71. 21st September 2020

On awakening, the thoughts crowded in on me – today was the day of the Installation Court, and my handing over the baton of Mastership to Rob Casey!

An early morning of reflection - on the memorable City events that Judy and I attended during the eight months of my “year“ before lockdown; on the hugely enjoyable Company events that I and my Master’s Committee organised and undertook during those same eight months; and on the opportunities that sadly did not come to pass due to the pandemic.  I also reflected on the manner in which the Company has risen to the challenge of these greatly changed circumstances through greater contact with its members by way of a Monthly Update, through events such as our Spring Water Photography Competition, and through the ongoing series of monthly webinars.

My term didn’t go according to plan – for obvious reasons; but there have been so many positives during the past fourteen months.

Having presided over a final Court Meeting as Master, it was time for the Installation Ceremony of the Company’s 32^nd Master, and so I bring down the curtain on this my Master’s Blog, by wishing our new Master, Rob Casey, every success and good fortune throughout his Mastership.

70. 9th September 2020

This evening, I chaired the fourth in the Company’s ongoing series of monthly webinars.

Steve Kaye, the CEO of UK Water Industry Research, presented a fascinating webinar entitled “Innovation in the New World“. Those participating in the webinar were privileged to hear a most interesting presentation on how the UK water industry is coming together to foster greater collaboration into key research issues , such as the “ Twelve Big Questions “ that have been developed by UKWIR , and how an innovation strategy is being developed to meet the challenges and opportunities of the UK water sector .

This was the last webinar to be chaired by me during my term as Master. I am pleased to say that the series has really taken root and I am looking forward to participating in those being planned for the autumn, the next one being on the 7^th October!

69. 5th August 2020

This evening, I chaired The Water Conservators’ 3^rd Monthly Webinar in our ongoing series.

Entitled “Victorian London’s Health Crisis – The Cholera Epidemics and Their Resolution“, we were treated to a fascinating presentation by Master Elect Rob Casey of the various cholera epidemics in London in the nineteenth century, and how eventually they were controlled by the various initiatives undertaken by Edwin Chadwick, Dr John Snow and Bazalgette, to name but three of the enlightened individuals of the Victorian era who rose to the challenge.

Rob Casey illustrated his presentation with some wonderful slides, including a number of amusing contemporary cartoons.

The talk was followed by a wide ranging and lively Q and A session from the 81 participants in the Webinar.

68. 28th July 2020

Early this evening , I was invited to attend the Lord Mayor’s “ Address to the Judiciary “, which took place virtually at Mansion House. This was the substitute event for the Lord Mayor’s Annual Dinner to Her Majesty’s Judges, which was, understandably, unable to take place this year .

A very interesting address was delivered by the Lord Mayor, with replies from The Rt Hon the Lord Burnett of Maldon, the Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales, and by The Rt Hon Robert Buckland QC MP, The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice.

One of the points of note that came out of the event is that an 18 Court state of the art facility is to be developed just off Fleet Street over the next few years .

67. 22nd July 2020

This evening Judy and I attended “ virtually “ of course the Annual Banquet of the Worshipful Company of Chartered Accountants at the Mansion House as guests of the Chartered Accountants! It was a splendid affair, with many of those attending wearing white tie or evening dress.

The evening started at 6.45 and concluded with a Stirrup Cup in breakout rooms to which were pre- allocated at around 8.15pm.

Whilst the meal itself was of course virtual, we enjoyed some excellent and entertaining speeches including that delivered by the Lord Mayor as Principal Guest, and the response by Hilary Lindsay, Master of the Chartered Accountants.

A most enjoyable evening.

66. 8th July 2020

Tonight saw the Water Conservators host their second monthly webinar in the ongoing series.

Dr Ben Ward , Drinking Water Asset Manager  at South West Water delivered a highly interesting presentation on “ Dipping into the Internet of Things – South West Water’s no regret approach into the IoT World “. His presentation was most enthusiastically received and greatly appreciated by an audience drawn from the members of the Water Conservators Company, other Livery Companies, and the water industry . 

The 30 minute presentation was followed by a lively and focussed Question and Answer session which flew by.

All too soon it was time to bring the hour long webinar to a close.

I look forward to chairing the August webinar on the 5^th August at 5.30pm which will feature Master Elect Rob Casey speaking on “ Victorian London’s Health Crisis - The Cholera Epidemics and Their Resolution .” 

webinar details

65. 22nd June 2020

It was a pleasure to join a virtual meeting this afternoon with The Lord Mayor for an interesting and wide ranging discussion around various matters of current relevance to the Livery movement.  A number of Masters and Clerks, including myself and our Learned Clerk, participated in what was a most useful hour long meeting.

64. 1st June 2020

A new month and new activities!

Last night the Company Photographic Competition “ Spring Water “ that I launched a few weeks ago closed , and I am informed by the Chair of the Judging Panel that a healthy number of photographs have been entered, which is very good news!

I am informed that the overall quality of the photographs submitted is high – which is excellent, and we await the results of the Panel’s deliberations. The winning photos from all three age categories of entrants will be published in the forthcoming Summer Edition of The Conservator.

No sooner had this Competition closed than it was the occasion of the publicity launch of our inaugural Webinar –“ The Covid Complex- Water Wastewater and the Pandemic “. This will take place at 5.30 pm in Wednesday the 10^th June. The speaker is Court Assistant David Lloyd Owen , a world renowned financial analyst in the water sector . A copy of the flyer is displayed along with this blog, and you, Dear Reader, are warmly invited to join this Webinar on the 10^th June. More Webinars will follow over the coming months. Stay well and safe!

Webinar details

63. ARE YOU OK?

I hope you and your families have continued to stay well during the Covid-19 Pandemic, which thankfully now appears to be waning.

Together with my Master's Committee, I have tried to ensure that we have maintained contact with our most vulnerable Members at this difficult time. If you are aware of any Members who we have missed, please let me know and I will ensure that we speak with them. Thank you.

I very much hope that we will all be able to meet up later in the year. Stay safe.

62. 13th April 2020

As with all households this Easter , it has been a unique and very different Easter Festival. 

Something that we enjoy doing most Easters is egg painting , and here you can see the results of my efforts this year . I wonder whether other Livery Companies have similar painted eggs to celebrate Easter?

61. Easter

As we approach Easter in unique circumstances, Judy and I wanted to take the opportunity to wish you and your families a peaceful and safe time. For many of us this will be particularly strange as we are unable to share Easter celebrations with family and friends, but as the Queen told us over the weekend “we will meet again”.  We look forward to that.

60. 29th March 2020 MESSAGE FROM THE MASTER

Dear Colleague,

We are living through unique and challenging times. It is clearly disappointing that our Company and the wider Livery movement have had to cancel so many events in our calendar extending well into the summer, but the health of our Members and guests has been, and continues to be, our first priority.

Livery Companies have a long and distinguished history - the Woolmen for example, can trace their roots back to the year 1180. Whilst the Water Conservators have a shorter history, our relevance to key environmental issues facing the world is paramount. These issues are not going away in the current crisis and when we return to some sort of normality, our work in providing environmental leadership will continue unabated.

In the meantime, Judy and I wish you and your families continuing good health and I look forward to us all meeting up later in the year.

Keep washing those hands and stay safe.

With best wishes

Mark

59. 16th March 2020

COVID 19

Many of you will have observed from our website that during the current COVID 19 crisis, several of our forthcoming events have either been postponed or cancelled. Whilst this is very disappointing, the health and well-being of our Members and their guests is our first priority. 

I very much hope that we will be able to reinstate much of our programme of events in the coming weeks and months, but in the meantime we will endeavour to keep you all updated via our website.

In the meantime, stay safe and keep washing those hands!

58. 9th March 2020

To Vintners’ Hall this evening for the Modern Livery Companies Dinner, kindly organised and hosted by the International Bankers. Vintners offered a warm welcome from the chill, blustery rain (yet again!) outside. It was good to see so many of the Modern Companies‘ Masters there, and we all enjoyed an excellent evening, albeit with less handshaking than has been customary up to now!

57. 5th March 2020

This evening I had the pleasure of re-visiting Painters’ Hall – the first time that I had been back there for a Dinner since our own Banquet in November 2019. So there were plenty of memories as I took my seat in the Dining Hall as a Guest of the Worshipful Company of Hackney Carriage Drivers at their Spring Court Dinner.

I arrived at Painters’ Hall on a bitterly cold, wet and windy evening – winter seemed to have returned with a vengeance! But my spirits were soon rising as we enjoyed a convivial Reception before dinner. This was followed an excellent menu, wines and two very well composed and amusing speeches from the Guest Speakers for the evening. The company in my immediate vicinity at table was on good form, and it seemed that the evening passed in a trice!

And as an added bonus, when I left Painters’ Hall, the day long rain had actually ceased!

56. 4th March 2020

Today, I had the pleasure of being a Guest of The Master Mariners at their Court Lunch onboard HQS Wellington. With many Masters and Clerks in attendance, it was an excellent opportunity to catch up with some good friends, as well as meeting some new ones.

55. 3rd March 2020

This evening I attended the Chartered Accountants’ Hall for the Chartered Accountants True and Fair Lecture , which this year was given by Paul Johnson , Director of The Institute of Fiscal Studies.

Paul Johnson delivered a most interesting Lecture focusing on five macro trends in the economy. On the subject of Wages , Growth and Productivity, he pointed out that productivity and wages have been flat-lining since 2008.

The second trend was In-Work Poverty. Here Paul Johnson pointed out that in 1997/8, 41% of those working were in In Work Poverty, whereas in 2017/18 the figure was 58%.

On home ownership, homes were owned by 55% of 25 to 34 year olds in 1997. Whereas in 2017, the figures of home ownership for 25 to 34 year olds was 35%.

His fourth point was Lack of Fiscal Headroom . in this connection, he pointed out that Health Pensioner benefits and long term care costs will continue to rise.  Taking a view to 2066/67, other spending by Government will need to decrease from approximately two thirds of total government spending to nearer one third in order to accommodate the increase in long term care costs unless taxation rises.

The fifth point that Paul Johnson made is that the Net Zero Greenhouse Gas Target for 2050 will be enormously challenging.

It was a thought provoking lecture!

54. 28th February 2020

Today Judy and I drove to Treloars College to accompany, along with many other Masters and their Consorts, the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress on their annual visit to Treloars College.

And what a humbling and uplifting day it was.

Humbling because, in truth, it was a reminder to us all of our own good fortune in life ; uplifting because the caring love and professionalism of the 800 staff at Treloars who nurture and develop the 170 severely disabled children who attend the College was inspirational to witness.

We visited a class for Primary age children, and a Residential House for Secondary School age children.  It was very interesting to have an opportunity to talk over lunch to members of the  teaching staff about their work at the College.

This was followed in the afternoon by a performance by some of the children of an abridged version of A Midsummer Night’s Dream in the theatre. We were hugely impressed by the achievement of the pupils in the production.

I am very pleased that, as Water Conservators, we support such a worthwhile charity

53. 27th February 2020

This evening Judy and I attended the World Traders’ Tacitus Lecture at The Guildhall. This is the Company’s main annual contribution to the subject of education in World Trade.

The Speaker for the 2020 Tacitus Lecture was Mr Kitack Lim, Secretary General of The International Maritime Oragainsation ( IMO ).

The Lecture took place in The Great Hall and was an interesting review of the development of Sustainable Shipping for a Sustainable Planet . Two issues raised of particular note were the rapid development of technologies that will allow for autonomous ships, and also the development of technologies that will attenuate the underwater noise of ships’ engines thereby preventing damage to the mammal populations of the oceans through excessive noise.

The Lecture was followed by a well attended Reception.

52. 25th February 2020

Shrove Tuesday greeted us with a biting wind as Judy and I travelled to the Guildhall Courtyard for the annual Inter- Livery Pancake Race.

The Waters Conservators’ team , running under the nom de plume of “ The Water Ones “ comprised Thames Warden Rob Casey, Liveryman Andrew Williams in the Novelty Dress category , Judy in the Master’s Consort category, and myself in the Masters category.

Well – the team did the Company proud ! Andrew Williams achieved a thoroughly deserved third place in the Novelty Dress Competition with his brilliant Wind Turbine Fancy Dress outfit! And I somehow managed to scrape into the Finals of the Masters’ Race.

The team was ably managed by Deputy Master Simon Catford, and was well supported by Wendy Catford, and Mike and Sandra Williamson.

A huge thank you to everyone who so kindly contributed to a thoroughly enjoyable morning either by racing or by supporting the team!

51. 18th February 2020

This evening Judy and I had the pleasure of going to a Banquet at Mansion House as guests of The Worshipful Company of Chartered Architects on the occasion of that Company being granted its Royal Charter.

It was a splendid affair where the Principal Guest was HRH The Duke of Gloucester. The Principal Civic Guest were The Lord Mayor accompanied by The Lady Mayoress, and the two Sheriffs and their respective wives.

The Egyptian Hall was at its glittering best. The Banquet was accompanied by some lovely music from the Gallery and rounded off by some excellent speeches.

We look forward to the Chartered Architects being installed in their new accommodation at Temple Bar!

50. 13th February 2020

This evening I hosted my Master’s Dinner at The Travellers Club on Pall Mall.

My warm thanks are extended to David Lloyd Owen, a member of The Travellers Club, for making it possible for me to host my Dinner at the Club.

The Travellers Club dates back to the return to peace after the Napoleonic Wars, and moved to its present premises in 1832 – designed by Charles Barry, who later designed The Reform Club next door , and also The Houses of Parliament.

Interestingly, the Club was founded in 1819 “for gentlemen who had travelled out of the British Isles to a distance of at least five hundred miles from London in a direct line.”

The Inner Drawing Room of the Club was an excellent venue for the 27 guests who attended the Dinner. A most convivial evening!

49. 12th February 2020

This evening, Judy and I were graciously entertained as Guests by the Master of The Worshipful Company of Constructors at their Livery and Awards Dinner, held at Drapers’ Hall.

It was a splendid affair in every respect. I was also greatly amused by the reference to my marmalade making in the brief cv narrated by the Proposer of the Toast to The Guests!

Interesting dining companions, excellent food and well chosen wines all set against the backdrop of a majestic Drapers’Hall  made for a truly memorable evening! 

48. 10th February 2020

This evening, Judy and I enjoyed joined a small group of Livery Company Masters and Consorts for a fascinating tour of Apothecaries Hall conducted by the Clerk.

We learned of the rivalries between the Grocers and the Apothecaries which led eventually to the split between the two groups in 1617, and why the Apothecaries are a Society rather than a Company . We learned also of Gideon de Laune, who was largely responsible for the obtaining by the Apothecaries of their separate Charter in 1617 from James I , and whose De Laune pills were still sold to the public until about 1920! When De Laune died, his estate was estimated to be worth about £90,000 – so the pills were clearly a best seller!

As we visited The Great Hall, The Court Room, and the Cellars we were privileged to enjoy a most interesting  and lively commentary on the history of the Apothecaries and their activities today.

47. 7th February 2020

This morning I attended, together with Thames Warden Rob Casey, the Mansion House for the Clean City Awards Ceremony and Luncheon. The Ceremony was presided over by The Lady Mayoress.

As part of the Company’s environmental initiative, The Company sponsors one of the prizes for this Awards Ceremony, namely the “ Plastic Free City Award “. This year the Award Winner was The Bank of England. The Ceremony took place in the Egyptian Hall .The numerous and varied Award presentations and their accompanying citations comprised in the Ceremony testifies to the variety, breadth and depth of the environmental initiatives being undertaken by the City Corporation.

The Ceremony itself was followed by an excellent Lunch with all the Award winners and runners up.

46. 4th February 2020

To St Paul’s for Evensong to celebrate the 350^th Anniversary of the grant to The Worshipful Company of Wheelwrights of its Royal Charter in 1670.

We Livery Company Masters all gowned up in St Dunstan’s Chapel – the usual burst of focused activity interspersed with greetings to by now old friends, and snatches of conversation ! Our procession in took us to seats directly under the Dome. There, I could listen to the soaring harmonies and descants of the Choir rise upwards into the architectural perfection of Wren’s Dome.

After the Service, there was a champagne Reception in the Chapter House – the first time that I had visited that building.

45. 3rd February 2020

This evening to Drapers’ Hall for a superb Lecture by Oxford historian Sir Diarmaid MacCulloch on his seminal biography of Thomas Cromwell.  It was very fitting that the Lecture was held in Drapers’ Hall as the Hall is on the site of Thomas Cromwell’s London palace – indeed the Drapers purchased the site and the palace after the execution of Cromwell in July 1540.  The Lecture was absolutely fascinating – beautifully delivered and entirely without notes . It caste the Cromwell in an entirely different light for me  - his obscure beginnings in Putney; his travels overseas as a young man and the close ties he developed in Italy; and the suddenness of his rise to prominence at the age of 40  when many men of that age were approaching their waning years or indeed dying.  The breadth of his administrative achievement was as staggering, as his character was complex.

A memorable evening!

44. 31st January 2020

At lunchtime today , a small group of members of the Company gathered at Davy’s Wine Bar on Holborn for a delightful and convivial lunch in the Bordeaux Room, before walking to the Sir John Soane Museum in Lincoln’s Inn Fields.

There we were treated to a fascinating introduction to the life and work of Sir John Soane, and what a life it was! Born to a bricklayer, at the age of 14 he became a hod carrier, as his father had died and he had to help support the family . After work he would sketch in the evening at home some of the architectural features of the buildings that he had been working on. His elder brother, also a bricklayer, recognised his talent, and managed to show the drawings to various notables, and  before long his architectural career was launched, which would take him to be  closely associated with the good and the great of his day . His marriage was a real love match too, marrying a girl also of very humble origins . He wanted both his sons to be architects, The younger one, John , did so , but the elder one, George refused to do so. The family strife that ensued led to tragedy …..

There is material for a blockbuster film here!

The Museum itself is full of interest, reflecting an enthusiasm for collecting on the part of Sir John that borders on the obsessive. The Picture Room is a great attraction with its Turner and Hogarth’s Rake’s Progress.

After our visit, we adjourned to a nearby café for tea, and departed into the evening to journey home.

43. 28th January 2020

Winter is here with a vengeance! So I thought as I walked on a very cold, clear evening from Barnsbury Square down to Smithfield and to the newly renovated Butchers’ Hall. The wind was bitterly cold and I regretted the absence of my woollen hat – although it might not have looked too well with the Dinner Jacket that I was wearing!

And so to Butchers’ Hall for a Dinner hosted by the Port Health and Environmental Services Committee. It was an excellent evening and an opportunity to catch up with a number of Officers of the City Corporation, as well as to meet some new ones, over a delicious dinner. The Guest Speaker, Head of Commercial, UK Ports, DP World London Gateway gave a most interesting speech on the financial contribution of ports, particularly London Gateway, to the UK economy.

Plenty to think about as I walked back to Barnsbury Square!

42. 22nd January 2020

This evening I attended a brilliant Associate Freemen Pub Evening, kindly organised by Associate Freeman, Dorry Price.

Dorry had arranged it to take place in a really well appointed upstairs room at The King’s Stores, a historic pub down a wonderful old lane redolent of the eighteenth century, in Spitalfields.

The event started at 6.00 pm ,and by 7.00 pm there were about 27 of us there. We were treated to a most interesting presentation for about 10 minutes by Shneel Malik on “Designing For Behaviour Change“.

The event had a real buzz about it with a number of young professionals in the water and broader environment space, and a number of academics also working in those sectors all networking over a drink.

I was pleased to be able to announce that next Pub Evening will be in September.

41. 20th January 2020

At mid- day today, I went to the Barbican Centre to attend the City, University of London Graduation Ceremony.

This was preceded by a Lunch in the Garden Room of the Barbican Centre for those Masters attending the Ceremony.

Following the Lunch, we went downstairs to robe up, before processing in to the Barbican Hall together with the Lord Mayor .The Lord Mayor was first installed as Rector of the University, and then awarded an Honorary Degree. Following this, degrees were awarded to numerous graduates from the University.

40. 16th January 2020

Judy and I were invited to a Reception this evening at Innholders Hall, which is a Hall that I had not previously had the opportunity to visit. The Hall itself is a gem and includes a wonderful private dining room for around 16 diners with a stunning ceiling (see photograph ).

Apart from the architectural treats of the Hall itself, we were also lucky to receive some gastronomic treats from Herbert Berger, the Chef Director at Innholders. Mr Berger is a three times winner of a Michelin star and he provided the guests with the most delicious canapes and bowl food dishes to accompany our drinks.

39. 15th January 2020

An early awakening on a dark and rainy January morning!

The reason for my early start was to get to The Walbrook Club for a 7.30am Talk and Toast Breakfast, hosted by the Worshipful Company of International Bankers.

The joint Guest Speakers at the Breakfast Meeting were Sir Robert and Lady Elisabeth Stheeman.

Sir Robert is Chief Executive of the Debt Management Office of The Bank of England. The Office issues all debt for the UK. Lady Elisabeth, a former COO at Morgan Stanley, is now an External Member of the Bank of England’s Financial Policy Committee .

It was a fascinating discussion over breakfast.

38. 13th January 2020

It is a great feeling to start the New Year with a Company event!  Holding the Myddelton Lunch on the 13^th January. and preceding that with the Myddelton Service For The Re-Dedication of The Livery has a wonderful sense of renewal and fresh beginnings about it.

This January saw a change of venue for our Myddelton Service, as we moved from St Mary –at- Hill to All Hallows By The Tower. The Service was attended by a good number of Past Masters and their Consorts , as well as other members of the Company . It represented the “ the swansong “ for Bishop Rose Hudson – Wilkin , as she has sadly been obliged to relinquish her role as Hon Chaplain to the Company , given her obligations now as Bishop of Dover.

Upon the conclusion of the Service, led by our Beadle , we processed the short distance to Trinity House for the Myddelton Lunch .Following a meal that by popular acclaim was considered outstanding, we were entertained by an speech from the Principal Guest, Aldermanic Sheriff Michael Mainelli , who wove the Role of the Sheriff, Green Finance, and Brexit into an informative and amusing speech . After the Master’s speech in reply , the Master made a presentation of one of the Company’s water jugs to Bishop Rose to thank her for her five years of outstanding service to the Company as Honorary Chaplain.

All too soon, our Beadle bade us leave the Stirrup Cup as time was up!

A wonderful way to start a New Year!

37. 10th January 2020

There was a “ Beginning of Term “ feeling about the event .

We all gathered at St Michael’s Cornhill for the City New Year Service , including the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress , and the Governor of The Bank of England.

Many greetings were exchanged between familiar faces “ Hello , How was your Christmas ?” “ Did you manage to get away from it all over the New Year period?” ……… And there was a tingling sense of anticipation about the weeks and months ahead as we all step back into the rhythm of the City Year.

 St Michael’s was packed out, with extra chairs being brought in at the back of the church . The choir sang beautifully, and the congregation raised the roof with their renderings of “ I vow to thee my country “ and “O worship the King all glorious above”.

The Priest in Charge, the Reverend Charlie Skrine delivered a powerful and thought provoking  Address on the problem of short term horizons both in one’s personal life just as in the economy.

At the conclusion of the Service, we all walked to the magnificent Drapers’ Hall for a splendid buffet lunch where we caught up with news from old friends , and met some new ones.

The New Term has started!