir Ozyurt to record our special events.
To our past Masters and senior members, thank you, you have guided this company through some dark times and are still here to help us.
I have really enjoyed meeting my fellow Masters and their Consorts, we were fortunate that the Master Glover, Clive Grimley set up a Masters group last year and so many of us got to know each other before we became Masters, I know we will carry on being friends long after we are Masters.
Thank you to Andy, our principal guest. I have heard you speak many times over the last 10 years, your knowledge seems to be endless and your wit and enthusiasm are infectious. Thank you again.
Finally, this Sunday the Mistress and I, with Liverymen Matthew Tottle and Lick Vara will be exercising our right as a Freemen of the City of London to drive our sheep over a London Bridge. The Master Woolman has told us that the sheep are less lively in the afternoon. I hope this is the case otherwise you may see a short fat man dressed in a furry gown and tudor bonnet being chased over Southwark Bridge!
Thank you .
David Wilkinson
Master 2023 -24
