The final day

This our last entry .Yesterday , 3rd July ,was the Installation Court in which I handed over to Ivor Richards  Strictly speaking it should  stop at 11 am the Installation Ceremony, but I will take a small amount of licence and run to the end of the day .

The first thing to mention is the serious stroke  of Court Assistant Nick Reeves a week last Tuesday  and we all pray for Janet and her family as they wait for Nick to start recovering .I have written to Janet on behalf of the Company.

I was very pleased to get the first full Company Manual accepted by the Court whilst accepting that more work needs doing on it .

Wow - where did the year go ?. It has been one of ups and downs, but the ups have been fantastic and unforgettable .Lis and I really appreciate the confidence you placed in us and we hope that we repaid it in full and that we have used the opportunity wisely .We have been to many places and done many things outside  , but I was determined to involve and engage with as many members as possible and in reviewing the papers for the year we have had a really good   success rate .The establishment of the FMGP Network with clear projects and objectives seems to have worked, with some outputs such as the Manual and book pretty much achieved as we set out . Some projects have not gone so well for  good reasons that we understand and examples include full  re-engagement with the water sector and a revision of the Management Plan , but these projects will continue under the next Master .Even in the water sector we  have made good progress  with the successes of WET 10 , the engagement with the City of London Energy and Sustainability Committee and the Reform Club Dinner . The social aspect of our calendar has been wonderful with visits to many places - thank you to the organizers.  But none of this  could have been achieved without the full participation, indeed leadership,  of many members of the Company - the list is long and I will not list them out for fear of omitting some -one but  we all know who has contributed what .I really appreciate the help you have given me. .I could not have managed without the help of the Wardens and of course our Clerk organised the lunches and banquet well .Thank you all .I will gifting a vestigial hood to go with the robes  but it is a slow process having it made .

I was very happy to see Ivor installed and we wish him well in his year.His first event was the WCT evening at Pinsent Mason showing the value of our student bursaries .Lis and I attended as well along with some eighty other people . The presentations were excellent .Thank you to Pinsent Mason for sponsoring the evening.

So this is it folks . I only intended to keep a blog so that you could see what we did  during our year ... we hope that you found it useful .

Monday 24th June. Our last public events .
I attended the Election of Sheriffs at Guildhall . A very colourful affair and made one proud to be associated with the City .We all knew what to shout out at the right moment . Ivor Richards and Roger North attended as well  .Once more the clear message coming from the  elected Sheriffs, Sir Paul Judge and Adrian Waddingham, was  that the City flourishes by combining innovation and tradition.

I will have a chance to say something at our Court meeting on the 3rd July , which will be in my final blog. But Lis would like to finish her contribution by saying a few words .

On Monday I went to a most enjoyable Masters' Ladies Lunch in Saddlers' Hall . There were 9 Mistresses including Liz Farmer , Mistress of the Saddlers . The meal was excellent and we chatted 19 to the dozen about our visit to Ironbridge and all the other exciting events which we have attended. Everyone agreed that being a Mistress is a wonderful experience and privilege . Thank you for the opportunity.      

Almost at the end .Friday 21st June
Today was the WC Company  of Firefighters lunch  reception at the London Fire Brigade Museum  in Borough . This included a guided tour of the Museum which was really interesting and it confirmed in our minds that the early firefighters were heroes and really went beyond the call of duty  . The Masters present enjoyed the hospitality and company. The Master and I have become friends and we look forward to working together on projects in the future .

Monday 17 June
A lovely evening's rowing and success once more with our Ladies' Team
It was the Thames Traditional Rowing Association Admiral of the Port Challenge .Our ladies in our cutter, the Forget Me Not, won handsomely again. The rose bowl trophy  is still missing, but a silver platter will replace it  and this , and other trophies, were presented by Sheriff Nigel Pullman .Lis and I went with Court Assistant Nick Reeves and his  wife Janet .Janet and I were the passengers in the cutter ,;Lis and Nick followed in the Cory boat by kind permission of Johnny Dwan our Bargemaster - and thanks to Johnny for training the team  and organizing our entry.

A Shard visit - thanks to Trevor and Annette Harrington on  June 11

After glorious weather - it just had to be misty and wet when we went up the Tower . But the company and view more than made up  for the weather . Lis and I and over 30 others  had wonderful time at the Shard and at a meal afterwards.Thank you Trevor and Annette

Weekend of June 7-9th Ironbridge

A glorious weekend in many ways .The sun shone , the people were fun and the Museums were really interesting . Ironbridge Gorge is the heart of the Industrial Revolution  -it is a World Heritage Site and there are 10 museums manged by a Trust .The area is fascinating because the original building nestle in a wooed landscape giving the whole place a rural atmosphere . Nature and Man have learned to live together .

The Livery Companies started supporting the Trust thirty years ago and the Trust has a London Committee from the Livery . The tradition now is that there is a Livery weekend in June every year . This is attended mostly by Masters and Partners and by the Lord Mayor and Partner - this year Roger Gifford and his wife Claire, and by the Sheriffs and Partners . Lis and I and our companions were treated royally with a Dinner on Friday , a Ball on Saturday and full visit programmes on Saturday and on Sunday morning .

It has become tradition that a Year Association is formed of  the Lord Mayor , Sheriffs and Masters at this event and that is one way of keeping in touch with the many good friends that are made during the year .We decided to call ourselves  the Great 13 .

I recommend going even as private individuals and most certainly as Masters of our Company , but you will come home exhausted - but happy .

   

June 7th
After a lovely May Holiday break in Kos with the family .This week is busy . On Wednesday we had our FMGP meeting - we are making steady progress with the Company Manual . It was my last meeting as the committee chair - the year has gone so quickly . I wish Ivor well for the next meeting .

Yesterday Lis and I went to the  Buckingham Palace Garden Party . It was a wonderful sunny day and a magic experience.One more use for the morning suit and Lis looked smashing !  We were not introduced to any Royals, but we were very close to the Queen and Prince Philip who had a particularly loud cheer . Little did we know that he was due to go into hospital .

Got to rush - now I am being chased to leave for Ironbridge

May 14th
Lis and I went to St Pauls for the 359th Festival of the Sons of the Clergy in the late afternoon .The Sons and Friends  of the Clergy  is a Charity which supports the Clergy .It was a wonderful ceremony,  full of pageantry and uplifting  music with a serious undertone . The address by the Bishop of Norwich recounting how his own father had benefited from the Charity was moving. One Master commented that this sort of event was at the very heart of our national identity and we felt proud to be there.  

Friday 10th May
I stood at the end of London Bridge by the Station in my robes collecting money for Red Cross, along with other Livery Masters . .It is a long time since I have shaken  a collection bucket and I had forgotten what hard work it is.It is difficult to predict  who is going to give .Almost all of the well dressed and groomed young men just walked by but  I was uplifted by just one of them who had cleared the change from his desk. Tourists gave generously  after asking my advice on directions - assuming that because I was dressed up - I must be official.!!! 

Last week I attended two events with our Clerk

On May 1st we went to the 100+ Club  Luncheon at the Information Technologists Hall . This was established by the  Master of the World Traders ,   Sir Roger Cork  ,who was Master when the Company received its Ordinances as  100 in the Livery Order . So this is  a kind of very modern companies event  . It is organised by the World Traders. The luncheon in memory of Sir Roger was a splendid affair and the toast to the guests was given by the Master of the Company and the response was given by the Master of the Information Technologists, who noted the irony of doing so in his own Hall . I had a very interesting conversation with a Lady Past Master about the ways in which the gender balance could be improved in the Livery ;there was food for thought for us.

On May 3rd after a dash up to Glasgow and back on NRW business , I joined Ralph at the Trial of the Pyx at Goldsmiths Hall . This is an examination  by a jury which consists of Freemen of the Goldsmiths Company of the coins made by the Royal Mint to ascertain that they are of  the right characteristics . The Trial is presided over by the Queen's Remembrancer and is carried out annually in accordance with a  direction issued by the Treasury . The coins were duely declared  to be of the proper characteristics . A splendid lunch in Goldsmirhs Hall was finished off with an  entertaining speech and toast to the guests by the Prime Warden and a very well delivered amusing response by the Chancellor of the Exchequer , George Osborne , who is also Master of the Mint

Wednesday. April 23rd
 St George's Day Lunch at the Company of Watermen & Lightermen

It is always  a pleasure to visit the Watermens' Hall . A lovely touch was the presentation of a red rose button hole .The lunch was delicious and the company stimulating . Regrettably due to commitments in Cardiff that evening I had to leave before the speeches - but I am sure that they would have been entertaining

Thursday. April 24th
Visit to Windsor Castle

Whilst I was having fun in Cardiff , Lis travelled part of the same rail track to go to Windsor for the visit to the Castle.Lis reports that a party of 14 made the visit .'We were so lucky with the weather - no rain . We enjoyed looking around St George's Chapel and the State Apartments . Our guide was very knowledgeable and shared his expertise with us . Afterwards we walked over the River to Eton where we enjoyed lunch at the Christopher Hotel . I should like to thank Janet Reeves for all her help with the arrangements for such a happy day.'

Tuesday April 30th
Visit to the Mansion House
Lis reports 'I have been today  to the Mansion House for a talk and viewing of the Harold Samuel collection of paintings ( with 80 other Mistresses) with the Lady Mayoress , Dr Clare Gifford . The paintings include many Dutch master and are truely spectacular . The lunch was very good , preceded by a prayer which went something like .... Thanks a bunch . For the lunch . That we shall munch .Most memorable .'

  

The Tudor Pull April 21 2013
This is an annual ceremonial event on the River Thames , but  due to family commitments with our recently arrived  granddaughter , we could not make it . So it was our pleasure to offer the opportunity to Past Master Roy Harris and his wife Sonya . It was  a beautiful day and they really enjoyed themselves and their report is given below. Lis and I hope that we can do it another year .

It was with a little trepidation that I accepted the invitation by the Master of the Water Conservators to take his place on the Tudor Pull.  I had heard over the years of the Master and his lady journeying downstream on the Thames in a small boat rowed by a few oarsmen or women and having to suffer whatever the weather chose to throw at them.  As the day drew closer it became clear, through various emails, that this year was going to be different.

Our son drove us to Hampton Court for about 9 am and was able to stay for a while to see the Stela ceremony and also our departure on the boat. Our Beadle and I assembled with the senior warder and a party of Royal Watermen in the courtyard together with the Royal Barge Master and the Master Waterman and Lighterman. As 10.00 am struck a party from the Palace marched to a table in the forecourt with the Stela. After a short ceremony the Barge Master took the Stela to the river front where the boat on which we were to travel the 26 miles to the Tower of London awaited us. It was none other than the Queen’s Royal Barge Gloriana. The Stela travelled in the prow of the barge in front of the eighteen oarsmen.  After some clever manoeuvring of this sizeable vessel, we set off down river accompanied by a few cutters of other livery companies. The Barge is a fabulous vessel and Sonya and I were able to take full advantage of it as, besides us and the Beadle there was only the Master Waterman and Lighterman and his lady and a couple who were reporters on the Evening Standard.

Unsurprisingly we attracted a lot of attention as we travelled downstream.  Many spectators were waving to us and we felt obliged to wave back. There was at times applause as we went past.  We stopped for some time at Richmond which is where the barge is normally housed and encountered numerous sightseers who, I imagine, could not believe their eyes. As we left Richmond, we picked up further livery company cutters and other vessels until the flotilla numbered more than 20. Among this number was “The Water Forget me not” the Water Conservators Cutter manned by the young lady rowers who have done so well on the river in recent years. The Gloriana is owned by Lord Stirling who joined one of the boats in the flotilla which circled the Gloriana to allow him to take numerous photos of it from all angles.

The journey downstream continued in fabulous weather and Sonya and I managed to start the first sun tan of the year.  The water was a little choppy in the lower reaches but Gloriana handled it beautifully. We completed the river trip at St Katherine’s pier by the Tower of London.  We disembarked, collected the Stela the Barge Master and a few Bargemen and processed to the riverside gate of the Tower.  As we approached the gate it was slammed in our face and our right to entry was challenged. Having given a suitable response we were admitted and after a short ceremony the Stela was handed into the safe custody of the Tower to be collected again after a twelve month.

April 18th
Our last lunch as Master and Mistress . All went went well except when I lost the plot with part of the speech much to everyone's amusement !!

Wardens, Visiting Masters, Liverymen, Ladies & Gentlemen

First speech .Presentation of Prize between the main course and dessert

Like other Livery companies we have strong connections to the armed forces and we award prizes for outstanding service  .It is my pleasure to present this year’s prize for outstanding contribution to the RAF No 1 Aeronautical Information Documents Unit to Sergeant Ben Williams . I would like to call upon Wing Commander Slim Dyer  to  read the citation of the award ……………

Stationed at Number 1 Aeronautical Information Documents Unit at Royal Air Force Northolt, Sergeant Ben Williams has demonstrated, throughout an extraordinarily tumultuous year, his ability to motivate and lead his fellow Service men and women with the utmost dedication and loyalty.  At a time when the Unit was suffering loss of key personnel, his immediate boss received a short notice deployment on operations.  Sergeant Williams took charge, assuming further management responsibilities for three key products pivotal to flight safety, namely Low Flying Charts, En-Route Charts and Military Flight Approaches.  Throughout the period, he motivated the chart design cell to meet targets which would ordinarily seem completely impossible.  It is by no means an exaggeration to state that Sergeant Williams’ professional attitude and selfless devotion to achieving the task contributed in no small way to the success of recent operations in West Africa.

Bolstering morale throughout his Unit, through social occasions and sporting events, his selfless commitment to looking after his people has made it possible for No 1 AIDU to weather the austerity storm and begin to pull through these difficult times.  Devoted to Queen and Country, Sergeant Williams is an exceptional pillar of the community and a truly outstanding ambassador for the Armed Forces.

Consequently, I have absolutely no reservations in recommending him for the award of the Worshipful Company of Water Conservators Prize

Thank you Slim

Ben Well done . Congratulations . Please come and receive your prize.

Whilst I have your attention , I would like to call on the Master Hackney Carriage Driver  to make the draw for the 100 club  

 Second Speech in response to that to the  Company by the Principal Guest Paul Hillman President of CIWEM 

Wardens, Visiting Masters, Liverymen, Ladies & Gentlemen

Thank you  Mr Paul Hillman for your most interesting speech . It was insightful . Your point about different approaches to the use of toilets puts me in mind of the experiences that I had during privatisation in which I was asked in a letter to advocate the use of gardens to 'make oneself comfortable' . I declined on the basis that roses might present a health and safety risk . I am also reminded by you of the fundamental importance of water to life and what we have put in the foreword to our book Reflections on Water .. what is the answer to the meaning of  life , the Universe and everything ......it is not 42 , it is 18 the molecular weight of water!!   

Now is the time for me to make some introductions . First may I introduce to you our new Master elect Ivor Richards , the Thames Warden elect  Roger North – who cannot be with us today  , the Fleet Warden elect , Peter Hall and the brand new Walbrook Warden elect  Keith Tozzi who cannot be with us - so Ivor and Peter please stand  and take your acclaim

May I also introduce 2 new Court Assistants (Elect) – Rob Casey & David Lloyd Owen. Please stand

And now may I introduce  David Barrow, Richard Franceys & Carolyn Roberts as new Freemen and David Richards as a new Freeman by Patrimonial Redemption from his father the Master elect . And may I introduce Alan Kay ,  Malcolm Butchers, Simon Catford, Hugh Masters-Williams & Nigel Snee as new Liveryman. Will you all please stand

But I now have the pleasure of introducing Madeleine Rose Lunn  Born on the 3^rd day of July 2011, the lawful Daughter of Martin Lunn, Citizen and Water Conservator, a duly admitted Freeman on the 21^st day of March 2005, be entitled at the age of 21 years to be admitted a Freeman of the Water Conservators Company by Patrimony.

This entitlement being in compliance with Ordinance 6b as constituted on the 6^th day of July 1999, and ratified by an Order of the Court of Aldermen dated the 1^st day of January 2000.

Oh yez  !!!

 Madeleine is the first Freeman to be admitted in this way – so Martin  will you please come and receive the  certificate . 

Every Master I have heard speak towards the end of his or her year says the same … it has all gone so quickly . and whilst we have some 2 and a half months to go  , this is my last lunch as Master.We have really enjoyed ourselves and made a number of new friends some of whom are here today .

We have striven this year to set clear objectives which bring benefit to all of the company and I emphasise all so we have tried to reach out and involve as many members as possible in events and projects  . Well we have not achieved a 100% and never expected to  but we have done very well . By the end of the year we will have delivered several completed projects and I look forward to writing the review of this year  . I am very pleased and proud to be a member of a successful  team . Thank you to our Court and in particular to the FMGP Network and our  Clerk  for helping to deliver .Thank you to the WET 10 , which was chaired by Colin Drummond one of our Past Masters , and of course with the contribution from Jeremy Courtney Past Master Farmer and Rex Thornborough Master Gardner who is sat beside me on the top table.

I have been asked what Lis and I  will do to fill our time . I think that I have got enough to do in Wales to keep me busy for a while yet . But what will we do when that comes to an end 

The other day I heard a story of what might be in store .and I recount it verbatim .

The other day my wife and I went into town and went into a shop. We were only in there for about five minutes.

When we came out, there was a policeman writing out a parking ticket. We went up to him and said, 'Come on sir, how about giving a pensioner a break?'

He ignored us and continued writing the ticket. So I called him a fascist bastard. He glared at me and started writing another ticket for having worn tyres. So my wife called him a rather rude name . He finished the second ticket and put it on the windscreen with the first. Then he started writing a third ticket.

This went on for about 20 minutes. The more we abused him, the more tickets he wrote..

Personally, we didn't care. We came into town by bus, but we try to have a little fun each day now that we're retired. It's important at our age.I look forward to hearing during the stirrup cup what naughty tales the Past Masters present can tell us about their retirement activities.

Well that’s it folks as they say .I m very glad to announce that at the nomination of Court Assistant Mike Williamson , today’s retiring collection will go to Water Aid  a very worthy cause as described on your menus – so please give generously... we raised £ 800  

May I invite you  all join us at the  Stirrup Cup. May I wish you all a safe journey home and may God go with you 

April 11 th
The Master's dinner debate at the Reform Club on the future of the water industry . This was attended by 28 people . The discussion was led by Martin Baggs, CEO of Thames Water , a Freeman of the Company, and it was most stimulating . Thank you Martin - I cannot say what we discussed -it was Chatham House rules.
Thank you to Nigel Snee of Franklin Hodge for sponsoring the event and to Nick Reeves and Lorraine Poole of  CIWEM for organizing it we could not have managed without you  . We must do more of these !!

We are a little bit late . Easter and the launch of Natural Resources Wales has caused delays . Both went well !!!

On March 26th Lis went to the Furniture Makes lunch at their Hall , for Livery Mistresses . There was entertainment with a couple of acting small scenes with a "Mistress scenario" - very good and entertaining . It was  a fundraising event for the Furniture Masters charities and hence there was a raffle but Lis reports that she did not win a prize .

On March 27th Lis went to a Masters'  Ladies Lunch on the HQS Wellington hosted by the Master Mariner. After coffee at 11 am Lis joined a party for a tour of the ship , followed by  most pleasant lunch . As always the Master was most welcoming .

Both of these events gave Lis a wonderful opportunity to get to know some of the other Ladies and this will put us in good stead for the Livery weekend in Ironbridge in June.

On April 3rd after a successful launch of Natural Resources Wales in South Wales  I went to the Easter court dinner of the Worshipful Company of Parish Clerks . We dined in the crypt of Guildhall , slightly chilly, but very pleasant surroundings and excellent food . The toasts were most unusual . The response on behalf of  the guests by Murray  Craig Clerk of the Chamberlain's  Court was very amusing . I sat next next to the Rev Canon Dvaid Parrott of St Lawrence Jewry , the Guildhall Chapel ,  and found that his grandmother had lived very close to where we now live in Fenstanton . Life is very strange and co-incidental !!

Thursday March 21
I went to the Spring Court Dinner of the Worshipful Company of Hackney Carriage Drivers .. and not the Taxi Drivers !  This was held in the lovely surroundings of Saddlers Hall . The principal guest was His Honour Judge Brian Barker QC Recorder of London. As always Judges make excellent after dinner speakers and he entertained us with a mixture of humour and serious commentary . He drew a distinction between being  none the wiser, but better informed after some submissions in Court.

By the way in my blog for March 14 I referred to excellent sources of formal wear - one such source is Clermont .. not Clearmont .

Two in a Day
March 20th started with a meeting of our FMGP . I am very pleased and proud of the progress that we have all made against the objectives we committed to this year . I am also sad that we are now in the back of the year . It goes so quickly .

On to the Master Mariners lunch  with our Clerk . The Master Mariner John Freestone  was so welcoming  and we see a lot of one another on the circuit - he and I  used to work together in the PLA . The principal guest was Ian McNaught ,  a current colleague , Deputy Master of Trinity House , and former Captain of QE2 . There was lots of merriment about various people being at sea .The Master Mariners must surely be unique in celebrating absence .. on the high seas .... but it is in  their soul to be sailing .!

 Taxi Drivers tomorrow !

Two glorious days on Mar 14 and 15
The first was  the Dinner for the Masters , Prime Wardens and Upper Bailiff of the Livery Companies  at the Mansion House ... a white tie do . I bought my ensemble from mytuxedo.com and Clearmont on the advice of other Masters - and that was good advice . The food and company was really enjoyable - there are such nice people in the Livery . There were speeches by the Lord Mayor and the Master Mercer and Master Grocer which addressed the future of the Livery and the commitment we must all make to its future . It was again a message of tradition blending with innovation .But the pageantry was magnificent and that takes me on to day 2 .. the 15th

This was my second service in St Pauls in a week and it was the United Guild Service . This started in 1943 during the Second World War to lift the spirits if London, and has carried on since . Again the pageantry was striking . The sermon by the Bishop of London focussed on generosity and tolerance . Afterwards Lis and I and several of our company lunched at Browns for a very enjoyable end to the week  - thank you for organising that Ralph.

Now on to next week ...... !

March 13 A busy day
First, I went to Evensong at St Paul's Cathedral to celebrate 650 years since the Vinters gained their first Royal Charter . It is always a pleasure to go to a Service there . The Bishop of London gave a most interesting Sermon in which he drew a Christian message  from  looking after the land  of vineyards( something which  we can resonate with ) and the social responsibilities of  vintners as part of retail trade and  as a  pivotal part of our social framework .

Then on to Buckingham Palace to hear the first Bellamy lecture organised by CIWEM and the Conservation Foundation . It was hosted by Prince Philip and delivered by Chris Bain . It was a most enlightening and pleasant evening . A really interesting message ( apart from just how much passion can drive change !) was the concept that rather than oppose developments such as HS2 we ought to ask the question - what can these projects do for the environment ? For example HS2 could create a major wildlife corridor . Something to think about for Wales particularly as Chris used  Wales as an example in his talk' From Summit to Seabed'.

As at July the 20th when I am reviewing my year I realise that I omitted the Modern Companies Dinner on March 11 - my only mistake - a pity because I recall it being a very enjoyable event  in which we started the idea of swopping thoughts and experiences in being a modern companies  .

Monday 4th March Evening
I attended the WET 10  debate on droughts and floods - what is happening to the weather ?This was not so much a debate as a duologue by Paul Leinster CE of the Environment Agency and John Hirst CE of the Met Office . This was a most interesting and well organised evening . The question is - is 2012 the new normal or will we look back at it as a freak year? Time will tell .It  has certainly affected policies and practices to improve resilience . Well done to Colin Drummond and others on the WET10 committee  . I did not stop for the networking afterwards as I felt under the weather having started a heavy cold that day !!!  

On the evening of the 18 February  the Lord Mayor hosted  the speech by the Deputy PM Nick Clegg at the Mansion House and I attended . In fact the Lord Mayor himself was away overseas on business representing the benefits of financial services in the UK and the evening was hosted by a Past Lord Mayor Sir David Howard . The Deputy PM's speech was most interesting in that he was promoting the ideas of a resurgent economy being based on  a network  of more independent and successful cities throughout the country . This would not to detract from the role that the City of London plays in the nation's finances but would strengthen it . He drew analogies with the USA ,Germany and Japan .This was a launch of the Government's City Deals.

Thank you to Stella and Nigel Mattravers for organising a regional visit
Over 20 Water Conservators and guests visited Rich's Cider Farm near Bridgwater on February 28 . A very enthusiastic manager told us all about the ins and outs of cider making and left us cold but warm with appreciation of  the benefits of 'boutique' production.The visit was rounded of with a really splendid lunch and a visit to the shop . As Lis has relatives in the area - will be be back !!!! This achieves another one of the objectives this year of increasing our regional presence and of increasing the number of  Water Conservators who participate in our affairs .

A busy day on Feb 12

The Water Conservators team of Fiona Begely  ' Keith Tozzi , Rob Casey and your Master did not disgrace themselves in the Pancake Race at Guildhall but we were not winners . We were certainly cold .Thank fellow runners .

After a peaceful afternoon ,I went to the Constructors Awards Dinner at Stationers Hall  . Very pleasant surroundings and company . The awards were inspiring in seeing so many young people coming through and none more so than those given to service personnel in Afghanistan. The speeches were interesting . That to the guests was given by a Past Master , the wife of the current Master who worked with the principal guest Douglas Oakervee in Hong Kong . Douglas is Chair of HS2 and spoke in spirited defence of this major infrastructure project .

A long day finished by going to  bed at 1 am  

Today, I , Ralph our Clerk , Martin Baggs Liveryman and CEO Thames Water , and Chris Sneath Chair of WaterSafe ,Past Master of the Plumbers  and incoming chair of WET 10 ,made a successful team presentation to the Energy and Sustainability Sub Committee of the City of London. This focussed on WET 10 , WaterSafe and services of Thames Water in London . We hope to repeat this in future years and strengthen our links to the Corporation . A copy of the presentation will be on our website.

Lunch at Home
On the 28th January we had the Myddelton Lunch at Trinity House where I serve as a member of the General Lighthouse Authority . It was splendid affair with the Lord Mayor as the Guest of Honour .I give my speeches which record the essence of the event - I will fill in the bit about the Lord Mayor's speech when I am happy that it is a fair record

Welcome to Guests  

Wardens, My Lord Mayor, Mr Sheriff, Liverymen, Ladies & Gentlemen

First before I  say  anything formally   may I thank you all for coming today it gives Lis and I a great delight in seeing you .I trust that you have all enjoyed  the wonderful surroundings and delicious food.

So on your behalf  may I thank the Deputy Master of Trinity House for the use of his  facilities and , as always  Mark Grove for the catering . May I also thank the Rev Canon Flora Winfield of St Mary at Hill who conducted such an uplifting service this morning  . This matched the very pleasant Christmas Service that some of  us attended in December . The Rev Winfield apologises that she cannot be with us for lunch

Today we celebrate the granting of Livery status to our Company  in 2000 and to do so we describe this as the Myddelton lunch in honour of Sir Hugh  Myddelton . Sir Hugh did so much in improving water services in London and oversaw the creation of the New River at the start of the 17^th century  .

May I now welcome our guests

First welcome to the  The Master World Trader John- Burbidge- King and Clerk Gaye Duffy. John has had a very active career in world trading and as a result speaks Arabic . So Marharban ,

Next may I welcome  Nick Gilks  accompanied by  Penny Gilks of the Maidstone Sea Cadets. Nick does some wonderful things with the young people of Maidstone and we give them support through Court Assistant Trevor Harrington , so thank you to both of them 

May I welcome Paul  Hillman  President of CIWEM – one of the Institutions with which we have close working relationships and we will see more of Paul as he will be the principal guest at our Election Court lunch in April.

It also gives me great pleasure to welcome  Sheriff Nigel Pullman accompanied by Elizabeth Truesdale . Lis and I   have got to know Nigel and Elizabeth  on the circuit starting with a very wet day in October at the Thames Fishing Experiment when we nearly floated out of the Marquee . An extra connection today is that Nigel was Clerk of the World Traders when we received our Livery and Ted Jackson who is with us today was the Master. Welcome

Now finally  a special welcome to the Lord Mayor Alderman Roger Gifford and the Lady Mayoress , Clare . In the short time we have available it is impossible to extol all his achievements  , but apart from a love of the livery which we share, I notice from his CV that he has very strong connections with Sweden where I also worked for a while – so in Swedish - Valkommen 

I have here a cheque for  £1,000 for the Lord Mayor’s Appeal .This includes the Gifford Wood  in Epping Forest   I think that this is very important for us as we all realise now the critical  relationship between forest and woodland conservation and water conservation.With my new responsibilities in Wales for forests – this is another interest we share

May I say that Lis and I are having a very enjoyable year  and we do our best to keep the blog up to date . I have to report that most of the projects  this year are on track and I am very pleased that we have enough material to make our book Reflections on Water a very viable project . Thank you to all have contributed and there is just enough time left if any of you here today would like to add your piece as well.

When we toast the health of our guests we must really mean what we say rather than going through  a process . So as we are here today as water conservators contributing to the health and wealth of the City –it makes absolute sense for us to toast the health of our guests in water . So members of the company please be upstanding with your glasses of water and toast the health of our guests

The Guests 

 Now responding to the Lord Mayor's toast

Wardens, My Lord Mayor, Mr Sheriff, Liveryman, Ladies & Gentlemen

May I thank the Lord Mayor for his speech it was most insightful . The Lord Mayor has reminded us of how in bygone times the distinction between the arts and sciences was not as rigid as it has been in more recent times. I have in mind great polymaths as Leonardo da Vinci . Well we are beginning to rediscover this and for example CIWEM has an arts and environment network . One of the ways that we can do this  reconnection is through  education which respects the learning of bygone times but always challenges to determine if there are better ways of doing things . And so this company, through its Charitable Trust ,supports  students

The Company and Trust have a very successful University Bursary programme for Masters students studying water, waste and environment topics. We currently have about 11 universities in the programme. In addition to supporting our own Bursary student we give a prize for the best dissertation. Recently two awards have been made, to Myngyong Tian studying at Wadham College and to Anthony Hall – Tony - at Sheffield University. 

Myngyong cannot be with us today but Tony is, together with his supervisor Dr Steve Thornton. Anthony’s dissertation was entitled ‘Characteristics of Microbial Communities in a denitrifying Bioreactor’ – not necessarily a subject for discussion over Sunday lunch, but one of importance to our Company. I should like to congratulate Tony and, as a symbol of our long-standing support to this research, I should like to present him with a Certificate, and a water jug and glasses. As it happens, Tony was also our 2012 Bursary student at Sheffield.Tony please come forward and receive your prize and certificate and water jug .

Whilst I am on this theme may I  mention  two students from Wadham College Oxford, both studying for an MSc in “Water Science, Policy and Management” who are in receipt of our bursaries. 

Rose Norman.  Rose has a BSc in Ecological Science from the University of Edinburgh with specialisations in conservation and ecological management.  Rose joined the MSc immediately after Edinburgh .

Jane Crowder. Jane has a Master’s degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Liverpool. She spent the last 12 years firstly as an advisor and engineering team leader for Water Aid and then advisor to DFID in Bangladesh.  Before starting the MSc she was a member of DFID’s Water and Sanitation Policy Team. 

The Lady Mayoress drew the draw for the 100 club which raises money for our charity 

We  organise a scheme called Pupils Prizes and brochures are available – please take one and encourage your local school to enter .

As far as forthcoming activities are concerned we are making a presentation to the CoL Energy and Sustainability Sub committee  and I am being joined by Martin Baggs .We are participating in the City Pancake race on Feb  12 please come and support us – probably under the armpits  .We have  Company lunch in Highbridge in Somerset on Feb 28  see the website speak to Nigel Mattravers and of course we are supporting the WET 10 Debate  at Glaziers Hall  on March 4 on what is happening to the weather   and organising a dinner debate on the challenges of running a modern water utility  at the reform club on April 11 thanks to Nick Reeves of CIWEM with the principal speaker being Martin Baggs

And then after the next court meeting Lis is organising a visit to Windsor Castle on April 24.

The Thames Warden has asked me to remind you of the  September visit to Ruthin please register as soon as possible

May I wish you all the best for 2013 and a safe journey home .We raised £805 for our charity in the collection .

Well we have been busy over the last few weeks . Natural Resources Wales is moving ahead very quickly now and we have a new granddaughter Poppy. There is heavy snow outside and I am catching up

You  are aware of the project this year to produce a book for the Water Conservators called Reflections on Water . We have enough to publish and we have a sponsor . So it will happen and authors' time will not be wasted . But we are still  a little short of contributions from Members of the Company . I should very much appreciate if you would make a contribution on whatever you like and please do contact me .