DECEMBER 2004

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

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DECEMBER JAN/FEBRUARY/MARCH APRIL/MAY

The Business Academy – Bexley - Presentation Evening, Thursday 2nd December 2004

I was delighted to be invited by the Chairman of Governors, Mr Tim Garnham, to join him, fellow Governors and the staff, students and their parents at this centre of academic excellence on Thursday 2nd December for their annual prize giving. I was asked to present the Company of Security Professionals annual prize.

pictured: The Chairman of the Governors, Mr Tim Garnhan address the assembly

I was warmly greeted upon my arrival at the Business Academy by Steve Neville, our Chairman of Trustees and by the Principal, Mr Tim Widdowes. Following the introductions I was taken on a tour of the establishment to view the facilities on offer to the students. The main building, designed by Sir Norman Foster, is a masterpiece of modern 21st century architecture of glass, concrete and steel. The Academy is equipped with the latest technology that enhances teaching and captures the imagination of the students. The dedicated staff, coupled with state of the art learning systems, enthuses the students to develop their potential and excel. I noticed that it is a place of peace and tranquillity where the enthusiastic and dedicated cohort of teachers truly does develop young minds in a positive manner.

pictured: The Master awarding the Company of Security Professionals prize to Ms Jenny Diep.
Mr Tim Garnham looks on

The prize giving was a great occasion for the students, teachers and the parents. We all were entertained by the school choir, who sang beautifully. The speakers highlighted the achievements of the Academy since its reformation some 18 months ago, for example it is now the top performing business academy in the City and its success rate for GCSE passes at A and A* has risen from 6% to 30%.

pictured: The Master shares a joke with the Deputy Principal of the Academy.

Our connection and support to the Academy is greatly appreciated and is a tangible example of the contribution from the members of the Company of Security Professionals in helping an educational establishment to thus greatly enhance this centre of excellence in what is a very deprived area of Greater London. The Academy shines like a beacon in which all the local residents in the area can take great pride.

City University, London, 38th Annual General Meeting of the Court.
Monday 6th December 2004

Those of you who read the text on our web site will know that The Treloar Trust is my charity for my Masters year. [Your contributions to my charity are eagerly sought, so please send me something; I am the eternal optimist and know that your cheques, no matter how small, will come through.]

pictured: Sir William Purdie Treloar

The Lord Mayor of London, the Right Honourable Alderman Michael Savory and the Lady Mayoress, Mrs Fiona Savory paid the traditional Lord Mayor’s annual visit to the Treloar Trust on Tuesday 8th February. Accompanying the Lord Mayor and the Lady Mayoress were Mr Sheriff David Cobb and Mrs Audrey Cobb, Mrs Kay Brock, Private Secretary to the Lord Mayor, and the Common Cryer and Sergeant at Arms Richard Martin. There were 28 Livery Companies represented by their respective Masters, Prime Wardens and Upper Bailiffs.

The School and College made us all so very welcome, led by the Chief Executive, Colonel John Sweeting and the Chairman of the Trustees Bruce Powell. After the welcome, and briefing we were then divided in to easily managed groups for the tour of the School. The groups were each led by a staff member and a member of the Board of Governors. Our group was led by Mrs Robina Nicholson and parent governor, Mrs Kathleen Tuffy. We toured the school, viewed the many facilities and met many of the students and the staff. We all were most impressed by the care and devotion extended by the staff and helpers to each and every student. The students were marvellous and fun to talk to. They loved having their picture taken with my badge of office around their necks. Also, I was actively engaged in a deep discussion on art, music and the pop scene. Equally I was delighted to meet so many Chelsea fans. (My team!). My wife Sue was equally pleased by the support for Manchester United, her team! The Students at Treloar’s are very mindful of others who may not be so advantaged as themselves and we were moved by the efforts that the students had taken to support the Tsunami Appeal following the cataclysmic disaster on the 28th December 2004.

Luncheon was taken in the Newton-Davis Hall, where we talked about the new building project and the need for additional funds and technical equipment to support the wonderful work that Treloar’s undertakes. The Lord Mayor made a short speech in response to a speech of welcome highlighting the centenary of Treloar’s. There are 320 students at Treloar’s supported by over 700 staff. They do need your help.

After lunch we all moved to the College and met many of the students who are moving into higher education and on to University. Here we were escorted by Chris Page, who is 22 year old and in his third year at College. He is studying an Edexcel Working Skills for Life programme; he is leaving the College in July 2005 and hoping to transfer to the Queen Elizabeth Foundation. He was an excellent guide and a source of much knowledge and was a delight to meet with.

After tea we then took our leave and Sue and I went away with the satisfaction that it was a most delightful and fun day at the School and College. The sun shone upon us all which certainly added to the very happy ambience that is to be found at Treloar’s. If you want to visit this outstanding establishment, top marks from OFSTEAD by the way, then please contact me and I will do the rest.

You can look up Treloar’s on their web site: www.treloar.org.uk

Rt Hon The Lord Mayor of London Alderman Michael Savory Yearly Address to the City Livery Companies The Mansion House Tuesday 7th December 2004

The Clerk and I attended upon The Lord Mayor of London’s Yearly Address to the Masters, Prime Wardens, Upper Bailiffs and their Clerks at The Mansion House.

The Lord Mayor outlined his policy for his year, the role of the City and the part played by the Livery Companies. He stressed, inter alia, the need for the Livery Companies to be more outward looking and to explain their role and function to a much wider audience, than just to the City institutions. He remarked upon the growth of the new Livery Companies and welcomed the progress and the need to react with the times. He spoke about the heavy workload place upon The Lord Mayor, especially in the role of marketing the City of London as the place for world business. His overseas visits, on behalf of the City and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, will take up more than 40% of his time. He cautioned the Livery Companies that he would not necessarily be able to attend so many Livery functions as his predecessors because of his additional duties require him to act as the Ambassador for the City. He advised the Livery Companies that they should seek other key speakers rather than expect him to attend many of their functions, however, he stressed that he would attend as many as his schedule would allow.

Following his presentation, the Clerk and I mingled with the many Masters present and took refreshment that was on offer, champagne and nibbles, most enjoyable.

Annual Christmas Luncheon – Waterman’s Hall 10th December 2004.

We gathered together at Waterman’s Hall for our annual end of year event. It was a sell out occasion and here I must thank Steve Neville for organising this excellent lunch. The joy of this occasion is that all of us, including your Master, can really relax and enjoy ourselves. The meal was traditional turkey with all the trimmings followed by Christmas pudding and mince pies, all suitably washed down with some excellent wines! I took it as a training run for the 25th!

  
pictured left: Penny Parsons, The Treasurer - Henry Mckay, Mrs Mckay and The Clerk - John Maddock.
pictured right: The Immediate Past Master - Una Riley, Ms Tallulah Riley-Milburn and Andy Bromley.

Our sponsors for this luncheon were SANYO, to whom we are most grateful and very appreciative of their generosity.

  

pictured top left: The Middle Warden - Mr John Purnell and Denise Jackson.
pictured top right: The Master and Peter Thorogood, the principal guest and speaker.
pictured above: Alderman - David Brewer in conversation with the Senior Warden - Trevor Gray

I invited our sponsoring Alderman David Brewer CMG, in my short speech of welcome that, could he give us the honour of becoming an Honorary Freeman of the Company of Security Professionals in recognition for his very generous support and advice since our formation. He accepted our offer with the greatest of pleasure. 2005 will be a special year for Alderman Brewer, who, if nominated by the City Liverymen and elected by his fellow Aldermen at Common Hall in September, will become our Lord Mayor in November 2005/06.

  
pictured left: Alderman - David Brewer makes a point to Peter Thorogood and the Master.
pictured top right: The Master and Alderman - David Brewer enjoy a good joke!

Peter Thorogood, an "Innkeeper of Repute," in replying on behalf of the guests, had us hooting with laughter with his very amusing stories and observations of life in general and especially in Suffolk. By late afternoon we all rose from the table well and truly lunched! It was a very happy and joyful occasion. If you want to attend next year, you had better book early, as I understand that over 50% of attendees this year have rebooked already.

The Society of Apothecaries, Court Dinner,
Apothecaries Hall Blackfriars Lane, 15th December 2004

I, accompanied by the Clerk, John Maddock, was invited by the Master, The Society of Apothecaries, Mr W S Shand, MA, FRCS, FRCSEd, to dine at Apothecaries Hall on the 15th December.

The Apothecaries were originally part of the Grocers, however, King James 1st , whose painting hangs in the Apothecaries Hall, awarded them their charter in 1617 and considered that apothecaries were nothing to do with grocers, and that they should be a Society. They have been a craft guild from foundation, all the original members being engaged in the art and mystery.
The Hall is situated in Blackfriars Lane, EC4, on a little cobbled street, and was rebuilt after the Great Fire of London between 1668 and 1670; it was slightly damaged in 1940 and has been wonderfully restored.

There were 46 of us for dinner, the dress code being business suit, which made a pleasant change. I was in very good company; on my right was a Past Master of the Society, Dr F B Gibberd, who had just come back from an archaeological trip to Albania. On my left was Mr A J B Missen, Court Assistant, whilst opposite me was Sir John Chalstry, KB, MA, MD, BChir, DSc., not only was he a Past master of the Society but was the Lord Mayor of London in 1995.

Like all these occasions, I was quizzed on the Company of Security Professionals, what we stood for and so forth; equally I was eager to learn about the history of the Society of Apothecaries and about their magnificent Hall. The Dinner was excellent, as was the company. The Master gave a very witty and topical speech which went down well. The dinner, I might add, was traditional Christmas fare with an excellent Christmas pudding which had silver "thruppenny" coins embedded in it. The Master did warn us to all eat carefully. After dinner we all repaired to one of the many main rooms in the Hall for a stirrup cup and more convivial conversation cementing the fellowship that is the cornerstone of being a member of a Livery Company.

Carol Service The Priory Church of St Bartholomew the Great
Tuesday 21st December 2004

The carol service this year was truly memorable. The church was candle lit and was at its truly best for this holy occasion, a Service of Nine Lessons and Carols to celebrate the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ. The church was full, the carols truly seasonal, the singing by the choir was magnificent. I read the second lesson, which, I must say I thoroughly enjoyed. I sat in the choir stalls along with the other Masters and Sir Geoffrey Dear representing the Knights Batchelor, in his striking red cloak.

Whist listening to the choir and to the nine lessons and carols I could not help but muse on the history of this church built in the 12th century and wonder at the rich history of the City of London that had passed by its portals over the centuries.

If you are able to come to this carol service next year, do come, the Company has seating reserved for our members, so no one should feel left out or neglected, and it is a most uplifting service to start the Christmas holidays.