Master Water Conservator

Not many Water Conservators belong to Ward Clubs, but we seem to have settled on the Walbrook Ward Club, founded in 1809, now boasting four Past Masters amongst its Membership. They have a few events each year which are well supported by a cross section of City and Ward people, and Liverymen. This year, at Saddlers’ Hall, Alderman John Garbutt, Ward Club President, welcomed the guests. The response was given by Chris Hayward, Sheriff of the City of London 2019-2021. The evening was delightful, with musical accompaniment from the London Banqueting Ensemble from the Gallery and down amongst us for the Post Horn Gallop. The Loving Cup Ceremony was cancelled for obvious reasons. I sat next to 1999 Sheriff Pauline Halliday and amongst friends from other Liveries and the City generally.

The Company and its charity, The Water Conservation Trust are committed to taking steps to reduce their impact on climate. Since its foundation in 1991, the Trust has funded water and environmental education in schools and universities, in the latter case assisting over 150 graduates to achieve Master Degrees on courses and subjects at the heart of our Livery commitment to benefit the environment. The Trust has a fund of about £700,000 split between two investment houses. Over the last eighteen months, the Trustees have reviewed the portfolios and decided both must change to reflect better the Company’s aspirations. The first offered an ‘Ethical’ portfolio with a comparable return – something that Trustees have a duty to maximise – at an effectively no-cost transfer. This was done at the beginning of July 2021. The second investment house could not offer a satisfactory alternative and a replacement was sought. After an exhaustive (and exhausting) search by Hon Sec Christine Duthie,

Professor Carolyn Roberts Our December webinar was something different but illustrated the usefulness of a solid understanding of hydraulics and a sharp mind. Court Member Carolyn Roberts, Water and Environment Consultant, presented “ Out Of Our Depth? Assisting The Police With Their Enquiries ”. Often murder victims are disposed of in our rivers and the talk was based on her experience as Expert Witness for the UK police forces and other agencies. Her contribution being the application of applied scientific principles to murder investigations. Indirectly helping to establish the new science of forensic hydrology. The talk was excellent and well-illustrated with unsuccessful attempts to dispose of murdered bodies in rivers. I attended an earlier version, in 2015, in the flesh, so to speak. The queues to hear about how to avoid detection went out through the door into the courtyard at Barnard’s Inn Hall! Presumably resulting in less call for her services in the future.   Co

  Rt. Hon. The Lord Mayor Vincent Keaveny Each year, the new Lord Mayor holds a briefing to thank the Livery Companies of the City of London for their support, and to discuss how he intends to work with them to deliver Mayoral themes and a Better City for All by supporting charity partners and continuing thought leadership initiatives with – Power of Inclusion, This is Me, She Can Be and City Giving Day. The gathering of Masters, Prime Wardens, Upper Bailiff and Clerks at Mansion House also received briefings from Sir Charles Bowman, PwC, Alderman of the Lime Street Ward and a Past Lord Mayor. Sir Charles is Chairman of the Pan-Livery Steering Group whose objectives include closer working, better communications and improving the culture of pan-livery engagement. The next steps include improving communications about the Livery as a whole and communications within the Livery. This catalytic impact should be complete within about three years when new and stronger inter-Livery struct