Other installations at the Court of 18 September 2013

Christopher Nigel Bicknell (L) and Paul Weston (R)
are admitted to the Court as Assistants

Jonathan Ellis-Miller is elevated from freeman to liveryman

Michael Bailey becomes a full member of the Livery

***

Installation of the new Master Jaki Howes

Jacqueline Frances Howes

The installation court that starts the new WCCA Mastership took place at Watermen's Hall, 16 St Mary-at-Hill, London EC3R8EF on 18 September 2013.

"Nice chain, Merv!"

"I found it quite weighty..."

"How's that, Madame?"

"Light as a feather!"

Mervyn's last missive - for now!

Master Farewell

If you can bear to action it, here is the last instalment of my end-of-term Master's Blog Report. I’ll add a few pictures to leaven it later this evening.....

The road to hell is paved with good intentions and it’s already September as I settle down to write my last updating to the blog.  Grateful Thanks to the untiring dedication of Chevalier Copping, who has tirelessly uploaded these musings. In the interest of sanity all I can to is to provide a list of what I’ve done since the beginning of July, and will be doing over the next two weeks before I’m airbrushed out of the front line.  Looking back, I’m not quite sure how I’ve done it all, but I know that I’ve mostly enjoyed it and there are many things which I know will never come again, and which I have been privileged to do.  And I’ve been fortunate in having the support of a Consort who has certainly made a positive impression at the many events we have attended together.  I’ve learned that the importance of a Master’s role lies not so much in personal enjoyment as in helping to raise the profile of the Company, particularly when the Older Companies are around: only time will tell whether I have succeeded, and in two weeks it will be Jaki Howes’ turn to pursue the same objective.  It’s also been a pleasure to work so positively with the Royal Institute of British Architects, whether it be their hosting and the Presidential imprimatur of Angela Brady on the Milo Lecture last February, or the commitment of Richard Brindley to further the  ‘London as a Global Design Hub’ with the City of London Corporation.  We had a very positive, and I hope productive meeting at Guildhall with Paul Sizeland and Peter Sissons of the Corporation’s Economic Development Office on 27th August, when Richard Brindley and Richard Saxon led the presentation.

Ironbridge - 1779

July 2013

• MON 1: St Lawrence Jewry Annual Service 6.00pm
• 
  
• THU 4: Chartered Accountants’ Dinner, Mansion House, 6.45 for 7.30pm
• 
  
• MON 8: Sheriffs’ and Recorders Fund Reception at Old Bailey
• 
  
• TUE 9: Election Court, St Lawrence Jewry, 3.30pm
• 
  
• TUE 9:  Company Annual Service, St Lawrence Jewry, 6.00 pm  
• 
  
• TUE 9: Election Court and Dinner, Skinners’ Hall
• 
  
• FRI 12: Distillers, Glaziers and other Companies’ 375th Anniversary Reception and Dinner, Middle Temple Hall. 
• 
  
• WED 17: Actuaries’ Dinner, Fishmongers, Guest of Adrian Waddingham (Sherriff Elect)

• THU 18: Knights Bachelor Annual Service St Paul’s Crypt, 11.00 am and Reception Apothecaries’ Hall
• 
  
• FRI 19: Lunch with Master Constructor and Wardens at Guildhall Club, 
•    12.30 for 13.00
• 
  
• WED 24: Distillers’ Company Whisky Master Class and Tasting, Apothecaries’ Hall, 5.30 pm.
• 
  
• WED 24: The Master appears with Una Stubbs on ‘Who Do You Think You Are’, talking with her about Ebenezer Howard, founder of the Garden City Movement, her great-grandfather, 9.00pm
• 
  
• THU 25: Open Evening, Kingston University Conservation Course, 6.00pm
• 
  
• FRI 26: Michael Welbank Luncheon, Guildhall, 12.30pm
• 
  
• FRI 26: Tour of former Midland Bank HQ (Lutyens), 3-5.00 pm

August 2013

TUE 6: Court Luncheon at Carpenters’ Hall, 12.45 for 1.00pm

TUE 27: ‘London as a Global Design Hub’ presentation with Richard Brindley and Richard Saxon at City Economic Development offices, Guildhall, 11.00am

Midland Bank 1

Midland Bank 2

Midland Bank 3

Midland Bank 4

September 2013

MON 2: Michael Bailey receives City Freedom @ Chamberlain’s Office, Guildhall, 3.00pm

THU 5: HMS Belfast Charity Dinner, Constructors’ Company, 6.30pm

MON 9: Launderers’ Lecture, Glaziers’ Hall, 6.00pm

TUE 10: Ardwina Luncheon, with MM Finlandia presentation, 12.30pm

TUE 10: WCCA Committees aboard Ardwina, 2.30 pm

WED 11: Reception for Royal British Legion Poppy Factory, Drapers’ Hall, 7.00pm

THU 12: Modern Companies Dinner, Armourers and Braziers’ Hall, 7.00pm

FRI 13: Worshipful Company of Musicians, Composer’s Concert, Mansion House 6.00pm – 7.30pm

MON 16: Presentation of Adrian Waddingham’s Shrieval Chain, Saddlers’ Hall

TUE17: Installation Court and Lunch, Watermen’s Hall: MM completes year as Master

Reference to the events list above will indicate a busy few days before I am stripped of the Company’s accoutrements at the Installation Court, immediately after I install Jaki as the new Master.  She will, I am sure, plough her own distinctive furrow, and rightly too.  Before then, Ann and I are looking forward to the Constructors’ Charity Dinner on HMS Belfast on 5th September.  Tomorrow, 2nd September Freeman Michael Bailey has invited Jaki, Edward King and myself to join him and his parents at a celebratory Luncheon prior to attending the Chamberlain at Guildhall to obtain his Freedom of the City of London.  Michael has been one of our brightest students, and is rising through the ranks at MAKE, one of the most prestigious modern practices.  He was bound as a student to Edward King, under the watchful eye of Jaki (as longstanding Master of Students).  I released Michael from his indentures at the April Court, and installed him as a Freeman of the Company.  Armed with his Certificate of Freedom (written by hand on vellum), he will present himself to the Court on 17th September to be installed as a Liveryman of the Company by Jaki: wherever his career may take him he will always be a Citizen of London, with a few ancient rights and privileges (including driving sheep across London Bridge).

So now it’s time to look to the future, bid a fond farewell and Hail the New Master on 17th September.  I’ll be proud to receive my Past Master’s badge on that occasion, and to serve the Company in a more unobtrusive manner.

Grateful thanks are due to the Clerk, Ian Head (and Ann who has often been at the sharp end during Ian’s first full year in charge).  

Also to the Wardens: Jaki Howes (Upper), Geoffrey Purves (Renter) and Peter Murray (Junior); and apologies to Edward King, Deputy Master for not giving him much to do.  And, of course, it’s now full steam ahead with the ‘Great 13’ (the 2013 Masters’ clan)! 

The stalwart Ann

The Master goes potty

Mervyn Miller

Master 2012-13

   

The Master's latest report for 6/2013

The year’s rushing away like nobody’s business.  June 2013 was particularly hectic with a slew of goodies.  It began comparatively quietly, with an evening reception on the 4th June at Plaisterers’ Hall to celebrate (and collect money for) Peterborough Cathedral Choir - worthy but not outstanding.  Then a summery luncheon on the 5th June down in Surrey at the City of London Freemans’ School, pleasant and relaxing, as aperitif to the blockbusters that followed. Thursday, 6th June was a wonderful day. The Stalwart Consort  Ann travelled up from Birmingham and I met her at Euston as the temperature rose – one of the first days of a real summer (which was not sustained). She was elegantly dressed in a floral outfit with a most becoming hat; I in traditional morning dress, with the top hat in which I was married back in 1973 - I’ve hardly worn it since, but it’s not too moth-eaten.  Taxi to the Royal Automobile Club in Pall Mall, where Master Constructor Stephen Rigden hosted a convivial luncheon and champagne flowed.  Then hot foot to Buckingham Palace, for what turned out to be an historic Garden Party.  We had followed orders and had left out cameras and phones behind.  We entered through the Palace Courtyard and swept into the gardens.  Notwithstanding orders, people were snapping away with their phones – it seemed uncontrollable and frustrating.  After we had battled with the tea queue the Royal Party emerged at 4.00 pm and made their way through the marshalled crowds – the Queen in a pale green outfit – we got quite close and she was her customary self.  So was the Duke of Edinburgh.  It was only afterwards that we heard of his departure for hospital – meticulously planned in advance.  You’d never have known it from the way he and the Monarch carried the afternoon in outstanding devotion to duty.  We returned to the RAC and contented ourselves with being photographed against an immaculate classic 1940s touring Riley.

Scarcely a pause for breath and then it was off for to the Master’s Weekend in Ironbridge (June 7-9). This was another highlight of the year, an intensive dawn to dusk tour of the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, following the successful smelting of iron in the mid-18th century by Abraham Darby I (who begat a dynasty, all confusingly identically named from I to IV).  There were almost 100 Masters with their ladies, partners and consorts.  We were divided into three buses, with the consequence that we didn’t see the others as they did the itinerary in differing sequences.  The original ironworks, the Jackfield tile works and Blists Hill village were highlights – at the latter Christine Rigden had donned leather breeches to give a demonstration of ale conning, which involved sitting in a pool of the liquid, to test for stickiness (and she put herself up for re-election at Common Hall so she clearly enjoys the task).  Two black-tie dinners later, we were ready to choose the name for our Masters of 2013 Association.  The proposition from the floor of Great 13 could have been controversial, especially as Master Mercer of the number one company attended, but he went with the flow as the title was unanimously and noisily acclaimed. So Great 13 it is and will evermore be.

Wednesday, June 12: Garden City Lecture at Welwyn Garden City – this was for the Welwyn Garden City Heritage Trust, and not a Company event, but it was comparable in its high profile with the Milo Lecture. ’Hands across the Sea’ chronicled the Transatlantic ideas on community planning from Ebenezer Howard to the advent of the British New Towns through Letchworth, Hampstead Garden Suburb, Welwyn Garden City, Radburn NJ and Greenbelt MD, with the career of Raymond Unwin providing a linking thread.  Introduced by Lord Salisbury of Hatfield House, whose Great Grandfather had sold some of his land for Welwyn Garden City, the audience included the Town and Country Planning Association as well as local dignitaries.  It all went smoothly and was enthusiastically received.  

Two days later, on Friday, June 14 we had the Canterbury Cathedral visit, scaled down from the original weekend possibility, but a full day, arranged by John Burton, Surveyor to the Fabric and just about to become Master of the Masons’ Company. It’s so easy to reach Canterbury from St. Pancras.  We began with a general briefing and a session in the Masons’ Workshop with Heather Newton, Head of Stone Conservation, followed by an architectural tour from the Crypt upwards.  After lunch two excellent guided historical tours, a wander round the Precinct in beaming sunshine, and Evensong, to which we were officially welcomed. A pause for an ale in an historic hostelry (plastered with notices about the consequences of drug taking on the premises), then a smooth, swift ride back to the smoke, rounded off an excellent day.   

The end of June was nothing if not manic. Thursday, June 20: Lunch with the Drapers Company was the first of to a twosome featuring outstanding hospitality from the ‘great twelve’.  I’ve always liked drapers’ Hall which is one of the most opulent livery halls in London. Our banquet there in 2009 was down-scaled due to the riots in the City, when the G8 economic Forum was held in London. The master, Lady Victoria Leatham, was reaching out when she spoke of the contribution made by the modern companies to livery life. Perhaps I’m being cynical but it sounded a little like the hug a hoodie campaign embarked upon by David Cameron when visiting Wythenshawe, a multi-problem Manchester - erstwhile Garden City - housing estate, while he was leader of the opposition. Perhaps a little of the revolutionary zeal of Ironbridge had rubbed off on her presentation and who are we to spurn the hand of friendship, sincerely delivered in the context of outstanding hospitality?  That evening there was a Livery Concert hosted by the Mercers’ Company, with musicians from the music foundation at Prussia Cove.  Their concert, especially Beethoven’s Archduke Trio, was absolutely outstanding - I doubt whether I’ll ever hear a fine performance of the Beethoven! It was followed by supper, outstanding hospitality from the Number One company which I’ll always remember after the fast approaching end of my year. A hectic but outstanding day!  There was no let up as next day, Friday, June 21, I journeyed to south London for the Master’s Reception and Luncheon, for the Firefighters’ Company, held at Winchester House in Southwark Bridge Road.   This had been the home of an outstanding 19th-century firefighter poached from Ulster to become the first systematic organiser of the London Fire Brigade. Some of the plush Victorian ambience of his home remained, but its main purpose is now the Fire Brigade Museum. This graphically records its development from its origins when the practice of firefighting evolved, ranging through the early 20th-century and two World Wars. The images of the burning buildings of the 1940s still remain icons of the tragedy of conflict. Peacetime did not bring up any let up in the serious impact of fire, both on buildings and people, not least the firefighters themselves. A photograph of the burnt out ticket hall at King’s Cross underground station reminded me that I had walked through less than an hour before the tragic 1987 fire erupted. That fire was caused by massed litter beneath the wooden escalators of the 1930s. Shortly after it was Terror that stalked the London streets and stations, particularly the horrors of seventh of July 2005. We forget the significance and sacrifice of the Fire Brigade at our peril, and this museum is a timely reminder and reality check.

Monday, June 24 dawned brightly as I hurried to catch an early train to reach the Breakfast Club for Common Hall held at Haberdashers Hall from 8.00 am.  These events are really promotions for catering companies keen to engage the patronage of the Livery for their events. Nevertheless a full English breakfast is welcome for the start of a busy day.  By mid-morning we were all assembled in the crypt beneath Guildhall searching for our ground and regalia, dressed by the clerks and marshalled into order of precedence to progress into Guildhall at the opening of Common Hall. This was my second and last experience of active participation in the panoply and splendour, walking slowly down the centre aisle at the start of the proceedings. Shortly after the Lord Mayor took his seat at the centre of the dais, the Shrieval Election began. As the two posts were not contested the voting was by acclamation. Although every Liveryman is eligible to vote, in practice it is limited to as many of the livery who can crowd into Guildhall. Voting over, I walked across to Farmers and Fletchers’ Hall for an excellent luncheon.  Unfortunately service was slow and I had to apologise to leave before desert was served, as I was due back in Guildhall Yard for the annual Armed Services Parade and Reception. The link between the military and the City is long-standing and remains strong. Veterans from conflicts as distant as the Second World War attended the reception: I was astounded to talk to a veteran of 87, born nearby in Gracechurch Street, who had enlisted in the Royal Marines at 16 to be sent to south-east Asia to try to stem the onslaught of the advancing Japanese army. He had survived both this and many subsequent conflicts, during which many of his colleagues had fallen.

Only two commitments during the last week in June:   Tuesday June 25 saw the jury on the WCCA Student Drawing Prizes and the set of Committees as prelude to the Election Court on July 9th, and the End-of-Year show of the Building Crafts College at Carpenters’ Hall. This included some very sophisticated joinery and furniture which was of a professional craft standard, as well as the results of courses designed for young people who had dropped out of full time education. Across-the-board, it was a very worthwhile show and ended a busy month, possibly reflecting a rush of events programmed to happen before the summer recess.

Not that July 2013 looked noticeably quieter,
but that’s for a later installment. 

Ebeneezer and Una, explained by Master Mervyn

WCCALGCWDYTTA

Election Court, Annual Church Service and Dinner at Skinners' Hall - July 2013

On a sunny July afternoon, the latest Election Court was held in the side-chapel of St. Lawrence Jewry, the Wren church that lies next to Guildhall.  Master Mervyn held his term's last formal meeting that, amongst other business, confirmed the Court appointments for 2013-2014.

Our 'Master' elect - Jacqueline  Frances Howes.

Three new Freemen of the company were initiated 'by redemption' (ie by company sponsorship) and they will shortly receive their Freedom of the City from the Chamberlain of the City at Guildhall.  

John Assael, Andrew von Bradsky
and
Stephen Hodder. 

Then onwards (after a decent pause) to full membership of the Livery.

The death of three Liverymen in 2013 focusses the importance of new members of the Company and Court.  Our condoleances go to the families of these three once popular Liverymen.

After a service including a string of 'architectural' hymns and Bible lessons led by the Rev. Can. Parrott, the assembled company progressed across busy Cheapside, to 8 1/2 Dowgate Hill where we all entered the extraordiunay Skinners' Hall.  CLICK HERE for more on our Livery Halls.

Speechified, fed and watered, we all wended our way home in a balmy summer evening.

Skinners' Hall anteroom

The Master of rhetoric!

Dinner in Skinners' Hall

A convivial summer evening - daylight + candles

the low level view from the new 'Master-Cam' - including Mervyn's glass (+R. thumb) of
Bourgogne Pinot Noir Paul Pillot 2009

A photo treat for the advocate of the late great Sir Edwin LUTYENS!
- sharp July sunlight on the façade -
click on the image to enlarge

* S T O P   P R E S S *
Stephen Hodder
a new WCCA Freeman is 
Royal Institute of British Architect's
PRESIDENT-ELECT
2013

***

The Master's Stalwart Consort reports...

Dear WCCA Webmaster,

How could you use the word cheeky in relation to my wonderful factual accounts of the travels of the Master and the Stalwart Consort?

I am at the moment lying down in a darkened room with the telephone switched off and dire messages being sent to my clients and contractors not to try and contact me unless the foundations have been condemned anywhere!! And even then, only if the Building Inspector is stuck down the trench.

It all started on - this could take some time so do collect a cup of coffee and a few buns before you continue reading - 13 May when we went to the Diamond Wedding celebrations of Alastair and Patricia at the Ironmongers' Hall. All went well and I managed the Circle Line on my own to Barbican having persuaded the reception clerk at Travelodge Euston that I needed to get into a room to put on my shoes and jacket. It was after this that everything started to whirl around - we got back to Euston and I insisted on retiring to the nearest pub [for coffee of course] whilst the Master used my room to change into his white tie and tails. The rain was heaving down and the sight of Mervyn formally attired in a pub at 5.30 pm was something to be remembered. After I had then changed, we went on to Mansion House for a formal dinner with Mervyns cousin - a High Court Judge no less - the music alone will remain with us for ever - the Post Horn Gallop played in echo from one end of the Egyptian Hall to the other.

That was the 13 May.

The next event was again at Mansion House on Thursday 16 May, the Tilers and Bricklayers. By this time the cloakroom staff were starting to recognise me. I had had lunch with the Lady Mayoress, when we were entertained by a talk given by Michael Hall about the Mansion House paintings, ten days previously. One of the paintings is a copy but I have yet to discover which one it was.

Then Mervyn took me to Finland. I left home on 22 May and got back at 10.15 pm on 30 May. I will leave Mervyn to do the architectural bits, but thought that the attached photographs may give a flavour of the trip.
See the photos referred to in the text below, at the foot of the post...

• Mervyn in his blue boottees [1] is apparently attempting to break into a cupboard, he did however recover enough to be found in characteristic pose [2] [not sure whether this is better or worse than the Spirella trip] all over the place [3] He did find time to fuel up occassionally [4] leaving him with the energy to delare UDI in the nearest church [5] where he did one of his characteristic paintings of St Christopher [6] to ensure our safe return - but apparently too late for Sibellius [7].
• Strange place Finland - these were the only cats which we saw [8 and 9] although the bears were out in the woods. [10].

Don't go away yet.

The following Thursday, we went to the Royal Garden Party after lunching at the RAC Club!!!!! [see attached - no! that is not Mervyn's car] and the day after that, Mervyn drove to Birmingham and we went on to Ironbridge for the Lord Mayor's Livery Weekend. With a formal dinner on Friday evening and a Ball on Saturday evening and visits to several museums and sites later, do you wonder that I am lying down in a darkened room? I won't describe the sight of the Master in various hats, nor record the fact that I made the steam engine move; and as for the dancing - words fail me.

Virgin Trains have called me to know if I am alright, as they have not supplied me with any train tickets this week, the cats have refused to speak to me for days and my granddaughter regards me as a source of constant presents from all over the world.

Having a lovely time, wish you were here.

ANN

The Stalwart Consort

Peter Murray's cycling trip across the USA

CLICK HERE 

to see the U-tube posts about Peter's cycle trip across the American continent. At present he is in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

the crew in a pub 

Keep on  trucking  pedaling

Here are a few more details

Tom-the-Almoner's endorsements of the master-elects visit to Leeds

From our Almoner:

The WCCA's Yorkshire Visit to Leeds and Wakefield

As a Yorkshireman I would like to encourage others to make the commitment to this visit - you will not be disappointed.

I know Wakefield as a school resident for 10 years and at a time when Barbara Hepworth was a local star and Henry Moore was not an unknown visitor. The local countryside is as good as any to say the least, and abounds with country mansions; Nostell Priory (Mansion) close to Wakefield, has the finest collection of Chippendale Furniture, all with their original receipts, anywhere in the country. Leeds City Hall is the venue for the internationally renowned annual pianist competition; and of course The Huddersfield Choral Society has a wonderful history, and only one of the many choirs around the County producing The Messiah  every Christmas time. Opera North and Yorkshire Ballet are of a very high standard too - then there are the shopping arcades ......

I attach a cutting from the Times which tells more about the Sculpture .

Best wishes

Tom B

CLICK HERE FOR VISIT DETAILS

The Master's report of 1 June 2013

As April dawned, I reflected on the fact that I was beyond the half-way tenure of the Master’s post.  However there was still a lot to come, and some weeks would be crammed with must-do’s.  Concurrently I pondered that work seemed to be easing off, only to have a shedload of new projects confirmed a few days later.  The only constant was the eternal background of unseasonally foul weather.  On WED 3 April it was déjà vu for the Carpenters' Lecture, given at Carpenters’ Hall. This was given by Dan Kelley of the Carpenters’ Company of Philadelphia (We visited them in 2010).  The lecture was not a technical exposition, but a pageant of American history related to Federal Courthouses; an unusual perspective but a reminder that in 1968-70 I was resident in the Midwest during a key period – Civil Rights, Vietnam and draft dodging.  Nothing until TUE 9, the pre-Accounts Court WCCA Committees, which revealed the difficulties of budgeting: doing more with less is ever-pressing.  On the positive side Richard Brindley’s WCCA-RIBA promotion of London as a World Architecture Hub through the Lord Mayor’ Office was evolving well, and Tom Ball had made a creative link with the Royal Academy’s ‘Attract’ project for young people.

On THU 11 Hawksmoor’s sublime Christ Church Spitalfields appropriately hosted a Service of Thanksgiving to commemorate the local Huguenot community, part of the tragic diaspora that followed the revocation of the Edict of Nantes by Louis XIV.  The service included readings and a fine address by Dr. Richard Chartres, Bishop of London, himself of Huguenot descent from a community in Dublin.  We stuttered the Lord’s Prayer in fractured French.

MON 22: Jury on student entries, lunch and pm at 77 Portland Place.  This is now a collaborative effort with the London Region of RIBA, and we had seven shortlisted entries from which to choose: the winner will investigate the cultural obsession of the Japanese with reproducing historic buildings and monuments in cultural theme parks.  

TUE 23 saw the Court and Lunch aboard HQS Wellington, the unique floating Livery Hall of The Mariners’ Company.  Built in 1934 for patrolling in the Pacific ocean, she had undertaken arduous and dangerous convoy duty during the Battle of the Atlantic during the Second World War.  For once the weather was kind as Ann and I sipped our pre-lunch drinks gazing towards the Shard. At the Court, Michael Bayley had been released from the shackles of his indenture, and I installed him as one of our brightest young Freemen – would that we had many more but the student cell at MAKE, fostered by Jaki, is one of our most hopeful portents for the future. At Lunch I referred to ‘The Cruel Sea’ and ‘The Navy Lark’, quite appropriate as we are now consolidating relations with our new ‘regiment’, the Orpington Sea Cadets. The Guest Masters were Master Mason David Blake, Master Tin Plate Worker Andrew Balcombe and Master Environmental Cleaner Peter Robb (my first event two days after installation had been his Company’s Charity Walk around the Halls, which had included the Wellington).  Altogether a convivial and memorable event. 

TUE 23: Engineers’ Installation Court Dinner, Skinners, 7 for 7:30 pm.  It’s always difficult to know how to fill in between lunchtime and evening events.  This time I left my DJ at Painter-Stainers’ Hall, then took a bus to Tottenham and back, noting retro-clothing and charity shops for future exploration.  The Engineers’ Dinner was crowded, up to the usual standard, but without a memorable occurrence. 

THU 2 May: Ian, Jaki and I were among the Liverymen who met David Parrott at St Lawrence Jewry, to hear of his future projects and finance.  As with most City churches, there is no large congregation, so approaches to the Livery (and the Friends) are vital to secure the future, although the City of London Corporation has agreed to take responsibility for the fabric of the church. Unsurprisingly, David had an ambitious shopping list, with projects to suit all budgets from alms bags to restoration of the piano (essential for the well-established lunch-time concerts.  Surprisingly, the long history of the church has never yet been comprehensively researched and published.  Next week on WED 8 St Bartholomew’s View Day had a service in the noble austerity of St Bartholomew the Great, followed by a reception in the Great Hall of the Hospital and tour of the state-of-the-art cancer facilities.  As a personal dimension to this, my godmother was a patient there in 1972, under Hamilton Fairlie (who was killed by a terrorist bomb).  Sadly her acute leukaemia was inoperable.  I was under high pressure that day, with three site meetings, and fell flat on my face while hurrying through Smithfield.  I was lucky to incur only minor cuts and bruises, but the incident shook me up as a wake-up call.   

On MON 13 the STEWART DIAMOND WEDDING LUNCHEON at Ironmongers’ Hall was a cause for happy festivity, with two of the most generous benefactors of the Company.  Two of their daughters, Catherine and Judith attended.  The Company presented Alastair and Patricia with a turned ash wood charger, purchased from Wizardry in Wood at Carpenters’ Hall last Autumn.  That night there was no peace for the wicked as Ann and I were guests of my cousin, Sir Gary Hickinbottom at the ARBITRATORS’ CHARTER BANQUET, held at Mansion House. This was spectacular, particularly when the trumpeters of the Militaire Orchestra sounded off with the Huntsmen’s Gallop across the Gallery of the Egyptian Hall.  This was a particularly busy week, with the FESTIVAL OF THE SONS OF THE CLERGY on TUE 14 involving processing to the rotunda, and a choral spectacular with three cathedral choirs, and an address by the Bishop of Norwich. On WED 15 the Constructors Lecture at the City University was a well-structured exposition of the case for HS2 delivered by Professor Andrew McNaughton. Return to MANSION HOUSE on THU 16 for David Cole-Adams’ TYLERS & BRICKLAYERS’ BANQUET where Ann and I were official guests.  Another great occasion, with the Pikemen providing a guard of honour.  Brickbats, Flashers and Bonding were in evidence in David’s witty booklet on the historic craft and trade of the Company.  The musical interlude on the Organ to be presented to the Queen utilised the avian attachment for ‘A nightingale sang in Berkeley Square’, quality nostalgia from the time of my birth. Then a respite until WCCA Past-Master Peter Luscombe’s Past Masters’ Association’s 20th Anniversary Luncheon at Vintners’ Hall on TUE 21.  It was Peter who decided that I was a fit enough person to join the Company! The it was time to pack for the Master’s Study Tour to Finland 23-30 May
… so that’s all for now folks.

Master Mervyn Miller - 1 June 2013 - Derby Day

Mervyn's Finland trip - a report

A Study Tour to Helsinki

Worshipful Company of Chartered Architects - May 2013

The Master had organised an architectural study tour to Helsinki with assistance from Karen Bergenthal of East Town Travel, Milwaukie, who had previously organised three visits to the US for the Company.  The local tour guide Mia was excellent.  A small group (Nick and Diana Rowe, Geoffrey and Ann Purves, and the Master and his Consort – Mervyn and Ann) enjoyed a fantastic weekend – extended by the Master and Consort to a week – and it was refreshing to see a small country (population 5 million) functioning efficiently within the European Union.  As a student I had first visited the city in 1964 when I met Alvar Aalto (he died in 1976) and it was interesting to see how his legacy lives on. The Aalto University has a very high quality design and technology faculty and his influence on the visual arts remains very powerful.  The country has successfully developed a strong knowledge-based economy.

The architecture of the city remains firmly rooted in the highly developed forms of the modern movement with Alvar Aalto being an important link in the architectural lineage in the western world following on from Frank Lloyd Wright, Gaudi, Mackintosh, the Arts and Crafts Movement and the Bauhaus. Aalto was followed in this tradition by Ralph Erskine and, of course, we have his Scandinavian influenced Byker Wall with its characteristic forms and use of wood, here in Newcastle.

We visited a number of modern churches – all of them I thought were very fine buildings but they reflect the tradition of the modern movement and showed little evolution towards the fractured geometry which is increasingly influencing UK architecture as computing technology enables designers to be ever more adventurous in creating non-rectilinear buildings.

In addition we also visited many of the landmark Aalto buildings including the Pensions Institute, his own house, Finlandia Hall, the Academic Bookstore and the Helsinki University of Technology.  We also saw the railway station by Saarinen, Senate Square with Engel’s Cathedral, an impressive new Campus Library by AOA Anttinen Oiva Architects … and on and on we went for three very full and tiring days, refreshed in the evening by aperitifs and excellent local food including Arctic char and reindeer.

There is a strong tradition of the competition system in Finland and many buildings are chosen as a result of an architectural competition.

Culturally, I was reminded again on this visit of the strong cross connection in the Finnish culture between music and poetry and the visual arts. The Kalevala, with its tales of magic adventure and folklore, is a bedrock of the mysteries of Finnish culture which has captured the imagination of composers and visual artists for over 100 years. You are aware of the powerful interaction between the music of Sibelius, the natural elements of the landscape, and the architectural forms which provide a spiritual framework for the 5 million people who populate Finland. You sensed the strength of this resilience which has developed as a result of Finland being politically squeezed between Sweden and Russia with power and control changing sides in its recent history.

Having enjoyed the visit so much, with a warm and convivial atmosphere it is a great pity that more members of the WCCA were unable to enjoy the excellent preparation done by the Master – it was an heroic and memorable event in Mervyn’s busy calendar as Master.

A summer sunset beyond the smoke-sauna jetty, LakePäijänne
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Päijänne 

inside the smoke-sauna (savusauna)

report by Dr.Geoffrey Purves

A court meeting afloat on HQS Wellington

The Master's recent photo album