APRIL/MAY 2005

To view the master's year to date by each month, click on the links below.

Armed Forces Memorial Appeal Launch Imperial War Museum, London
Wednesday 6th April 2005.
Today Tomorrow Forever

The Company of Security Professionals was asked to support this appeal, and the Charitable Trustees of the Company agreed to do so. As a consequence your Master was invited to attend its public launch. The launch took place at The Imperial War Museum, London at 1045 and ended at 12.00.

There were a very large number of guests at this event, mostly from ex service organisations and related charities. We were welcomed by Vice Admiral Sir John Dunt KCB, Chairman of the Armed Forces Memorial Trustees. He was followed by a video statement by HRH The Prince of Wales, Patron of the Appeal. Other speakers included John Simpson CBE of the BBC; Mrs Jenny Green OBE, Chairman of the War Widows’ Association, Simon Weston OBE, Falklands Veteran; Liam O’Connor, Architect; and Ivor Caplin, MP Minister for Veterans.

Sixteen thousand British servicemen and women who gave their lives to their country since the end of the Second World War will at last gain recognition of their sacrifice, thanks to a nationwide appeal launched to day to build the Armed Forces Memorial.

The Armed Forces Memorial Trust is appealing to the public to raise £4 million for the construction of this new national memorial, which will commemorate those killed on duty or as a result of terrorist action. There will also be capacity on the memorial for names to be added in the future.
Unlike traditional war memorials, which commemorate those killed in specific conflicts, the Armed Forces memorial is unique in that it will recognise British Servicemen and Women who have been killed on duty. Importantly, members of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary and the Merchant Navy who died in conflict zones while in direct support of the Armed Forces will also be included.

For families and friends, this memorial will provide an important place for quiet contemplation of the sacrifice these men and women made.

Jenny Green, chairman of the War Widows Association of Great Britain and President of the RAF Widows Association, said: "I speak on behalf of thousands of widows and their families, many of whom do not have a place to visit to remember their loved ones. The Armed Forces Memorial will provide national recognition of those killed on duty and serve as a permanent reminder, to all those who go there, of the sacrifices that were made Vice Admiral Sir John Dunt KCB, Chairman of the Armed Forces Memorial Trust, said, "The Armed Forces memorial will not only recognise those killed in conflict, it will also commemorate servicemen and women killed in many different circumstances, for example while on exercise, during operations, on peacekeeping duties or as a result of training accidents. The memorial will provide a peaceful place of remembrance for everyone who has lost a loved one in the service of their country.

This memorial will be built at the National Arboretum, near Litchfield, Staffs.

Those of you who read my pages and who wish to make a donation can give online at www.forcesmemorial.org.uk or send a cheque to The Armed Forces Memorial Appeal, First Floor, Zone A, St Georges’s Court, 2-12 Bloomsbury Way, London, WC1A 2SH

Ceremony of the Keys – Tower of London, 8th April 2005.

    
pictured left: The Company's guests, The Inkerman Group, waiting for the Tower to let them in.

Once again Paul Holmes, Freeman of the Company of Security Professionals and Court Assistant, organised an outstanding evening event for the members of the Company and their guests at the Tower of London. It was a dry, but chilly evening and we all assembled out side the West Gate of the Tower. Paul introduced us to our guide a very senior and splendid Yeoman Warder Sergeant.

  
pictured left: The Greater London Assembly Building from the Tower.
pictured right: The Erotic Gherkin, Swiss Re Building, from the Tower.


pictured: Traitors Gate, leading to the river.

He led us through the Tower explaining the history of this magnificent fortress, which stands at the edge of the River Thames, built by William the Conqueror. He regaled us with many a grisly tale of the horrors that took place within its forbidding walls. The chapel, a haven of peace adjacent to the Green, was of particular interest, especially as we were informed that renovations to the chapel had revealed the remains of countless skeletons, a rather sad place. Soon it was time for the nightly ceremony of "The Keys". This ceremony is the securing of the Tower for the night. Gates are locked by the duty Warder (Beefeater) escorted by an armed guard. A very solemn and dignified ceremony it was. The Foot Guards were immaculate and the drill exemplary. Soon it was time for refreshment at the Mess where we all enjoyed and excellent buffet supper washed down with good English ale. It was a super evening, hugely enjoyable and excellently organised. If you have never been to the Tower of London then the ceremony of "The Keys" is not be missed. Equally I am truly grateful to The Inkerman Group for sponsoring this event.

    
pictured: Traitors Gate, leading to the river.

Company Visit to the RAF Regiment - 12th April 2005.

The Station Commander, Air Commodore Steve Abbott, CBE, MPhil, BA, ADC welcomed our group to his Station and briefed us on the role and function of the RAF Regiment to day and the role of his station. For this visit I was accompanied by Henry McKay, Steve Parsons, Mike O’Connor, Paul Holmes and Ian Henderson. It was disappointing that the Company had such a low turnout for this, our first visit to our military affiliate.

   
pictured left: Air Commodore Steve Abbott with Paul Holmes, Mike O'Connor, Ian Henderson and Wing Commander Russ Barnes. pictured right: Steve Parsons sees the joke, with Wing Commander Andy Hall. Henry McKay and Ian Henderson, in the Officer's Mess

   
pictured: Some of the RAF Regiment silver on display

Our escort officer was Flt Lt Rich Lane, who had great difficulty in controlling this group of civilians because all of us were so interested by what we saw and with whom we spoke that to keep to the timed programme was a problem, for him!

pictured: A US Army Humvee from Iraq, in the RAF Regiment Museum.

The Station Commander explained the impact that the recent defence cuts would have on force levels and also briefed us on the operational roles that the RAF Regiment is currently engaged, especially in Iraq. The Regiment also are serving in the Falklands, Belize, and Afghanistan, to name but a few worldwide locations. We received briefing on training from Wing Commander Russ Barnes, who told us that the Regiment takes its recruits straight from Civvy Street in to the Regiment where they undergo some 26 weeks of training. The training that these men receive is excellent and transforms them from boys into very confident and competent young men.

pictured: The USA/RAF Regiment Exchange programme corner, now in its 40th year.

Wing Commander Andy Hall talked to us about Force Protection, where the RAF Regiment, the RAF Police, the various RAF Ground Trades and elements of the Army, combine together to provide that essential coordinated element to enable the RAF to mount air operations as part of the new Expeditionary Air Force. We were shown a whole range of specialist equipment including reconnaissance drones, which the Regiment operate; this was of particular interest to Steve Parsons. The land mine training exhibit was sobering.

   
pictured left: Henry McKay examines some of the assorted weaponry.
pictured right: Mike O'Connor and Ian Henderson in the weapons display area.


pictured: More weapons.

Lunch was taken in the Officers Mess where we saw many of the Regiments treasures and sliver. Following lunch we spent a very interesting and illumination time in the Museum. Sqn Ldr Paul Bruning, the RAF Regiment Secretary, conducted us around the exhibits, many of which are from the early 1920’s where the RAF and its Armoured Cars operated to keep the peace in what is now Iraq. These Armoured Car squadrons were the forerunners of the Regiment, which was formed in 1942. The Burma exhibits, the CT operations in Malaya, Palestine, Aden and the Oman were of particular interest, as was the medal room. The vehicles, guns and general hardware on display would keep anyone happy for ages.

   
pictured: Members of No2 Squadron training on the 5.56mm Light Machine Gun prior to deploying to Iraq.

Our final port of call was to Number II Squadron, the elite squadron of the RAF Regiment. The Squadron Commander, Dave Tait welcomed us to his command, explaining that the Squadron were preparing to deploy, for the third time, to Basra for a four month stint of duty. This squadron is an airborne squadron, and like any airborne outfit the training is especially tough and demanding. There is no shortage of volunteers to serve on No II Sqn. We saw weapon training in progress which included 81mm Mortar training and training on the new Light Machine Gun, the Minimi.

By now the clock had reached 5.00p.m, way past our planned departure time, so we dashed off to say farewell to the Station Commander, Air Commodore Steve Abbott, have a quick cup of tea and express our thanks to him and all his staff and the men of the Regiment, for a really wonderful, interesting and enjoyable day.

Company of Security Professionals Golf Day - Moor Park Golf Club
Wednesday 20th April 2005

Yet again Collin Culleton, Freeman of the Company of Security Professionals, excelled him-self by organising, for the fifth year running a really great Company Golf Day.

18 teams arrived at the magnificent club house at Moor Park, for breakfast, the draw for the mornings play; a briefing by Colin and off they went. The golf day had begun. Unlike last year, it was dry, but very chilly.

After lunch the teams then set to for the four ball and some excellent play was to be seen, I enjoyed watching many of the players around the course, all appeared to be hugely enjoying the experience, especially playing at Moor Park.

The dinner and prize giving, again arraigned by Colin, was very smoothly run and all of the prize-winners received very handsome trophies. Finally the 70 or so diners all dipped into their pockets and raised just under £1500 for the raffle, a magnificent gesture. All the funds raised by this event go to our charitable trust fund, for which I am particularly grateful.

I would like to publicly recognise Colin for his untiring work in putting these golf days together, he is a great asset to the Company are we all owe him a huge debit of gratitude. Many thanks’ Colin, well done!

Dinner at the Honourable Artillery Company
Thursday 12th April 200 Armory House The Grand Dining Room

This year we were extremely fortunate to dine at this very splendid establishment, the Honourable Artillery Company. It is the oldest Regiment in the British Army and traces its ancestry back to 1537.

The evening was organised by Court Assistant Ray Williams, to whom we are all deeply indebted; for clearly through his hard work and attention to detail we all enjoyed a sumptuous dinner and were equally fortunate to listen to the wise words of our after dinner speaker, Sir Crispin Tickell GCMG KCVO. His speech was warmly received and provoked many questions. His theme was on the environment and the concerns to the planet from global warming. He is, inter alia, a Director of the Green College Centre for Environmental Policy and Understanding. The Company sent him a cheque for this centre which is amongst his chosen charities.

Finally, I would like to say a very big "thank you" to The Corps, for sponsoring this dinner and our Company’s Charitable Trust. Thank you gentlemen very much.

The 351st Festival of the Sons of the Clergy – St Paul’s Cathedral Tuesday 17th May 2005.

I attended this service for the first time on behalf of the Company. The charity now known as the Corporation of the Sons of the Clergy was founded in the middle of the seventeenth century by a group of sons of clergymen, to whom it owes its name. They recognised that there was a need for charitable help for many members of the clergy who had remained loyal to the monarchy during the Commonwealth period under Cromwell but who were destitute after being deprived of their livings The first festival was held in 1655 and there had been a festival every year since then, making this, it is believed, the oldest service of its kind in the Anglican Communion.

By tradition at this Festival Service the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Lord Mayor process together in State. This year the Archbishop of Canterbury was unable to attend, but the Lord Mayor accompanied by the Sheriffs processed with the Bishop of London. The Archbishop of Wales, The Bishops of Derby, Chelmsford, Wakefield, Tewkesbury and Dorking and Bishops Flack, Luscombe, Weeks and Henley proceeded up the aisle with the Aldermen of the City plus over 75 of the Livery Companies of the City represented by their Masters, Prime Wardens and Upper Bailiff. Al were fully robed and "clothed" in their Livery. It was a spectacle to behold.

The feature of this festival service is its sermon delivered by a distinguished preacher and the fine music. The preacher was the Reverend Angela Tilby, The Vice-Principal, Westcott House, Cambridge. The Choirs were from St Paul’s Cathedral, York Minster and New College, Oxford. The Service and the music were wonderful. Company members must try to attend if they possibly can.

The Presentation of Letters Patent to the Worshipful Company of Tax Advisers
and Luncheon at The Mansion House, Wednesday 18th May 2005.

The Clerk, John Maddock and I were honoured to be invited to join with the Tax Advisers, the 107 Company to achieve Livery. [We should be next and become the 108 Livery Company]. The dress for this occasion was morning dress with black waistcoat. I was suitably attired wearing my Company tie and Masters Badge of office with full medals.

The ceremony began at 11.30 with the presentation of the Letters Patent to the Company by the Lord Mayor of London, the Rt Hon. Michael Savory. The ceremony was conducted in the Ballroom at the Mansion House which was packed with members of the Tax Advisers and their guests. The ceremony was very dignified. The Lord Mayor was preceded into the Ballroom by the City Marshall, Common Crier and Sergeant-at-Arms and the Swordbearer supported by the Sheriffs and Aldermen as well as the officers of the Corporation of London. The Master and Wardens then attended upon the Lord Mayor to receive their formal admission to the Livery and their Letters Patent.

After the formal presentations and the speeches, we repaired to the main reception rooms and were greeted by the Master Mr Clive Tulloch and collected a glass of champagne. The reception area was guarded by a contingent of Pikemen and Musketeers from the Honourable Artillery Company, who had earlier escorted the Lord Mayor and his party into the Ballroom, to a steady drum beat.
The lunch was a very happy occasion, the Lord Mayor spoke about the Tax Advisers, welcoming them to the Livery. The Master, after unveiling the Letters Patent with the support of the Richmond Herald, Mr Patrick Dickinson, gave a very witty and enjoyable speech thanking the many people who had all helped to make possible this red letter day; he was particularly kind in which he made special reference to the Company of Security Professionals, wishing us every success in our quest to become a Full Livery Company.

The Worshipful Company of Hackney Carriage Drivers
Election Court Lunch at Founders’ Hall on 19th May 2005.

The Master, John Rennie Esq invited the Clerk and me to join them in an excellent luncheon to celebrate the election of the new members to the Court of the Worshipful Company of Hackney Carriage Drivers. The Founders’ Hall is one of the smaller Halls and as such made for a very convivial day. The principal speaker was Mr Hugh Dyson-Laurie, the Master of the Saddlers Company.