Friday, 14 March 2014
A visit to the Middle Temple
The guide was excellent and the sheltered environment in some of the court yard spaces allow lush and tender vegetation to flourish. The garden of the Master’s Lodge was particularly attractive. At the end of the tour a short but interesting discussion took place in the Minstrel’s Gallery of the Middle Temple Hall – the training of barristers is highly competitive but relatively short; the training of architects takes much longer. The guide struggled to find diplomatic responses to the relative differences, strengths and weaknesses between two great professions – the law and architecture!
Thursday, 13 March 2014
It's very hot and weighs a lot......
The Silver helmet
In 1883 Captain Sir Eyre Massey Shaw, the first Chief Officer of the Metropolitan Fire Brigade (MFB), set about the introduction of a new uniform for the firemen of his brigade.
It included a new navy-blue double-breasted tunic with brass buttons and a MFB badge, together with leather fire-boots and an axe and pouch on a heavy leather belt. But the crowning glory was the new MFB brass fire helmet.
Captain Massey Shaw designed the helmet as a more compact version of the French 'pompier' type but without projections. It had a small front peak, large neck curtain and a comb top section. This was to help protect the wearer’s neck and ears from falling debris.
This style of helmet, much copied by British fire brigades, became the Victorian symbol of a firefighter, and was to last into the 1930’s when helmets began to be replaced by the lighter cork version. Additionally, the introduction of mains electricity into buildings made the wearing of a metal helmet somewhat dangerous on occasions!
Befitting his rank of Chief Fire Officer, Massey Shaw’s helmet was made of silver, a standard copied by many other British fire brigades, for their officers.
The silver helmet on show today, whilst its origins are unknown, is typical of the Victorian period. In 2003 it was presented to the then Master of the Worshipful Company of Firefighters, Colin Livett BEM, by Liveryman Ronald Bentley. It bears the insignia 'Master' together with the Livery Company number 103.
In memory of Ronald Bentley, now deceased, it is a very treasured possession of the Firefighters Company.
The WCCA Master was allowed to wear it for a photograph at the Firefighters' Dinner on 26 February. Not very flattering to either, really...…..
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| Can the fire wait until I've finished this fine dinner? |
Tuesday, 11 March 2014
Monday, 10 March 2014
PAST MASTER MERVYN
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| Past Master Mervyn's 'Thank-You' luncheon with his Wardens at Ironmongers' Hall |
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| Past Master King watches Past Master Millar open his present |
3 days in February (or bits thereof)
11 February
At the RIBA. The Milo Lecture was delivered by Stephen Hodder President RIBA. "London as a Global Hub for Architecture.... and More". There were 22 Masters from other Livery Companies. The lecture was followed by a lively debate and a convivial reception.
12 February
At St Pauls Cathedral. A beautiful Evensong dedicated to the memory of John Penton - what a priviledge to sit in the "quire"
At Merchant Taylors'. An elegant reception following the service
On East Coast Train. Disruption to Wakefield via York and Leeds. Taxi from Leeds to Wakefield where car is parked. Shared taxi with Lebanese women. Rudimentary conversation in Arabic with 3 children
13 February
At Wetherby High School. Careers advice to 45 Year 11s. Might have encouraged on potential bricklayer and one architect.
At the RIBA. The Milo Lecture was delivered by Stephen Hodder President RIBA. "London as a Global Hub for Architecture.... and More". There were 22 Masters from other Livery Companies. The lecture was followed by a lively debate and a convivial reception.
12 February
At St Pauls Cathedral. A beautiful Evensong dedicated to the memory of John Penton - what a priviledge to sit in the "quire"
At Merchant Taylors'. An elegant reception following the service
On East Coast Train. Disruption to Wakefield via York and Leeds. Taxi from Leeds to Wakefield where car is parked. Shared taxi with Lebanese women. Rudimentary conversation in Arabic with 3 children
13 February
At Wetherby High School. Careers advice to 45 Year 11s. Might have encouraged on potential bricklayer and one architect.
Friday, 7 February 2014
Well worth a climb
In between my masterful affairs last week, I had time to visit the Royal Academy to see the "Sensing Spaces: Architecture Reimagined" Exhibition.
This is the nearest I've been to an angel for some time!
Mrs. Master's Diary
The Learned Clerk and the Clerk Emeritus have pointed out that I should be blogging . There will be a delay whilst I decide whether to emulate Samuel Pepys, Bridget Jones or Adrian Mole..... or should it be a comic?
Let me know at the Milo Lecture next Tuesday.
Let me know at the Milo Lecture next Tuesday.
Sunday, 2 February 2014
Thursday, 30 January 2014
Chris Bisset gives a talk about his
The photo below is of the Master, Jaki Howes, handing a cheque to Chris Bisset, from the Architectural Association school of architecture, at the RIBA on Tuesday, 28 January, 2014.
Chris had just given an excellent presentation on 'The tradition of copying in Japan' - the subject of his journey - to an audience comprising about seventy people. He was a worthy winner of the WCCA's Stuart Murphy Travel Award - probably the best candidate so far.
The WCCA Travel Award for 2014 will be administered by Anne Markey, the company's Master of Students.
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Wednesday, 29 January 2014
A new Liveryman of the Company - January 2014
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| Stella Ioannou gets signed up |
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| Livereyman Ioannou tucks in... |
New students - January 2014
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| Students Dominic James Edwards and Matthew Loosley |
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| Mentor Roger France in support |
Wednesday, 11 December 2013
Merry Christmas 2013
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| The Temple Bar - Etching by Andrew Ingamells reproduced by kind permission of Guinness Flight Hambro Asset Management Ltd. scanned from the Master's christmas card |
Season's greetings and best wishes
from the Master
JAKI
Monday, 25 November 2013
The Master Masters BLOGGER!
Watch the action unfold!
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| Mrs. Lord Mayor salutes Mrs. Master's bravura |
Jaki's first step(?)s...
Monday, 18 November 2013
Laurie Chetwood's 10 x 10 picture
“The area formed part of the walls of Londinium (Barbican is from the LatinBarbecana meaning fortified outpost or tower). The site was used as a burial ground during Anglo-Saxon times, later becoming a Jewish cemetery and finally an un-consecrated burial ground for non-conformists. In the 17th century the City fathers refused permission for theatrical productions within the City. As the Barbican lay outside the walls it became the centre for amateur theatricals and entertainment, alongside a warren of slum housing and impoverished dwellings. The site was destroyed by German bombs during WWII, brutally revealing much of the area’s history.The present-day development commenced in 1958, taking 20 years to complete, and is Europe’s largest arts centre. The picture shows The Barbican as a graveyard - the residential towers as tombstones. Contemporary dancers perform whilst being watched by ghost-like figures of evacuees who lived there and were never to return”.
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Peter Murray and his 10 x 10 sketch
Exchange House, designed by SOM, which spans the railway tracks coming out of Liverpool Street station is one of the city's most dynamic pieces of architecture. The grand arch which springs from granite plinths at either end of the building signals its bridge-like function. The Square is host to regular events and the drawing shows a game of croquet in progress, watched by a lunchtime audience of local workers and, to the left, Stuart Lipton who was responsible for the original development. The drawing attempts to reflect the dynamic nature of the building and the public space it encloses.
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David Assael and his 10 X 10 sketch
Please find below the drawing given to 10x10 for their auction by a new Freeman to the Company, John Assael.
"Each year, 100 participants come together in the summer to create 100 pieces of work, giving 100 perspectives of London, which are then exhibited and auctioned in November. Previous participants have included Lord Norman Foster, Zaha Hadid and Grand Designs’ Kevin McCloud. The project is a unique concept, with the designers and artists producing wonderful pieces of artwork inspired by the environment they help to create and shape, as well as providing a commentary and critique on the constantly changing landscape of central London.
Every year 10×10 captures a different area of the city. This year the project will focus on East London, an area encompassing striking and innovative examples of architecture, both traditional and modern. In the shadow of the ‘Gherkin’, this area encompasses modern developments, many associated with the ‘Silicon roundabout’, to historic landmarks such as Brick Lane and the Boundary estate – one of the city’s earliest social housing schemes. East London is a truly diverse area, both culturally and creatively, where our 10×10 artists will have no problem seeking influence for their work.
During mid November, a public exhibition of the work will be held, followed by an auction of the artwork by Sotheby’s. This auction will be an exclusive event taking place during the week of the 18th of November at a central London location. All proceeds of the sale go to Article 25, the charity that builds solutions to global problems.
This year’s 10×10 will raise money for Article 25’s Street Children Centers, starting with projects in Ghana and Kenya. Over the next year, we will be helping to provide the necessary infrastructure for enabling children who live on the streets to get back to their families or foster families, schools and communities."
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| Mark Street - Mark Square London EC2A |
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Lord Mayor's Day procession - pictures by Geoffrey Purves
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| The Master steps out |
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| The Master, the Upper Warden and a volunteer 'student' placard holder |
The Master, Sam (student) and I picked up our robes, Masters Chain, Tricorn hat, two berets, placard and leather holster from Painter’s Stainer’s Hall at 9.00am and we proceeded to our assembly point in London Wall. We joined a group of other representatives from Modern Livery Companies and waited in the queue of highly organised and well marshalled displays until about 10.30. The atmosphere was happy and jovial with lots of banter about the uniforms, costumes and ambitiously designed floats. We had been warned that the weather forecast was not favourable and to come prepared with umbrellas. As the procession got underway so the rain began to fall – and continued to fall continuously and more heavily for the next two hours and yet the spirit of the event was not dampened. As my first experience of taking part in this event I was delighted to see so many people lining the route despite the adverse conditions. From the Guildhall we processed through the city via St Pauls and onwards to the Royal Courts of Justice. We continued to the Embankment where a glass of champagne was enjoyed with a picnic lunch – by then it was unimportant that most of us were soaked to the skin. We resumed our place in the procession after lunch proceeding along the Embankment. However, perhaps with a rebel streak, we peeled off early to return our robes to Painter’s Stainer’s Hall but not before we had watched the new Lord Mayor in her coach pass by giving a wave to our Master. We then made a hasty retreat to our newly acquired flat for a welcome gin and tonic. A marvellous day was had by all.
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| Re-homing large yellow dogs |
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| The pretty costumes of the 1600s |
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| 'Leaves on the line'; back up service? |
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| The Hon. Artillery Company's field gun |
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| Which guards regiment - how many buttons? |
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| A Beefeater and two (queasy?) Watermen |
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| La Lord Mayor, Fiona Woolf |
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| The Lord Mayor's Pikemen |
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