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.