Master Water Conservator

One of the most unlikely candidates for carbon zero by 2050 is the aviation sector. But for several years, with government and industry funding, work has progressed to make this a possibility using the UK’s world class innovation and aerospace engineering. The Honourable Company of Air Pilots and the Worshipful Company of Scientific Instrument Makers held a Green Aviation Event – Jet Zero 2050 on 25 October at the Glaziers Hall.   Speakers at the Jet Zero 2050 Event   An all-day Event, the morning included presentations from The Lord Mayor, Alderman and Sheriff Alison Gowman (reflecting City interests in zero carbon and its financial institutions), and the Aviation Minister, Robert Courts. After a break, further presentations included Whizz Air UK’s Managing Director, Marion Geoffroy, and Colin Sach, on financing the transition to the Jet Zero pathways – i.e., how to get there. The striking thing from this Event is the inclusive nature of the approach, including research...

  The Livery Climate Action Group (LCAG) held an online interactive Event on 18 October, coinciding with the launch the LCAG website. Its purpose is to engage with Livery Companies and encourage interest in the topic of Climate Action. After months of hard work from the Group led by Alderman and Sheriff Alison Gowman, the Event illustrated the accumulated practical guidance and information designed to help Livery Companies develop their thinking, and adopt measures in their own Climate Action Plans, aligned with COP26. The presentation also recognised the Livery’s wider influence in promoting change. With contributions from leading figures in sustainability and climate action, the Event was concluded with a substantial contribution from Baroness Brown, Vice-chair of the UK Climate Change Adaptation Committee. Although there was some optimism in the presentations, the overall feeling was one of concern about the pace of change. Over 200 people participated. ...

Mrs Carrie Marsh was installed as Master of the Worshipful Company of Fuellers on 11 October and celebrated the event at a Dinner at Fishmongers Hall. The Principal Guest was Alderman & Professor Michael Mainelli, who had just completed two years as Sheriff of the City. A key feature of his Shrieval responsibilities was to make London the place to do global business. He set out his vision of Livery service, around three ‘Cs’ – Charity, Community and Commerce, and the need to renew and maintain our relevance, and spread knowledge. He then proposed the Toast to the Fuellers’ Company – Root and branch, may it flourish forever . Past Master HRH The Earl of Wessex, Alderman Prof. Michael Mainelli and Master, Carrie Marsh Master Carrie Marsh said in reply that the Company was responding to the challenges. The next event was the Earl of Wessex Future Energy Conference, 2021 , to be held on 15 November. This would be an expert-led review of the outcome of COP26 and the implications f...

Despite a wet start at midday at the Guildhall, 26 walkers set off to visit 16 fountains in the City of London, to raise money for the Water Conservation Trust’s schools’ education programme. The thing that impressed most walkers is how few fountains still worked. But, we were spoiled at the start, with a new ‘Plastic Free City Campaign’ drinking water refill fountain in Cheapside followed by the St Lawrence Jewry and St Mary Magdalene fountain, south of St Pauls, where both worked. The latter was situated in Guildhall before being restored and relocated 2010. The walkers at St Lawrence Jewry and St Mary Magdalene fountain From here we managed to walk some seven miles within the City’s square mile in search of 14 more – from Holborn to Aldgate, from Blackfriars to Finsbury Square. Ably led by Deputy Master, Rob Casey, with the Master as rear-guard, we didn’t lose anybody – well, not for long, anyway! The result, apart from the disappointing number of active fountains in the City,...

The Launderers and Water Conservators have a strong mutual interest – water. Georgina and I had previously met Master Launderer Ken Cupitt and he kindly invited us to the Deputy Master Launderers’ Annual Banquet at the Mansion House. As with a number of Companies, Major Jack Strachan, now Deputy Master, had arranged his Banquet five times, up to now frustrated by the pandemic. The event was a much-anticipated reunion, hosted by the Lord Mayor Locum Tenens , Alderman Sir David Wootton, (the LM being in Dubai). Also attending were Sheriffs Alison Gowman and Nicholas Lyons.   Masters: Launderer Ken Cupitt and Water Conservator Peter Hall   The opportunity was taken to renew its connections with the Royal Logistical Corps, and make an award to the 710 Laundry Squadron Soldier of the Year, WO2 Shaun Trezise. Music was provided by Southwark Cathedral chanters and the HAC Band. The response and Toast to the Company was given by The Rt. Hon. Sir Tony Baldry DL.   Ge...

The Livery gave £72 million to deserving causes in 2019/20 and is one of the top six grant makers in the UK. This was one of the facts shared at the 2021 Pan Livery Conference on 6 October at the Mercers’ Hall. Walbrook Warden Martin Bigg represented the Water Conservators. The objectives of the conference included increasing understanding of livery philanthropy, capturing ideas to increase its scale and impact, improving communications and encouraging further collaboration. Over 100 Livery company and City representatives heard Alderman Sir Charles Bowman, Chair of the Pan-Livery Steering Group, set out the challenges to the 48,000 Liverymen and Freemen in their activities, profile and communications. Alderman Sir Charles Bowman This was followed by an upbeat presentation by the Lord Mayor, who included the Livery as contributors to the recovery post-Covid. Speakers asked a series of interactive questions on the membership of the livery and perceptions internally and exter...

City Liverymen gather at Michaelmas to elect the Lord Mayor at Common Hall. Unlike the Sheriffs, who are elected by the Livery alone, the Lord Mayor’s election process is shared with the City: they propose suitable candidates, this year only one candidate was put forward for 2021-22, the Livery agreed, and the Aldermen sorted it out in private, returning with Alderman Vincent Keaveny . This was a slimmed down and carefully planned event because of Covid-19: the Church service at St Lawrence Jewry was cancelled and seat separation in the Great Hall meant that the usually crowded event was tranquil. The Lord Mayor (in the black hat) with Lord Mayor Elect Vincent Keaveny, escorted by Sheriffs Alison Gowman and Nicholas Lyons. Common Hall also agreed that Alderman Nicholas Lyons should be considered for 2022-23, and three names, including our Hon Freeman, Alderman Michael Mainelli, for 2023-24. This was followed by speeches and tributes to those surrendering office, and a fanfare as ...

On 27 September 2021, the Company held its Michaelmas Lunch at Trinity House. The Master welcomed over 60 Members and guests to the first face to face Lunch since January 2020. The theme was climate action and the speaker was Alderman Sheriff Elect Alison Gowman. Her theme was working with City institutions to acknowledge the pressing need to address climate change and to be prepared to support actions that would lead to reductions in carbon emissions. City Livery Companies have a part to play and Alison had formed a pan-Livery partnership to develop and adopt individual climate action plans in the run up to COP26.  Alderman and Sheriff Elect Alison Gowman, the Master, Alderman Dr Sir Andrew Parmley and the Master’s Consort, Georgina She was pleased to note the significant contribution from Members of our Company, led by Deputy Master Rob Casey, and that our Court had adopted our own Climate Action Plan earlier in the day. Action is everything, and our contributors have been asked ...