Master Water Conservator

On 26 September 2021, Deputy Master, Rob Casey and I set off to walk the route of the proposed Charity Walk, scheduled for 10 October.   It may not occur to you that there is a pre-walk but, obviously, it is essential for health and safety reasons and, as important, it defines the route we choose for the formal walk on 10 October. For the last 10 years we have pre-walked the routes – for the simple reason that pre-walks tend to cut 2-3 miles off the actual route! We look at all possible locations and themes. This year it’s fountains - and there are 20-30 scattered around the City, many in some sort of terminal decline as drinking fountains.   A very modest drinking fountain en route   The actual walk is on 10 October and we are encouraging everybody to join us. It will be 5 miles or so on flat pavements. We are collecting for the Water Conservation Trust’s schools’ programme. If you want to join us, or to sponsor a walker, you can find the details on the Com...

The emblem of the Architects On 23 September 2021, I was invited to the Worshipful Company of Architects’ Installation Court Lunch as guest of Philip Cooper, Master Architect. The Installation Service and Ceremony had taken place earlier at St Lawrence Jury.   The Company is a modern Livery Company, at number 98 in the precedence of Livery companies. The Company promotes quality architecture in the City of London and the architectural profession globally; it supports education through awards and prizes as well as a range of charities related to the City. The Architects and Water Conservators have much in common in areas such as sustainability, be it housing or commercial properties   Over Lunch, there was much talk and excitement in the recovery to London and the use by the Company of Temple Bar. Temple Bar is the only surviving gateway to the City of London, where it once stood at the junction where the Strand meets Fleet Street. Sir Christopher Wren’s Temple Bar ma...

On 20 September 2021, I was invited to the Worshipful Company of Farmers’ Luncheon for Masters and Clerks. This an important event reflecting the recovery from the lockdown and an opportunity for farmers to acquaint us with their concerns about the future of British farming. Reflecting the lockdown situation, it was hosted by the Master Farmer, Richard Whitlock, supported by the immediate Past Master, David Bolton. Master Farmer, Richard Whitlock   The principal speaker was Minette Batters, President of the National Farmers' Union of England and Wales for 2020–2022. Well-known for her determination and media presence in support of farming, she gave an impassioned speech about the issues facing British farmers, and the difficulties of briefing Ministers about the benefits and consequences of a range of choices besetting the sector. The mood of those present was upbeat but there was also some nervousness for the future.   I am grateful to the Farmers’ Company for thi...

On 17 September 2021, the Fishery Experiment took place on the banks of the River Thames at Gravesend. This ‘experiment’ has been running for almost fifty years and records numbers, size and diversity of fish caught by teams of anglers over four hours.   I am grateful to Warden Martin Bigg who represented the Water Conservators’ Company and presented the Biodiversity Award. He recalls that ‘ it was a very good day helped by warm dry weather, albeit that numbers had to be reduced to 10 teams as a Covid precaution. Eileen and I had a fascinating morning talking to the anglers of all ages, and local experts from the City of London Corporation and the Environment Agency. They explained how the diversity of species in the river had improved and changed in the life of the experiment but how the Thames was being threatened by climate change. This included the loss of Cod and the arrival of Mediterranean species due to increased water temperatures.’ Walbrook Warden Martin Bigg with o...

This event, for Livery Companies formed after 1926, takes place twice a year and is an opportunity to have an informal chat with Companies facing common problems. Dining arrangements are done in rotation. On 13 September 2021, Wardens Christine Jarvis and Martin Bigg attended the first dinner held at the Butchers Hall, hosted by Sue Christensen, Master, Worshipful Company of Tax Advisors, with an interesting talk by Adrian Waddingham CBE, Past Master Actuary. Martin writes ‘ It was very useful to hear how the companies are adapting to post-Covid operations with most now returning to face-to-face events with attendance slow to catch up. Some Companies are looking at regional gatherings. ’   ‘I had an interesting chat with John Farrell, Master Marketor and Dr Trevor Brignall, Senior Warden, on the climate action plan, and they volunteered to share experience on member recruitment .’   My thanks to Martin and Christine for so ably representing the Company.

On 17 September 2021, I honoured a pre-existing arrangement to visit to the Hellisheidi Geothermal Power Plant in Iceland. The superheated hot water used for power generation and district heating contains a number of gases dissolved in the disposal water: essentially carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrogen sulphide. The CO2 is then dissolved in water (as in sparking water) and injected into the basaltic rock forming stable, solid carbonates, such as calcite. The sulphide is converted into the very stable mineral, iron pyrite (fool’s gold). The process I saw is marketed under the Carbfix brand. Although CO2 emissions from geothermal plants are comparatively low, the Icelandic Government wants to move emissions to zero. Hellisheidi Geothermal Power Plant

On 20 September 2021, I joined a service at St Vedast-alias-Foster to celebrate the 650th anniversary of Worshipful Company of Fletchers’ foundation. At some point before 7 March 1371, the leaders of the crafts of the Bowyers and Fletchers, who had previously formed one association, agreed that the two crafts should separate completely, and that henceforth no one individual should be allowed to make and sell both bows and arrows. We were welcomed by the Master Fletcher, Professor Anne Curry and by the Rector, the Revd Paul Kennedy . By chance, acceptance for the Anniversary Celebration had been received from 65 Masters, who together with their Clerks and the Liverymen of the Fletchers, attended the Service. For many, it was their first major event since lockdown and the energy that went into the singing was amazing. Until well into the 21 st  century, the Fletchers Company remained a Company ‘by prescription’, that is, they relied upon the authority of the Mayor and Aldermen of...

On 27 August 2021, Deputy Master and WCT Trustee, Rob Casey, and I visited the Spitalfields City Farm in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. This followed an invitation to look around with a view to working with the Farm to develop outdoor educational opportunities closer to home for City primary schools. The Farm has an established programme of school visits for animals and agriculture topics. We met CEO Phil Nichols to discuss how the Trust could support the Farm’s schools programme and, following our discussions, Phil has agreed to submit proposals with a focus on water and the environment. Trustees could then consider financial support to introduce this to schools in the diverse catchment area. These proposals will also include visits to schools, which the Farm can do, with a horsebox full of goats, pigs... The Farm welcomes visitors and offers a genuine feel of traditional mixed farming.

On 21 August 2021, I joined WCT Trustees and partners in Maidstone to celebrate the 20 th anniversary of the Affiliation between Maidstone Sea Cadets (T.S. Scott) and the Company. At the invitation of Officer in Charge, P.O. Stephen Pilkinton, and in the presence of the Mayor of Maidstone, Cllr Fay Gooch, the Sea Cadets organised a display of the activities covered by the Unit followed by a lunch prepared by them. I assisted in the award of qualifications and prizes and spoke of the pride the Company has in its link with this active youth organisation. The Trust has funded the cost of a berth in the Sea Cadets’ training ship for the best cadet, whose name is inscriber on a plaque. This year, Stephen asked that the inscription mention all cadets, recognising their contribution to keeping the Unit operating during the pandemic.   Unit Awards 2021 Over the years, the Trust has responded to requests for financial assistance. In 2010, Trustees helped with the cost of a new Trinit...