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