NEWSLETTER ~ AUGUST 2009

EVENTS DURING 2009

I thought it would be interesting for members to have some 'feedback' on the events that have taken place in the Master's year so far, especially for those who live too far away to be able to participate.

In April, 29 members and guests visited the BBC Television Studios at White City. This was very enlightening on how programmes are produced and all the peculiarities involved. For instance, the weatherman talks to himself (!) operating a camera and the map on the wall behind him in a small room. We also saw a large studio where many popular programmes are made. These studios are completely soundproof with large steel doors filled with sand to deaden all noise and they have to be adaptable.
Carpets that you see on screen, for instance, are painted on the floor because a camera rolling over real carpet would produce a wobbly picture! The 'carpet' can then easily be cleaned off ready for the next scene. The newsroom was very interesting and the staff work in shifts as we are now all used to receiving 24-hour news. The visit was followed by a very enjoyable supper at the BBC Media Centre.

Our next event was totally different as we drifted back into history at Dr. Johnson's House, just off Fleet Street. Numbers were restricted to 26 people. Our guide was very enthusiastic regarding her subject and brought Dr. Johnson and his times to life.
The visit ended with supper in one of the rooms and the evening was so convivial they had to throw us out at 9.00 p.m!

In June 30 members and guests travelled independently to Knole House in Kent where we had a very privileged private tour before the general public were admitted.
After coffee and biscuits upon arrival two very knowledgeable stewards guided us around the house. As it was very quiet you could stand in a bedroom and hear the wind blowing down the chimney; quite awe-inspiring to think that people who had slept in that room hundreds of years ago had heard the same sound that you were listening to now. Taxis conveyed us to the Royal Oak for lunch and everyone agreed that the meals were delicious. After lunch we travelled back to Knole where members could join a tour around the grounds or make another visit to the house. A very enjoyable day and we were lucky that our Master gives her time as Steward Organiser at Knole and we therefore had such a special visit.

Our most recent visit was to Lloyds of London. This was restricted to 40 places, which were quickly taken up, and there was a waiting list. Everyone met together at the City Flogger for lunch, the a.m. group having just been on their tour and the p.m. group yet to set off. Once again we had very knowledgeable guides who had worked at Lloyds for 40 years, had retired and were asked back to organise public tours.
Lloyds has many interesting artefacts, including the original logbook containing the famous 'England expects' message from Lord Nelson. Apparently, this was sent by Nelson as a sort of joke, as it was unbelievable that anyone would not do their duty and he knew it would cheer everyone up and put heart into them. Whether this was true or not, it certainly worked. Although Lloyds has embraced the computer age along with most other businesses, the record books of wrecks and salvage are still maintained and staff are sent on calligraphy courses so that entries are written in a beautiful hand. Also insurance arrangements between brokers and underwriters are still conducted face-to-face and not via emails. Lloyds began over 300 years ago in Edward Lloyd's coffee house in the Pool of London by the Tower. A broker looking for risk -takers would go to the coffee house and obtain signatures from those interested. The first risk-taker would sign the paper establishing the costs, premiums etc., and the others would write their names under his i.e. 'underwrite' the risk and this system still prevails today.

I give below events for the remainder of this year: