MASTER'S REPORT FOR THE YEAR
1997 - 1998
February 1997 - AGM & Annual Luncheon, Guildhall
The
AGM Luncheon on February 28th was a great success, being well attended
and a very friendly affair and we were fortunate to have the Masters of
both the Pewterers and Salters with us. After a splendid meal, we had an
interesting address from the Lord Mayor, Roger Cork, who was due to
leave for India and Pakistan the following day for a 10 day promotional
visit. He presented me with an up-market cork-screw with his name on it,
and I gave him a copy of "The History of Cripplegate".
March 1997 - Harold Pinter Studio, Twelfth Night
A small intrepid band then ventured to the East End on March 6th to see
the Queen Mary Players performing Twelfth Night at the Harold Pinter
Drama Studio of Queen Mary and Westfield College. Although an amateur
group, the standard of the performers was very high, and a thoroughly
good time was had by all.
April 1997 - National Sound Archives
April 14th saw us the other side of London this time for a visit
to the National Sound Archives where we were told about the collection
it's breadth - being not only classical and pop music but also
traditional music from other countries, animal and bird sounds and the
spoken word. We heard about a recent oral history project which had
culminated in a book called "City Lives". After this we were
shown round the library and had a demonstration of the computer
catalogue before being shown the recording studio and some original wax
cylinders. It was a most interesting and informative visit and an
opportunity to see their original home before they move with the rest of
the British Library to St Pancras at the end of the year.
June 1997 - Fan Museum
On a sunny Sunday afternoon on June the 8th, we assembled at the Fan
Museum in Greenwich for a talk on the history of fans and fan making and
a tour of the current exhibition, which we were told they changed every
four months, on Biblical themes. The history of fans is an interesting
reflection on the social history during their heyday and it was
fascinating to learn about the number of different trades involved in
fan making. After the tour we had a very pleasant afternoon tea of home
made scones and jam and cakes in the Orangery overlooking the small
Japanese style garden.
See
also the Photographs Section........
July 1997 - Shakespeare's Globe Theatre
Saturday July 19th again saw us with sunny weather south of the river
for a visit to The Globe. Late morning a large group assembled for a
tour of the theatre which proved most enlightening. We then had time for
lunch where the majority who stayed on went just along the river to The
Anchor for a typical pub lunch. After lunch a slightly different group
reassembled at the theatre for a performance of 'A Winter's Tale'.
Unfortunately seats were scattered and some people had obscured views,
but it had been a most interesting and enjoyable outing.
September 1997 - Lambeth Palace
In September on the 11th we headed for Lambeth Palace for an exhibition
"Successors to Augustine" which took place in the library and
celebrated the double events of the landing of Augustine in Canterbury
in 597 and the acquisition of the site at Lambeth by the Archbishop in
1197. It was fascinating to see the illuminated books and documents
relating to historical events.
October 1997 - Annual Banquet
October 13th saw the Annual Banquet at the Chartered Accountants Hall
where we filled the Members room for dinner, having previously had the
reception in the library. Both rooms were most distinctive in their
architecture which added to the pleasure of the evening. Our speaker was
Peter Hennessy, Professor of Contemporary History at Queen Mary and
Westfield College. He gave a most interesting account of his search for
the British Constitution and by the end of the evening we all felt he
was indeed still looking.
November 1997 - Lord Mayor's Show
On November 8th, we were lucky to be able to watch the Lord Mayor's show
from outside Guildhall, and afterwards have lunch in the Members dining
room. The display of floats, as usual, was excellent and the weather was
kind to us; the rain staying away until after the Lord Mayor returned to
Mansion House. We have to thank our President Alderman Gavyn Arthur for
arranging our privileged viewing.
See
also the Photographs Section........
November
1997 - Whitechapel Bell Foundry
November 29th saw us in one of the oldest Bell Foundry's in England at
Whitechapel. We had an extremely interesting tour seeing both how the
bells were cast and then tuned, and even hung. We then moved on to The
Alma public house, taking it's name from the one British victory in the
Crimean war, where we had a very pleasant lunch.
See
also the Photographs Section........
December 1997 - Christmas Carol Service
St Giles, as usual, was the venue for our Carol service, on December
11th, and we were pleased to be joined by the Salvation Army Songsters
of Upper Norwood. The collection raised (£340) was donated to the
Salvation Army for their work with Saint Christopher's Hospice. After
the service, a reception was held at the Pewterers Hall allowing several
of our members an opportunity to see the recent decorations which had
taken place.
January 1998 - Royal London Hospital Helicopter Emergency Service
(HEMS)
My last event of the year took place in the Old Library, Guildhall on
January 22nd, where along with Bread Street Ward Club, representatives
of 30 other Ward clubs, Livery companies and other organisations
associated with the City with over 230 present we were told about The
Royal London Hospital Helicopter Emergency Service (HEMS). We have all
read about it in the newspaper and many of us have seen the helicopter
in action so it was interesting to hear about the history of the service
and just what it is trying to achieve. The Cripplegate Ward Club also
made a donation of £500. The talk was followed by light refreshments in
the Crypt. It was wonderful to be able to use such a venue, which, as it
was a charitable event, we were give free of charge, and thanks must go
to Derek Kemp who made the necessary arrangements.
Other Activities During the Year
During the year I have also attended several events on behalf of the
club.
May 15th was the Ward Clubs Soiree at the Bishopsgate Institute
where we had a talk from Miss Judith Mayhew the new Chairman of Policy
and Resources Committee.
On May 20th I attended a Concert at the Guildhall School of Music and
Drama given by students who were sponsored by the Cripplegate
foundation.
May 22nd I attended a Dinner at the Pewterers as a guest of the
Master and Wardens.
The Pewter Live Show which I also attended took place on June 4th at the
Ironmongers' Hall where prizes are presented for the best student
designs in pewter.
October 16th I attended another dinner at the Pewterers as a
guest of the Master and Wardens.
March 1998 - Susan White, Master
