COURT 'TEXTILES' DINNER: 20 APRIL

In recent times a Court Dinner has been re-established for April and is the one where the Master can choose the theme.  This year I thought it would be of interest to  celebrate the Company's links with the textile world and invite a broad range of guests with from the fashion, manufacturing, academic and trade groups associated with the industry

Additionally when I met HRH Prince of Wales at his reception for the Welsh Guards Afghanistan Appeal (see post of 8 November) we briefly discussed his Campaign for Wool.  In subsequent discussion he said that, although he could not attend the dinner, he would send a message of support.  We were thus delighted that we could publicly associate ourselves with this initiative and that Mr John Thorley OBE the Chairman could attend.  More details of the Campaign are at www.campaignforwool.org/index

It was also an opportunity for the four Drapers who work in the textiles industry to be involved.  These are Freeman Barry Laden MBE who runs the Laden Showroom see www.laden.co.uk   Liverymen Jane Mather who is following in the footsteps of her father, Liveryman Oliver Makower, in running Makower UK, a textile design and sales business,  see www.makoweruk.com  Liveryman Polly Meynell who is a noted textile designer see www.pollymeynell.com and Liveryman Nicky Santomauro who as managing director of Lavenham is reviving the fortunes of this top of the range quilted jacket maker, see www.lavenham.co.uk

We had a broad guest list including fashion designers and couturiers, UK based manufacturers, academics and members of various trade bodies including including both Texprint and the Educational Development Trust that we support in their promotion of young talent.

Overall it was a stimulating evening and a good opportunity to recognise our roots as a Company that derives its status and wealth from what at one time was England's greatest industry and where is still so much to celebrate.

WOOLMEN ALMS COURT DINNER 12 JANUARY

Coat of arms of the Woolmen.

Alastair Ross and myself were invited to the Woolmen's Alms Court dinner on Wednesday.  It was held at Cutlers' Hall, an attractive building near St Pauls with a wonderful display of memorabilia from the cutlery industry.  Go to www.cutlerslondon.co.uk/ to find out more.

But to return to Drapers and Woolmen.  In traditional trade terms we have a considerable overlap with the Woolmen although the Draper focus was more directed towards the retail part of the industry.  For more information go to http://www.woolmen.com/

Simon Bailey, the current Master, and the rest of the Company made us both welcome.  Usefully we had the opportunity to discuss the Wool Project that was launched Prince of Wales a year ago.  This aims to publicise the excellence of the British wool industry at a time of intense international competition.  For more information go to http://www.britishwool.org.uk/ and look for the clickdown Campaign for Wool to find out what is going on.  Also I cannot resist asking you to look at the Woolipedia site www.woolipedia.com/

We are at present planning a dinner in April to amongst other clothing industry issues to publicise the work of the Wool Project and we look forward to working with members of the Woolmen court and livery who are already playing a part in this.

HRH PRINCE OF WALES' RECEPTION FOR WELSH GUARDS AFGHANISTAN APPEAL 3 NOVEMBER

Their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall held a reception at Clarence House on Wednesday to thank all those who had helped get the Welsh Guards Afghanistan Appeal so successfuly started. Despite it being yet another London Underground RMT strike day this did not seem to have prevented anyone invited from attending.  Military initiative had clearly been well exercised in creating successful alternative travel plans.

The Company has, as I reported in an earlier blog (15 August), a most fruitful link with the Welsh Guards and was delighted to contribute Drapers' Company charitable funds to the Appeal and also make the Hall available for a major fund raising dinner earlier this year.

Also in recent years members of the Company have gone on some very challenging exercises with the Regiment in such places as Belize.  Liveryman Caroline Curtis-Dolby has really enjoyed the rigours of the jungle and much impressed the Regiment.  So much so that she has managed to juggle running her jewellery design business (see http://www.ccdjewellery.com/ ) with being a member of the Appeal Committee.

At the close of the evening Prince Charles gathered us alll together in the hall of Clarence House and was most complimentary in his praise of the way in which everyone had played a part in getting this major initiative off the ground not only in London but equally in Wales. 

If you want to know more about the Appeal go to www.welshguardsappeal.com/