Master’s Update

It’s all very well having a Master, but what does he actually do for the Company?

Well, since the beginning of March I have attended 22 events and meetings including 10 Livery Dinners and Luncheons. Although thoroughly enjoyable these mainly social events demonstrate that our Company is alive and active. (It has been comforting to learn that other Companies are facing similar challenges to those we face as Founders).

It was a particular pleasure to visit Hereford College of Art last Friday to present the Founders’ Prize to the winner (pictured below) of the British Art Medals Society annual competition, the 25th year that we have provided this prize. Past winners’ medals can be seen exhibited in the Parlour.

It was an honour to find that the Founders’ Company had been selected this year to process, fully robed, with the Masters of the Great XII along the nave of St Paul’s Cathedral at the beginning of the United Guilds Service. A service 10 days earlier at the Cathedral for The Pikemen and Musketeers’ 100th anniversary gave further opportunity to appreciate this outstanding building.

A fact finding visit with Assistant Clerk Eloise to the City of London School as well as a visit with Under Warden Tom Westley to interview students at Imperial College applying for Founders’ Bursaries proved to be both educational and uplifting.

With my guests I enjoyed the first Bistro 1365 luncheon. Superb and excellent value. If you haven’t tried it you should.

Kathryn and I somehow managed to squeeze in a short break to Salzburg as a reconnaissance for the upcoming Spring Tour.

This evening we shall be attending Wax Chandlers Hall for a lecture and tomorrow I am to be at Guildhall for the Lord Mayor’s Big Curry Lunch.