SEPTEMBER 2004

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

City of London School for Girls,
Commemorative Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral
Monday 13th September 2004.

Dr Yvonne Bourne, the Headmistress of the City of London Girls School invited me to attend a Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral on Monday 13th September 2004 at 2.30pm. In recognition of the founding of the school 110 years ago by William Ward.

It was a cool showery day. As we approached the North West Door of the Cathedral we were joined by masses of parents, former pupils, their spouses and families as well as a whole host of Masters and Wardens from the numerous City Livery Companies who all support this excellent school, including our Company. We were escorted to our seats under the Dome. The service was conducted by the Dean of St Paul’s in the presence of the Lord Mayor Locum Tenens, Sir Michael Oliver.

The service was beautiful, especially the singing by the choir of the City of London school for Girls directed by Maggie Donnelly, the schools Director of Music. The sermon was preached by The Very Reverend June Osborne, Dean of Salisbury.

At the conclusion of the service we were all invited to afternoon tea at the school.

Company of Security Professionals, Clay Pigeon Shooting Day
Thursday 16th September 2004.

The autumn half of the Company’s Clay shooting programme dawned bright and sunny. Blue skies and fluffy white clouds with brilliant sunshine was the order of the day.

The shooters rendezvoused at the White Hart Public house in the village of Hackleton, just a short drive to the shooting grounds, for coffee/tea and breakfast. Paul Holmes, (Assistant), and Bill Muskin the two organisers of the shoot were on hand to greet us and make everyone welcome.

At the shooting ground the resident clay shooting club members soon got the teams sorted out and under the expert guidance of these seasoned shooters we took up our allotted positions at the various shooting stands. There were six stands in all, ranging from “springing teal” to “running rabbit” with numerous variations in between. It was hugely enjoyable. There were experienced shots to complete novices, all shooting and having a whale of a time. The Master and Senior Warden blasted away at these elusive clay pigeons; “if it flies it dies” said the Master! Many lived!

By lunchtime all was ended, the teams repaired to the White Hart for a well earned rest and refreshment. The staff, under Bill Muskin’s eagle eye put on an excellent buffet which was followed by the raffle and the prize giving. Everyone agreed that the day was excellent and thoroughly enjoyable. Some people, introduced to clay pigeon shooting for the first time, were hooked.

The Master had to leave before the prize giving due to a commitment in London later that evening. The Senior Warden did the honours. My thanks to Paul Holmes for putting that together and for raising a considerable sum of money for the Charitable Trust Fund; and to Bill Muskin for all the arrangement on the day. Thank you gentlemen very much indeed!

The Worshipful Company of Distillers Livery & Ladies Banquet, The Mansion House
Thursday 16th September 2004.

The Master, The Worshipful Company of Distillers, Mr Nigel Churton, MBE, kindly invited Sue and me, to a splendid dinner at The Mansion House on Thursday 16th September.

pictured from left to right: Mrs Sue Welply. The master, Distillers Company, Mr Nigel Churton MBE. Mrs Kate Churton. Michael Welply, The Master Company of Security Professionals

Suitably attired in white tie and tails with medals and insignia your Master sallied forth to this event with eager anticipation. This would be the first time that this Master and Mrs Welply have set foot in the home of The Lord Mayor of London.

As it turned out, our expectations were exceeded. The official residence of the Lord Mayor is magnificent. No other official residence anywhere in the world is like the Mansion House. It is, at once, an official residence and a home, a court of justice and a prison. It serves the Lord Mayor in his or her judicial and official capacities. It is the focal point for all that pertains to the personality and office of the head of the oldest municipality in the world.

Many sufferers from disaster think of the Mansion House with gratitude. It is the source of great national appeals of a benevolent or charitable character, inaugurated by the Lord Mayor.

We arrived at the front door and were presented to the Master, Distillers Company and his Lady. Sue and I were quickly given each a glass of Tattinger Brut reserve, which was delicious. Soon we were in conversation with Alderman David and Tessa Brewer, Mr John Avery, the Master of The Vintners Company and his wife. We all admired the wonderful collection of paintings that decorate the walls of the reception rooms.

Summoned to dinner we found our selves seated amongst most agreeable company. The food was accompanied by some truly excellent wines, such as the Macon Fuisse 2003, Vieilles Vignes Christophe Cordier; also the Chateau Pierrail Blanc 2003, Sainte-Foy Bordeaux J et A Demonchaux and the Chateau Beau Site 1995 St Estephe were particularly memorable. The pudding course was accompanied by a very pleasing Chateau Filhot 1997, Sauternes Cru Classe.

The Master with the Master Vintners Company, Mr John Avery. The Past Master Distillers Company,
Mr Macdonald-Buchanan and their Ladies.

The dinner was rounded of with the ceremony of the Loving Cup, but with a slight difference The Distillers’ Company, it is believed to be the only Livery Company to circulate daggers with the loving cup. The dagger held by the protector to the drinker, as the reader can imagine, this caused much amusement to the ladies, each grasping the dagger in a most un ladylike way!

The speakers were Mr David Sills (Assistant) Mr Alderman David Brewer CMG and the Master, The Worshipful Company of Distillers.

Too soon the evening ended and my wife took I our leave, thanking the Master, Nigel Churton for a wonderful evening and headed home. It was a splendid night, one to cherish.

Breakfast, Ironmongers Hall - Wednesday 29th September 2004

Your Master and the Clerk were guests at Ironmongers Hall for breakfast on Wednesday 29th September. We joined numerous other Masters, Clerks and Liverymen at a splendid breakfast. We assembled at 8.00am at Ironmongers Hall to be greeted with a glass of champagne. After exchanging many pleasantries with many of the Masters and Clerks present we helped our selves to what can only be described as the great English breakfast which included oysters! Your Master, tucked in manfully! The occasion was the assembly of Masters, Wardens, Aldermen and Liverymen of the City Livery prior to the election of the new Lord Mayor of London later that day at Common Hall in the Great Hall at Guildhall. All, having indulged in a hearty breakfast, then made their way to the Guildhall, suitably clothed in their livery robes to attend to matters at hand, as stated above. Your Master, not being a Liveryman, was not entitled to attend.

Reception to Celebrate the Grant of Livery to the Worshipful Company of Management Consultants, held at Carpenters Hall at 7.00pm.
Thursday 30th September 2004.

I accompanied by our Clerk, John Maddock attended the reception of the granting of Livery to the Worshipful Company of Management Consultants. It was held in the magnificent premises of Carpenters Hall.

As it can be imagined it was a very happy and joyful occasion, speeches were made, people thanked and applauded. The Sea Cadets were on parade, as the Management Consultants have a close association with that organisation. During the evening I was approached by the Master of a very new Guild who asked for our advice as to how to proceed to Company status. The Clerk and I felt that we had arrived!