Master’s Diary of Events January 2007

Well my year in office is now half way through and I must say that so far I have enjoyed it immensely. It has been busy, often demanding, but I have met some splendid people and attended some great events on your behalf.

COMMON HALL
The last time that I reported was actually on the day of Common Hall back in November. We had a change of venue and format and I must say that it worked extremely well. Feedback suggestions that everyone thought it was an excellent evening and we had struck the right balance. We tried to involve all the Committee chairmen and make a real effort to inform and embrace all the new Freemen. In addition, we invited along all the finalist for the Sheriffs’ Award with their families to receive their certificates.

Thank you to Don Randal at JP Morgan for allowing us to use his building and feeding us. Also to Ray Higgs who so kindly sponsored the evening.

ST BARTHOLOMEWS
Some of us were at St Bart’s in a fairly short space of time before Christmas. We attended the Founders’ Day Service followed by a dinner in Founders’ Hall which was absolutely excellent and to be recommended if we get an invitation this year.

Of course in 19th December we were back there for the Carol Service which as always set off the festive season to a good start. The choir there really is second to none. The service was attended by 48 members from the Company followed once again by supper at ‘Just the Bridge’ down on the river next to the Millennium Bridge. This was a great turn out and I am certain that everyone thought it was a first class evening. A big thanks to Mike Welply for arranging the evening for us.

MANSION HOUSE
Following the installation of the new Lord Mayor it has been a privilege again to go to the Mansion House. On the first occasion it was for the Lord Mayors 800th Anniversary Awards. Youngsters who had gone and worked overseas for a year had prepared reports on their activities and awards were presented to winning projects.

In a much more inform atmosphere I took one of my granddaughters along to the Lord Mayors Children’s’ Fancy Dress Party. We both had a great time! There were something like 350 children there and they were entertained and fed marvellously.

WATERMENS’ HALL
As usual our Christmas lunch was a great success. Some described it as the best Christmas lunch they had attended – and I think they are right. Steve Neville has organised it for the last 6 years and has now stepped down for Nigel Churton to take over. Thank you Steve for all you have done to make this event one that everyone puts into their diaries as early as January.

On the evening of the lunch some of us braved the prospect of another meal. We attended the Grand Christmas Ball on board HM Ships Belfast and Severn in aid of The Royal National Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen. The evening went on until 4am which was a little too much for those of us who are normally tucked up in bed with our Horlicks by 10pm!

CONSEC 2006
I was invited to represent you at this one day conference run by the Association of Security Consultants. Normally I do not like such events and get very little from them. I must say however, that this was different and I thought it an outstanding day with some excellent presenters.

EDUCATION
I was delighted to represent the Company at two very different Educational Award Ceremonies. The first was at the Barbican where the University of East London held their Graduation Ceremony.

Hundreds of students finely decked out in their gowns received their degrees from the Chancellor Lord Rix and I presented a trophy to the winner of the Company of Security Professionals Award.
In a world far apart, I also went to the Awards evening for the kids at Bexley Business Academy. These Awards were presented by the Film Producer Lord Puttnam. The children and staff were so enthusiastic but sadly there were few parents interested enough to come along and see for themselves how well their offspring had done. I presented our Award to a student for Outstanding Achievement.

GALA DINNER
As a result of our support for the Aids project in Thailand I was invited to the Gala Dinner of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations at the Landmark Hotel. This is an excellent link that we have formed and we should continue to encourage it.

THE NEW YEAR
Things are beginning to get back to normal after what seems to be an endless Christmas holiday for everyone. To clear the cobwebs Paul Holmes organised another Jack The Ripper Walk around the East End followed by a beer and good curry. Thank you Paul.

Now we will need to seriously concentrate on preparing our application for Livery this year. We have a committee in place to do that work and I am certain that we will be ready in good time.

There are many events and functions coming up and I would appreciate your help and support of the organisers and of the various Standing Committees please.

John Purnell
Master