ALMSHOUSE VISITATIONS: 28 APRIL

On Thursday the Wardens carried out their annual visit to Walter's Close, Southwark in the morning  and Edmanson's Close, Tottenham in the afternoon.  The other almshouse visitation to Queen Elizabeth College had take place a week earlier (See post of 9 April).

Traditionally the visitations were the formal inspection of the almshouses but these days the Wardens receive quarterly reports as to what is going on and there is also a regular communication between the current almshouse managers. Hanover Housing, and the Company.  As a consequence the visitations are now essentially social and ceremonial events.

The visit to Walter's Close is always the least informal of the three and takes the form of a a discussion with residents over coffee, tea and cakes around eleven o'clock.  We were accompanied by Herry Lawford, who actually leads the FODAH team at Edmanson's Close - and came along on the afternoon visit as well - and Liveryman Rupert Phelps who is one of the FODAH visitors at Walter's Close.

Fola Adedosu, who runs Walter's, made us welcome and it was good to meet up with a good cross section of residents, both of long standing and new arrivals.  Inevitably much of the conversation was about the Royal Wedding next day.

Just before the service at Edmanson's Close.  Left to right: John Freestone, Beadle, William Charnley, Junior Warden, Anthony Walker, Master Warden, self, Christian Williams, Renter Warden and Alastair Ross, Clerk.  Photograph with acknowledgements to Herry Lawford.

In the afternoon we went from the Hall to Bruce Grove.  Changing in to our robes we attended a service conducted by the newly arrived Father Tony Haynes.  I gave a short address describing how the three almshouse charities created by Edmanson, Pemel and Jolles had been united nearly 150 years ago and with a further endowment had moved on to the Bruce Grove site, largely because the expansion of the railway network in London led to a lot of compulsory purchasing of land in the inner city and a better site had become available in an area which at that time was right on the fringe of London.  The success of the Edmanson's Close had been the collective work of many but a most important part had been the contribution of residents past and present to create a unique and thriving community.

Afterwards Lesley Flynn who runs Edmanson's Close and her helpers, including Mvia Wedderburn, had laid on a delicious tea.  Again discussion turned to the Royal Wedding

Throughout the sun shone brightly and Lynda Lampshire at the Hall, who acts as the secretary to FODAH, organised the day very well.

TWO DRAPERS APPOINTED KNIGHTS OF THE GARTER

The star of the Order of the Garter

I am delighted to report that the two appointments to be Knights of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, always traditionally announced on St George's Day, are both liverymen of the Company.

Lord Phillips in the new Supreme Court robes.  I note in this picture he is wearing his Drapers' livery tie. 

Lord Phillips of Worth Matravers is President of the Supreme Court.  Lord Boyce, a former Chief of Defence Staff and First Sea Lord,  holds a number of distinguished appointments including Warden of the Cinque Ports.  Lord Boyce will be joining the Court as Second Master Warden for the next Company year.

Admiral Lord Boyce

There are twenty four members of the order in addition to the Sovereign and Prince of Wales.  There are also members of foreign royal familie who are supernumeray memberss.  Both the Sovereign and Prince of Wales are Royal Freemen of the Company as is a supernumerary member of the order King Harald V of Norway.

Lord Bingham in his Garter robes

The only record we have of any other Draper, other than a member of the royal family, who was a Knight of the Garter is Lord Bingham of Cornhill (1933-2010) a former Lord Chief Justice.

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.

MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR PAST MASTER TREVOR ELDRID 20 APRIL

Past Master Trevor Eldrid (1916-2011) in 1977, the year he was Master

By tradition and if the family wish the Company hold a memorial service for past masters at St Michael's, Cornhill.  On the morning of 20 April a service was conducted by Past Master Rev Peter Taylor in memory of Trevor Eldrid (see post in January).

There was a good turn out and Rev Peter Taylor conducted the service with considerable affection and full recognition of Trevor's great contribution to the Company.  Past Master Sir Nicholas Jackson played the newly restored organ built by Renatus Harris in 1684 and substantially modified since 1790.  He was one of the patrons of the Appeal Committee and with others ensured this important organ has been restored to its former glory.

A lunch was subsequently held for those who attended, including Trevor's wife Pam, at the Hall afterwards.

CONSTRUCTORS' ROYAL CHARTER BANQUET: 14 APRIL

Coat of arms of the Constructors' Company

Thursday evening it was off to Merchant Taylors' Hall to be a guest at the Constructors' Royal Charter Banquet.  Receiving a first Royal Charter is a very important rite of passage for a livery company.  It is only authorised by the Privy Council after exhaustive enquiries and can take some years to negotiate.  Once authorised it acts as the constitution of the Company and, unless amended by the Privy Council, provides the  framework for its subsequent existence and operation.

The Royal Charter had been received a year earlier.  However it is custom and practice that the charter is handed over by a member of the royal family.  This was the purpose of the evening and HRH Duke of Gloucester officiated.

The Duke was the ideal choice for the Constructors.  It is a Company that covers all aspects of the building world - for more details go to www.constructorscompany.co.uk  The Duke is a qualified architect and has a considerable interest in what is now called the built environment.

The Royal Charter was formally handed over at the beginning of dinner.  The conclusion of the dinner witnessed four excellent speeches. 

Court Assistant Victoria Russell managed to welcome all the guests, over thirty of them, in a most entertaining way.  This I can say from both observation and personal experience takes some doing.  She challenged me about my blog and wondered what would be post.  Victoria, now you know!

Piers Gough CBE, the noted architect, gave a lyrical evocation of architecture and its impact on both individuals and society.  Alderman Sir David Howard Bt responded on behalf of the City and finally Master Patricia Newton brought the proceedings to an excellent close.

Only the week before Patricia Newton had been admitted to the Drapers' Company by redemption so it was good to see one of the newest Drapers so much at the centre of affairs of another Company.

It was a memorable evening.

UPHOLDERS' ANNUAL INSTALLATION BANQUET: 13 APRIL

Coat of Arms of the Upholders' Company

On Wednesday the Upholders held their Installation Court and Banquet at the Hall.  The Hall, I believe, is a frequent choice by the Upholders for this key event in their Company year. This year they were kind enough to invite both myself and Alastair Ross, the Clerk, to be guests at the banquet..

Upholder is an archaic term for upholsterer and the Company has for centuries been closely involved with the furnishing trade.  Initially of course maintaining the guild monopoly in London and later more generally supporting the trade both inside and outside the City.  For more details go to http://www.upholder.co.uk/  

Additionally the Upholders are part of the informal Liveries Wood Group that carries out joint projects with the Carpenters, Furniture Makers, Joiners and Ceilers and Turners.  For more details go to http://www.branching-out.co.uk/

It was most stimulating talking to members of the Company in the Hall.  Many of them are eminent and leading personalities in the furnishing industry.  Their reaction to the furnishings and decoration of the Hall was very interesting and most informative.  It was also flattering to be told on a number of occasions how well the Hall was maintained.

The newly elected Master, James Kelly, and the Wardens made us most welcome and we had a most enjoyable dinner.  As I entered the Livery Hall I found a copy of Featherbedds and Flock Bedds, the Early History of the Worshipful Company of Upholders of the City of London by JF Houston at my place.  I have only had time to glance at it but it is clearly a well written and informative history, featherbedding takes on a sterner meaning.. 

One of those evenings where I was well looked after and learnt a little more about the furnishings of the Hall.  But equally importantly I was yet again as Master to hear the considerable admiration for the excellent service our Beadle, John Freestone, Head Chef, Gerald Quadros and the rest of the Hall catering team provide.  On this particular night Jon Perkins, the Butler, led the event.

ALMSHOUSE RESIDENTS' TEA PARTY: 11 APRIL

One certain indication that spring has arrived is the tea party that is put on at the Hall for the almshouse residents and staff.  It takes place in the Livery Hall which is laid out in tables of twelve.  The Master and Wardens act as hosts and other members of the Company attend including members of the Friends of Drapers' Almshouses (FODAH) team. 

There is the ever popular piano playing by Philip Godfrey who plays medleys of tunes and any requests.  For more details about Philip go to www.philipgodfrey.co.uk/   I regret that we have yet to hear any selections from his recent musical Casanova.

We had a good turn-out but it probably had a smidgen less glamour than last year when Royal Freeman HRH Duchess of Gloucester attended and really charmed the alshouse residents. 

It was a glorious sunny day and the Philip's rendition of popular tunes from the forties and fifties added a distinct touch of jollity as the cream teas were served.