The Review of the Tylers and Bricklayers 2023

Worshipful Company of

Tylers and Bricklayers Chartered

in 1568

Review ISSUE 34 | OCTOBER 2023

The new Craft Bursary Scheme Installation of the new Master

In This Issue Editorial

Worshipful Company of

2

Masterpiece

4-5

The Installation

6-7

Reflection

8

Charity Report

10-11

Tile Museum by the River Scheldt

12

Carol Service and Supper

12

The Company’s Treasures

13

T&B Mystery in L.A. Treasures of Gold and Silver Wire

14-15 15

Craft Bursary Scheme

16-17

Wine Committee

18-19

HMS Magpie

20

Annual Guest Banquet

21

The Company Stewards

24

Another Fabulous Craft Awards

25

Brigantes

26

Masters’ and Clerks’ Luncheon

27

Court and Livery Luncheon

28

Craft Visit to RSME

29

London Careers Festival

29

Master’s Visit to Kent

30-31

Charter Day Visit to Greenwich

32-33

Golf Day

34

Pancake Racing

35

Lord Mayor’s Big Curry Lunch

35

Photographic Competition

36

New Freemen and Liverymen

37-38 39

The Wardens New Court Assistants

40-41

New Stewards and Almoner

42

Diary Dates

44

The Worshipful Company of Tylers and Bricklayers www.tylersandbricklayers.co.uk Front cover: The Very Revd Andrew Tremlett, Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral 2022-23 Master John Schofield and Master Pavior, John May at Apothecaries Hall.

We are part of the Livery Company Climate Action Group and environmental impacts are a growing concern to us.

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Tylers and Bricklayers

Issue 34 | 2023

Chartered

Editorial

in 1568

Court Assistant David Williams

Our new Master has really risen to the challenge while Upper Warden and has done the bulk of the sourcing and editing of articles himself ‘as in the old days’. This has made my job this year rather less hands on and simpler than usual. I commend his effort reflected in some superb content in this Review.

This is the 14th issue of this annual communication to members with which I have assisted and a timely reminder that the hunt continues for a new editor, preferably with some publishing experience. If you have the skills to help the Upper Warden produce this newsletter, please let us know – while healthy I cannot go on editing forever!

In the rest of this editorial space I thought it useful to reflect on the parlous state of our house building industry. Four years ago, prior to election, the Conservative Party promised to produce 300,000 new homes a year by the mid 2020s. Yet according to the latest EPC data, only 239.300 new homes were completed in the twelve months to June, down 2% on the previous year. More alarmingly, UK completions for the whole of 2023 are now thought unlikely to exceed 225,000.

The skilled worker shortage remains a restriction to growth, in turn affecting wage costs with the competition for skills. A reluctant government has recently added Bricklayers, Plasterers, Carpenters, Roof Tilers etc. to the list of trades qualifying for Skilled Worker Visas for those currently living outside the UK. In addition to labour shortage and its increasing cost, Britain’s army of smaller housebuilders are affected by the higher costs of borrowing with the Bank Rate now at 5.25%. Materials are also considerably up in price. Add continuing planning constraints and the much heralded Future Homes Standard scheduled for introduction in 2025. Furthermore, the profitability of housebuilding is affected by achievable house prices, and these are down 4.7% in the last twelve months according to the Halifax. The perfect storm.

However, the problem is not just on the supply side. While hopefully both have now reached their peak, inflationary pressures and much higher mortgage interest rates have inevitably suppressed demand.

Builders are experiencing unexpected difficulty selling completed homes in many areas.

As a result, new house starts in 2023 in London and the South East now confirm a downward trend.

Members of our Company have been at the forefront in providing homes over many generations and we would wish to see a healthy and expanding market, fully able to meet housing need. Building 25% less volume than the government’s target, clearly new housing remains a difficult challenge both for the industry and political parties of all persuasion.

Lastly, the Master and I would again like to thank the members who have supported the publishing of the Review through donation or the placing of advertisements. This has enabled the Company to produce an annual record of its activity and progress in this current form.

The 2023-24 Master Christopher Causer with the Mistress Gillian www.tylersandbricklayers.co.uk

3

Master Piece

A Family of Professionals

Christopher Causer Master

This is the text of the speech given at the Installation Luncheon in Carpenters’ Hall on 5 October 2023 Every new Master approaches the job with a degree of trepidation. It is a great honour to be selected, but also a great responsibility.

The Tylers and Bricklayers are an ancient company, over 600 years old, and are well regarded in the City.

We are lucky enough to represent three trades that remain important in the modern world and are profitable!

“May I start by welcoming everyone who has come along today – it is nice to see the hall so full. On behalf of all the guests, can I thank Master Carpenter for joining us and for allowing us to entertain in his marvellous hall. We regard it as our home hall and many of our treasures are safely stored here, two or three floors below us.

I must also thank Sir David for his excellent and amusing speech. I have known David for over 50 years. We met at Cambridge, went through the full Hugh Grant of weddings and funerals, with the odd christening thrown in, and are now both approaching 70. David was a fine speaker in his Cambridge days and was President of the Cambridge Union in 1975: nothing seems to have changed, but 40 plus years of advocacy and judging have added to the store of anecdotes and introduced a note of judicial certainty! It really is a great pleasure for me to share this special day with my oldest friend.

Thank you and Susan for joining us today, not just for the lunch but also for the church service. We wish you well for the new legal year which started on Monday.

•••

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The Master has the duty of keeping the ship on the right course for twelve months, avoiding all rocks and shoals, and then to hand command over to his or her successor with ship intact and the crew in good spirits. In very recent times the Master has been confronted by quite threatening circumstances, namely the impact on our lives of the corona virus, which prevented the Company from operating in the way it has done for centuries. The then Master, the Wardens and the Court managed to steer a way through, with financial integrity preserved and very little reduction in membership numbers.

Thankfully that period is behind us and we are now holding our lunches and dinners with large numbers of members and guests attending, helped by a successful couple of years in terms of recruiting new Freemen and Liverymen.

In that context I should pay tribute to my immediate predecessor, John Schofield.

John has been a formidable Master who has led us through a programme of events and activities which looks daunting just on paper.

There is some speculation on the Court as to what John eats for breakfast. The leading theory is that he consumes two or even three Weetabix. I have never known someone so enthusiastic and cheerful 24 hours a day and

his physiology is a mystery to those of us with more normal temperaments. Helen was a willing co-conspirator in all this and spent a lot of time planning and organising their year.

Thank you both for a memorable year.

Being Master is a weighty task but it of course offers a lot of fun along the way.

It gave me enormous pleasure a couple of months ago to spend an evening in a restaurant at the St Pancras Hotel with our Chaplain, deciding on the hymns and music for this morning’s service. We then conferred with the Director of Music, Richard Townend, who gently made a couple of suggestions for getting the balance right. We ended up with a service which I hope you all felt was uplifting and appropriate for our Company. Thank you Jonathan and Richard.

••• It is customary at this Installation Luncheon, marking the start of a new year, for the incoming Master to do two things – to explain his plan, vision or target for the year, just like the Lord Mayor and the Sheriffs do, and to summarise the key events coming up in the Livery year. So I will do just that.

Finding a vision or a plan was causing me sleepless nights, since there have been 441 already and finding a new one is tough. Then fortune intervened, as it often does, and I came across someone else’s vision which seemed just right.

Some of you will know that for the last ten years or so I have been engaged with Army Training Regiment Winchester, as a member and then as Chairman of their Independent Advisory Panel. I have spent a great deal of time on camp and got to know many of the professional staff over the years, and learned a lot about the Army and how it operates.

Every new Commanding Officer issues directions when he arrives and the current CO, Lt Col James Cartwright of the Royal Gurkha Rifles, issued his 18 months ago. His vision of the Regiment was as a Family of Professionals. As soon as I heard him say this, I thought – Brilliant. That exactly describes the Tylers and Bricklayers.

We are all professionals in our fields, and between us cover a vast range of professions, trades, crafts and activities. We have medical doctors, nurses, accountants and lawyers to add to our craftsmen, architects, engineers and owners of businesses. We have judges and military officers, serving and retired.

What we share in common is that we are professional in what we do.

are represented in three generations, but the Upper Warden is a Bird, and we have other Bird family members here today, not necessarily called Bird. They too have produced Masters for centuries. Like Game of Thrones, we have room for more dynasties, so now is the time to start one!

People from other livery companies sometimes ask me if we have any links with our trades and I generally reply (blurring the time lines slightly) that we have Liverymen currently working on Hampton Court Palace, the Royal Albert Hall and the Houses of Parliament. That generally quietens them down.

And the theme of ‘Family’ continues in this year’s hall bookings. As I mentioned, it is usual to say a bit at this point about the main formal events in the coming year.

Like a family, the Ts and Bs span a big range in terms of age, from Onyinye our apprentice and the youngest Fuller, to very distinguished Liverymen of greater age – and here today we have the Father of the Company, also a Fuller, who joined the Livery in 1954!

Col James was keen to point out to his troops that although the regiment is a Family, that does not mean you have to like every other member in it! What matters is that when the chips are down and things are threatening, you all pull in the same direction.

I like to think that is how we operate and will continue to operate in years to come.

So my plea to current liverymen and freemen is this year, to bring along a family member or two to our events. A sibling, a cousin, son or daughter, niece or nephew. It will swell the numbers for that event and you and your guest will definitely have a good time.

In the case of young people like daughters and sons, nieces and nephews, it is unlikely that they will be able to afford to join a livery company there and then, so it is a long term investment. In 10 years’ time, when your daughter is a heart surgeon and your son a successful TikTok influencer, they will recall happy times in livery halls and think about it more seriously.

And it is an investment that works for you too – in 20 years’ time, when you are feeling bored in a residential care home, the nephew may smuggle a bottle of gin in for you!

We are lucky to have two or three families who have been Ts and Bs for centuries. I have already mentioned the Fuller clan, who

•••

At Christmas we return to the lovely and recently refurbished Armourers’ Hall for supper following the Carol Service at St Margaret Lothbury. The hall worked really well last year, with members sitting round small tables, and we hope to have the same high number of guests as last Christmas.

The Craft Awards lunch has grown into one of our most popular events so we have decided to move to a larger hall next year.

We have booked the wonderful Goldsmiths’ Hall, which has been described as a small palace hidden in the City. The Mistress is a freeman of the Goldsmiths and we have been to numerous exhibitions of jewellery at the hall, but this will be the first visit by the Ts and Bs for some years. If you like gold and scarlet, or possibly crimson, and lots of bling, it is the place for you! The principal guest will be Lt Gen Sir Mark Mans, who is one of our liverymen, and we will be recognising the first apprentices supported by our Bursary Scheme. Master Carpenter, I am pleased to report that one of the bursary holders is training at the Building Crafts College.

For the Annual Dinner we are going to Merchant Taylors’ Hall. It is a large and impressive hall, the only livery hall with its own organ, with a delightful courtyard. If the weather is dry, it is the perfect place to sip a glass of champagne and gaze at the roofscape of the City.

My father in law was a working brewer and a liveryman of the Brewers’ Company, so for the Masters’ and Clerks’ lunch in June we are returning to Brewers’ Hall. This is a little gem where traditionally the alcohol served at its own functions is provided by the Master’s family brewery or distillery. Recently they had a Heineken Master, but Heineken do more than just lager so everyone was happy!

I will tell you more about my father in law and

his interesting life, including giving the nation Courage Directors’ Bitter, if you come along to the lunch.

The Master’s trip next June will be to York and will include a tour of York Handmade Brick, a specialist brickworks owned by our Liveryman David Armitage, and dinner at the Mansion House. We were also planning a gin tasting at York Gin but only last week Sheriff King announced his Love your Liver campaign at Common Hall so we may have to re-think that one.

Finally, I am delighted as a former Chairman of the Craft Committee that our Triennial Awards fall into my year as Master. In September, we are going to Vintners’ Hall (sorry, Sheriff) for the awards presentation and then an excellent lunch. Vintners’ is the company you join if your family owns a wine merchants or you have a strong interest in swans – they share ownership of the swans on the Thames with the Crown and organise the swan upping each year.

With the exception of Brewers’, which is a small but very pretty hall, we have gone for large and indeed quite grand halls, so there is really no excuse for not booking up to attend, and do bring along a family guest or two! *** It now falls to me to say a few thank you’s on behalf of the Company and our guests.

First of all, to the caterers Party Ingredients, for preparing and serving such a wonderful meal.

To our Wine Committee, for selecting and buying the champagne, wine and madeira – in the case of the claret, buying it some years ago.

To Rex Levi (sitting over there) who is standing down as Senior Steward after many years of service, handing his blue gown on to a younger man.

Finally, to our Learned Clerk, Heather, who is the one person who puts together the whole show as producer and director, and who manages to keep sane and cheerful throughout – Heather, thank you.

I wish you all a safe journey home.”

www.tylersandbricklayers.co.uk

5

The Installation Service and Lunch The installation of the new Master and Wardens took place on Thursday 5 October 2023 at the church of St Margaret Lothbury.

It was my first time at the ceremony and I would recommend it to any members of the Livery who have not yet experienced it.

The ceremony involves the outgoing Master (John Schofield) with the help of the Beadle and the Clerk transferring his medal and gown to the Master-Elect (Christopher Causer) after the Master-Elect has sworn allegiance to the Sovereign and undertaken to perform his duties. This process then cascades down through the new Upper Warden (Jenny Rolls) and the new Renter Warden (Alan Dodd), by the change of gowns and medals the ceremony providing a literal depiction of an orderly transfer of powers.

I digress but it might also answer a question I have had since I first became a freeman. How was it that most livery companies, so hardwired to loyalty and deference, supported Parliament against the King?

The installation ceremony certainly makes crystal clear that deference is conditional upon adherence to defined roles. It is a world of contract with no room for constitutional

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mysticisms, even those inside a King’s head.

A more worldly explanation I have read is that the King, when he fled London, defaulted on his debts to the livery companies. Perhaps we are even entering the realm of Oscar Wilde, where to break one contract is unfortunate but to break a second….

Time to return to St Margaret Lothbury! The installation was followed after a brief pause by the Annual Service and the new Master and Wardens duly re-entered the main body of the church in procession, the Rector, Jeremy Crossley, welcoming us with a charm he was to display throughout. There followed a succession of anthems performed by the Lothbury Singers, also hymns, prayers and readings, as many as possible incorporating references to the sea, until in his address the Chaplain (the Venerable Dr Jonathan Smith) finally spilled the beans: it was all a nefarious plot by the Master to make us keen sailors like himself.

Unsurprisingly, this is not exactly what the Chaplain said. But he did use the metaphor of the sea to develop his central message that life, like sailing a boat, is about steering a course between the equally damaging extremes of violent storm and listless

Roger Booth Liveryman

doldrums. He also made the point that, in the book of Genesis, water is the first evidence of God’s creative intent. He invited us to consider the existential question: why something and not nothing? The address was challenging.

After a further hymn and the national anthem the service concluded with the new officers and clergy leaving the church in formal procession while the organ played the Company march. It subsequently transpired, unbeknownst to all, that the Organist (John Keys from St Mary’s Church in Nottingham) directs the choir where the Master’s son in law started his musical career.

Reassembled at Carpenters’ Hall, we proceeded up the formal staircase to be greeted by the new Master and Mistress and sample the excellent champagne. Then it was time to file into the restrained elegance of the main hall, by now over 120 members and guests, to enjoy trout tart followed by lamb breast and a pear and almond frangipane. The Wine Committee had worked its customary alchemy, putting before us the Mâcon Solutré, mature Médoc from Château Lanessan and a Madeira.

He mentioned, too, Past Master Peter Fuller, Father of the Company, who became a liveryman in 1954. Indeed most of the Master’s words were about people. He saw the Company as a family of professionals and stressed the importance of building multi generational pillars, the most notable being the Fuller and Bird families. Given the number of Causers in the room this struck me as anything but an idle threat!

By chance, Marijke and I sat next to Honorary Freeman Richard Townend, Director of Music at St Margaret Lothbury, whom I shamelessly pumped for help with this article. In response to my question how a chamber choir could sound so loud in such a large space, I was met with a knowing smile.

When Wren built the church after the Great Fire, he found time to design above the choir a suspended canvas ceiling, covered in plaster. It is still there. The canvas vibrates to the choir’s voices, so acting as an amplifier. A truly cunning plan.

Richard left to accompany from the piano the Master’s toasts to King and Royal Family.

Court Assistant David Williams in turn proposed toasts to our guests, not least to our host, the Master Carpenter Dr Allen Zimbler, and to the Rt Hon Sir David Bean, an old college friend of the Master and now a judge in the Court of Appeal. He also welcomed our presentee at Christ’s Hospital School, Kiyan Rahman, attending his first T&B event, together with Sam Bushell from the school.

Sir David stood to speak for the guests.

He began by declaring that he had never laid a brick in his life and didn’t plan to start now. It went downhill from there, a mature take on the best man’s speech which had the Company rolling in the aisles. Over the revelations concerning the Master we draw a discreet veil. Sir David also found time to provide a thoroughly serious thumbnail account of a senior judge’s life. A debate between Sir David and the Chaplain would, I imagine, be memorable.

The Master’s final thanks were to our caterers, the Wine Committee, Liveryman Rex Levi, the outgoing Senior Steward and, last but assuredly not least, the Learned Clerk. Wishing all a safe journey home, and to the accompaniment of the indefatigable Richard Townend, he then led high table out of the hall.

The beauty of church and choir, the rhythm of custom, fine things on the table and, amid the laughter and good fellowship, more than one occasion for a moment’s thoughtfulness: the day had been a wonderful start to a promising year.

After Liveryman Nicholas North proposed the customary toast to our Company, the Master stood to a resounding cheer. He thanked the Master Carpenter, Sir David and Professor Susan Castillo Street. He rightly praised the Lothbury Singers, the Chaplain and Richard Townend. It was a great honour to be elected Master but thanks to his predecessor, Deputy Master John Schofield, the Company was in good health with a significant number of new members.

The 2023-24 Team

Jenny Rolls Upper Warden

Christopher Causer Master

Alan Dodd Renter Warden

www.tylersandbricklayers.co.uk

7

Reflection It has been a huge honour to serve the Worshipful Company of Tylers and Bricklayers as its 441st recorded Master during this Coronation year – and what a year we have had.

In October 2022, I set out the theme for my year as ‘Engaging, Educating, Enabling’. We have made progress in each area, illustrated by the establishment of our new bursary scheme for apprentices and our new Royal Navy Liaison Group. In addition, our Craft Awards and our support for the Royal Engineers, the Army Cadet Force, Livery Schools Link, Skill Build UK and the Lord Mayor’s show, together with the wide range of our charitable donations, all contribute to these aims.

Despite watching previous Masters over many years, nothing quite prepares an

Prof John Schofield Immediate Past Master incoming Master for the number of invitations they receive. Separately or together, the Mistress and I will have attended well over 200 events. New networks of friends emerge, and friendships between Masters (and between Consorts) develop and will live on for many years to come.

At the end of their year, each Master reflects on what has been achieved. I can report that despite a global financial downturn and rising costs, the Company is in a sound position.

We have been able to maintain our charitable giving to a wide range of institutions, and one of my most treasured moments was handing over a cheque to the Headmaster of Christ’s Hospital School.

There are so many high points in the year.

The list includes the Installation and Carol services at St Margaret Lothbury; the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the Royal Navy to affiliate with HMS Magpie and a visit to pilot the ship in Pembrokeshire (see the article on Magpie in this Review); the visit to Skill Build in Edinburgh over three days; the Army Cadet Awards at RAF Museum Hendon; our Craft Visit to RSME, Chatham; Charter Day in Greenwich; and attendance with the Mistress at the Buckingham Palace garden party to greet our King just before his coronation.

The Annual Dinner at Drapers’ Hall with Sheriff Andrew Marsden as our guest was a special experience, with rosewater bowls and wonderful music, as was our visit to the Reform Club where I have spent many happy hours. The Carol Service at St Margaret Lothbury with supper at Armourers’ Hall was a great success, and every event has exemplified ‘good fellowship’. I am grateful to

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many people but especially the Clerk and the Mistress, without whom these events would not have happened.

Two achievements this year relate to ‘treasures’. Firstly, the re-acquisition of the missing pair of silver pudding trowels from 1770, now reunited with the third which remained in our possession. Secondly, the acquisition of a silver fob seal bearing the Company’s armorials in relief, dated 1792, perhaps used by the Clerk to seal Company documents. These are important parts of the Company’s heritage, and I am delighted that they are back where they belong. See the photographs later in this Review!

I would like to thank all the members of the Company for their engagement over the last year. The Company is well over 600 years old and numbers 37 in the order of precedence, but its strength is in its current and future membership. I am pleased to report that 11 new members joined the Company this year, bringing our total membership to 205.

I have had wonderful support from the Wardens and other members of the Court. I would also like to thank our Clerk, Honorary Chaplain, Almoner, Director of Music and Beadle, and our Stewards, some of whom are retiring at the end of this year.

It gives me great pleasure to hand the baton to Chris Causer, who I have known for many years. We are very lucky to have Chris and Gilly as Master and Mistress, and I am sure we have a wonderful year ahead.

It is a rare and special privilege to represent the Worshipful Company of Tylers and Bricklayers as Master. May the Company flourish, root and branch forever.

est.

1985

WINCHMORE BRICKWORK complete brickwork management service

This is Winchmore Brickwork Winchmore Brickwork is a North London based brickwork contractor established in 1985. The Winchmore Brickwork team is headed by Tony Yianni the Managing Director and owner of the business, who has managed the company’s growth from the ‘scaffold to the boardroom’ for over 30 years. With a long-standing track record of working closely with blue chip contractors across London and the South East, Winchmore Brickwork delivers not only outstanding service but a willingness to offer their complete expertise.

Involvement in the design, planning and logistics enables us to advise our clients on the most efficient construction processes – saving them time and money. It is this expertise and desire to work as partners with our clients that sets a standard for the level of service we offer and ensures the strength of our relationship with our clients. We are proud of our long-standing reputation and continue to earn the trust, confidence and respect of our wide range of clients.

Traditional Values I am proud to be born and raised in a City with such a proud history in the traditional methods of bricklaying. Traditional brick built buildings define the London landscape.

I feel this landscape drew me into the trade. Winchmore Brickwork trades on my passion for bricklaying. Through a sensibly managed growth structure, we have developed a significant portfolio of blue chip clients with dozens of key London projects and excellent references. Our commitment to training over the years is one we are particularly proud of. The needs and benefits of investing and developing in skills in our trade is an obvious one. To this end and as part of marking our thirtieth year in business we were pleased to announce the rolling out of our bricklaying development centre.

Our London based initiative involves Winchmore Brickwork’s three key training facilities and several local schools and councils. Adding to our existing apprenticeship scheme, we hope to be providing additional training in our trade for a significant number of students each year, calling on our more experienced bricklayers to pass on specific key skills, “tricks of the trade” and of course their love for the craft. Key to the success of the programme is a steady flow of work from our clients. It is our hope that together with our concerned clients, we can ensure that this skill base is developed and available to fulfill the requirements of our industry well into the future together as numerous other benefits to the labour market.

Charity Report “Second only to support for the crafts of tiling and bricklaying, wherein lie the origins of the Company, charity has been and is a raison d’etre. This was a major function of the medieval fraternities, misteries and guilds of the City of London, whereby almshouses, schools and hospitals were founded and individual members of a guild relied on the charity of their fellows if necessary.” (They Built London by Dr Penelope Hunting 2016) While the Company no longer has any almshouses, its three Charitable Trusts fit very nicely with Penny Hunting’s description.

They are the general Charitable Trust, the Craft Trust and the Relief in Need Charity.

Each one is separately registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales.

The three charities have, as their names suggest, different objectives. The Charitable Trust, as can be seen below, gives grants to a range of good causes. Each year the Trustees meet to determine a number of annually recurring grants and one-off donations. A number of grants are given over three years.

This rolling programme helps small charities to plan and budget over a longer period which, in turn, can help both their efficiency and effectiveness.

Founded by John Peck, a Clerk of the Company (1971-1985), the Relief in Need Charity was set up initially to provide pensions to senior Liverymen who find themselves in difficult financial circumstances. More broadly, it exists to relieve Liverymen and Freemen of the Company or widows of Liverymen and Freemen of the Company, their children, and certain other qualifying persons who are in conditions of need, hardship or distress. All applications are treated as confidential.

The Charitable Trust and Relief in Need Charity share the same three Trustees in Past Masters Tom Rider, Lesley Day and Roger Westbrook CMG. The Craft Trustees also give annually recurring and one-off grants to more specialised craft and heritage related charitable organisations. The Craft Trustees are Past Master David Cole-Adams, Richard Holden, Bob Howard MBE, Past Master Jeff Fuller and Renter Warden in Nomination David White. Uniquely, the incoming Chairman of the Craft Committee is invited to become a Trustee. To this end, the Trustees welcome Court Assistant Ian Wilson as he takes on this responsibility.

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Alan Dodd Renter Warden

The Charitable Trust: Christ’s Hospital Appeal and more good news – a fourth Presentee!

The Trustees went on to approve the following grants for the year from 30 September 2023:

The last annual Review in October 2022 highlighted the amazing success of the Christ’s Hospital Appeal. Articles and photographs included news of the Company’s fantastic financial support, as well as Past Master David Szymanski’s LEJOG cycle ride and the donations from individual members of the Company who sponsored him. The appeal culminated in the presentation of a cheque for £36,600 for our third Presentee at Christ’s Hospital School. There is even better news. Past Master Lesley Day, who chaired the Appeal Committee, visited the School in March and, along with Past Masters David Szymanski and Tom Rider, presented another cheque. This time it was for £38,790, a sum that secures a place for our fourth Presentee.

The Tylers and Bricklayers’ Charitable Trust: annually recurring grants

The Charitable Trust and Craft Trust: new banking arrangements As Honorary Treasurer I am pleased to report that the Trusts’ banking arrangements have been streamlined and modernised.

For a number of years the Company has banked with C. Hoare & Co, a successful arrangement and one that has provided a number of facilities. The Charitable Trust and the Craft Trust accounts have recently moved to C. Hoare & Co and now have access to online and telephone banking, services that were not available from the former bankers. On behalf of the Trustees, I am grateful to everyone in the Company who donates by standing order for their patience while the changes took place. Should any reader wish to know more about setting up a standing order in favour of any or all of the charitable trusts, or if you have experienced any difficulties, please do not hesitate to contact Alan Dodd, the Honorary Secretary and Treasurer, for assistance.

The Tylers and Bricklayers Charitable Trust At their last meeting held in July 2023, the Honorary Secretary and Treasurer advised the Trustees that, including the donation to Christ’s Hospital School, the total of all grants given by the Charitable Trust up to that date amounted to £58,140.

• The Lord Mayor’s Appeal • The Master’s nomination • St Paul’s Cathedral Foundation • The Brunswick Youth Club Trust • The Church of St Margaret Lothbury • The Guildhall School of Music and Drama • The Clergy Support Trust • City of London School for Girls: Noreen Dickins prizes • City of London School (for Boys): Noreen Dickins prizes • City of London Freemen’s School: Noreen Dickins prizes • City of London Police Widows’ and Orphans’ Fund • St Paul’s Cathedral School (COLET) • St Paul’s Cathedral School: Martin Fund prizes • Royal Engineers Cadets London area prizes • ABF The Soldiers’ Charity: the Lord Mayor’s Big Curry Lunch • Guildhall Library & London Metropolitan Archive • London’s Air Ambulance Charity • The Sheriffs’ & Recorder’s Fund • Royal Engineers Cadets Open Day Sponsorship • Trustees of the United Guilds’ Service • Royal British Legion Garden of Remembrance The Trustees approved the following one-off donations: • Canterbury Cathedral • The College of Arms • St Vincent’s Catholic Primary School – Westminster • HMS Magpie The Trustees approved an annual prize to be awarded by the Commanding Officer of HMS Magpie to the most deserving crew member.

The Trustees approved the following four charities to receive funding on an annual basis for each of the next three years: • Inspire a Teen • London Hearts • Resolve Now • British Red Cross Society The Trustees approved the second of a threeyear grant to: • BEDE • No Going Back • London City Farms • Respite Association

The Trustees approved the third of a threeyear grant to:

The Trustees approved the following annually recurring grants:

• Tower Hamlets Mission

• The Prince’s Foundation

• Maggie’s Barts

• YouthBuild UK

• Kol Bonaich

• Ironbridge Gorge Museum (The Jackfield Tile Museum)

• Blind Veterans UK The Tylers and Bricklayers’ Craft Trust The Trustees met in August 2023 to review their grant giving and to consider applications.

The Trustees approved the following one-off donations: • Kate Longworth, Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings – Fellowship Bursary • The National Portrait Gallery – Mosaic Restoration Fund • St Mungo’s

• Weald and Downland Open Air Museum • Bursledon Brickworks Museum • St Edmunds Society Bricklaying Prize • The Building Crafts College In closing, on behalf of all the beneficiaries, the Trustees extend their thanks to all Freemen and Liverymen who have supported the Tylers and Bricklayers’ Charitable Trusts.

For more information about any aspect of charitable giving or if you have any questions, please contact Renter Warden Alan Dodd, Honorary Secretary and Treasurer to the Charitable Trusts. charities@tylersandbricklayers.co.uk

Anglian Brickwork continue in their third decade of proudly achieving excellence in brickwork. We continue to maintain over 70% repeat business with our valued clients, featuring in many sectors.

Our extremely talented and devoted skilled artisans expand the boundaries of masonry, which illustrates the pride they show in all they do.

The emphasis on sustainability shines through, illustrated by our radical training schemes where we engage retired masons to act as mentors for the next generation of bricklayers. Another example of our approach to sustainability is by allocating supervisors to projects that are closer to their homes thus reducing travelling times and carbon emissions. Our use of natural hydraulic lime emphasises our drive to reduce the use of cement, mirrored by our use of British clay bricks and clay blocks.

Supervisors have all undertaken extensive sustainability coaching, which has resulted in them achieving Site Environmental Awareness Training certification.

Our aim to reduce carbon footprints generally is illustrated by our success in completing almshouses and student housing constructed to ‘passivhaus’ standards. This is one of the most energy efficient structures to be built and is appreciated by clients and residents alike.

In the city of Cambridge, a common sight will be our bricklayers travelling to their respective College projects by bicycle – thus reducing emissions.

This year’s projects for Anglian Brickwork include two passivhaus schemes, five Cambridge College works, two school projects and a private chapel for an internationally acclaimed Suffolk based singer – variety is the spice of our life.

We are fortunate to be highly regarded by our main contractor clients and have been given ‘craftsmen of the year’ awards by Wates Construction, Balfour Beatty and Kier. This recognition extends to the ‘Oscars’ of the brick industry, the BDA Brick Awards, where we were once again acknowledged as being amongst the leading specialist contractors and upholders of excellence in sustainability.

Passivhaus scheme in Girton, Cambridge, providing almshouses.

The dynamic management team is proudly led by Court Assistant Ian Wilson and his daughter Liveryman Charlotte Pienaar, the popular choice when quality, environmental values and dependability are sought.

Anglian Brickwork is pleased to support the Review.

www.tylersandbricklayers.co.uk

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Tile Museum by the River Scheldt Many of our Livery will be familiar with the remarkable Jackfield Tile Museum in Ironbridge. Marijke and I were fascinated by the range and quality of design on offer when we visited for the first time during the Livery Craft event last year. I suspect many members will be less aware – as was I until I recently started digging – that there are a number of other tile museums elsewhere in Europe, notably in Belgium, France, Germany and The Netherlands. This article provides a short introduction to the Belgian museum, Tegelmuseum Hemiksem, located in a former abbey 30 minutes South of Antwerp by the River Scheldt and under three hours drive from Calais. It is open from I July until 30 September Wednesday to Sunday from 2 to 5 pm: otherwise at the same time on the first Sunday of the month. Entry is free.

To my surprise, the Tegelmuseum has a link, albeit brief and indirect, to a style of English pottery.

The Museum dates from 1988, ten years after the closure of the Gilliot factory which had been in operation nearby since the last years of the nineteenth century. The Museum

was originally housed in three large rooms in the complex of the Saint Bernard Abbey, Hemiksem, the first display drawn largely from the Gilliot factory showroom and most tiles designed by a certain Joseph Roelants.

Roelants was Flemish but during the First World War worked in Bournemouth in the aircraft industry. Remarkably, he also designed tiles for Carter Pottery which later became known as Poole Pottery. Amongst other places on the Web, if you scroll to the bottom of the home page and select ‘A Potted History’ (ouch!) there is further interesting detail at: https://www.studiopoole.co.uk/ Roelants returned to Belgium to join Gilliot’s at war’s end. He reached the height of his fame at the 1935 Brussels World Fair, working on after retirement in 1946 as an independent ceramics designer within the factory until the late 1950’s shortly before his death. The Tegelmuseum in Hemiksem was initially named the Roelants Museum after the Gilliot factory’s most famous son.

In 2009 the Museum was renamed the Gilliot & Roelants Tegelmuseum as a conscious effort to broaden its scope. The decision by an Italian Roberto Pozzo to donate his lifetime collection of 9,000 tiles to the King Baudouin Foundation in 2016 marked a step change in the Museum’s development.

Because close to a third of the collection had been manufactured in the Gilliot factory the Foundation awarded administration of the Pozzo Collection to the Hemiksem Museum which in 2019 added a new wing. Meanwhile

Carol Service and Supper On 15 Dec 2022 those who had confirmed they were attending the Carol Service had received advice from Heather that it would be chilly in the church due to the exceptionally cold weather and the old heating system.

With time to spare before the service, my wife and I decided that some fortification in the Tokenhouse pub just around the corner would be a sensible precaution and upon entering it seemed that most of those who had attended the Court meeting had the same idea. After a convivial drink we walked along to the church suitably prepared.

Despite spending time in the City over the years I had never entered St Margaret’s before and thus my first T&B Carol Service provided a good opportunity to experience the church. Traditional carols were sung by the congregation by candlelight and the cold air caused vapour trails as we sang, which combined with the nativity scene and other

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decorations in the church to create a truly festive atmosphere.

Carol singing was interspersed with six lessons culminating in the birth of Jesus which were read by the Clerk, Liverymen, Wardens and the Master. The Address was given by the Honorary Chaplain of the Company, the Venerable Dr Jonathan Smith. In his interesting address he explored the meaning of love. Jonathan was appointed as our new Chaplain at the June Court meeting and I had the pleasure of sitting next to him during the excellent lunch in the impressive Armourers’ Hall on that day.

We were most fortunate to have the Lothbury Singers, under the direction of Honorary Freeman Richard Townend, attend the service who provided beautiful choral accompaniment to all the carols and to everyone’s enjoyment sang some solo pieces too.

Roger Booth Liveryman the Foundation digitised the Pozzo collection which can be accessed in English as well as in Belgium’s three official languages at: https:// pozzo.collectionkbf.be/ To my untutored eye the results are mesmerising.

Further background information concerning the Museum, its development and direct Collection is available in English on the Museum’s own website: https:// gilliottegelmuseum.be/the-museum/?lang=en Needless to say, there are many wonderful things to see in Antwerp itself which are beyond the scope of this brief article. Marijke and I agree that the two absolute must-see’s are the Cathedral and the Grote Markt. Normally we would add the Rubenshuis museum but this is undergoing expansion and restoration. It is due to re-open in stages from 2024.

In the meantime, my favourite local beer is De Koninck and brewery tours are available.

By way of balance, Marijke points out that the shops offer achingly much to those so inclined. A more dispassionate guide to Antwerp can be found at: https://visit. antwerpen.be/en

Wayne Sheppard Liveryman The service concluded with the Blessing, a beautiful rendition of Stille Nacht by the choir and a rousing version of Hark! The Herald Angels Sing by all assembled.

As we walked away from the church to go to Armourers’ Hall for a buffet supper, several Liverymen told me that for them Christmas didn’t begin until the T&B Carol Service, which perhaps explains why it was so well attended.

On reaching Armourers’ Hall the opportunity to warm up whilst enjoying a glass of remarkably good Crémant was most welcome. We then moved into the main hall and enjoyed an excellent seated buffet accompanied by some fine wines and a suitably festive and jolly atmosphere.

All concluded the evening had been a very fine start to Christmas.

The Company’s Treasures – an insight into a glamorous past During the year, the Company with the support of the Master John Schofield has acquired three items of ancient Company silver which provide an insight into a period of considerable affluence and influence for the Company.

The first two items are a pair of 18th century silver serving or pudding trowels, identical to the trowel already in the Company’s collection; together they make up the original set presented to the Company in 1770 by the Master and Wardens of that year. Penelope Hunting’s book They Built London indicates that the two trowels had been sold by the Company at auction in 1996; when spotted at the Olympia Winter Antiques Fair in 2022 by a friend of Past Master Ian Grimshaw, the trowels were quickly secured with provision from the Treasures Fund, matched by a very generous donation from the Master. A set of identical trowels of this quality is very unusual and the set has recently been displayed at Company functions.

The formal description of the trowels in the Company’s Schedule of Treasures reads as follows: Three silver pudding trowels, each handle with plain centre, feather edge border, at the top a formal ornament of arabesque design, the blades pierced and engraved with scroll and floral ornament enclosed by narrow border engraved with leaves, on the reverse side is engraved the Arms of the Company.

On the back of the handles the following inscription: “1770 The Gift of Mr Henry Wallis, Master, Mr Henry Holland, Upper Warden, Mr John Watkins, Renter Warden”.

Made in London, date 1770, by William Plummer, weight 18oz.

William Plummer was a leading London silversmith in the latter part of the eighteenth century, with premises on Gutter and Foster Lanes, near Goldsmiths’ Hall. Plummer specialised in high quality pierced silver pieces, with several of his works now in the V&A collection.

Plummer was also responsible for the series of livery medals struck for the Company in 1771 to celebrate Liveryman Sir William Plomer’s (no relation) election as an Alderman (he subsequently became Lord Mayor). Two of these livery medals are in the Company’s possession and look as new as the day they were made, named for Robert Bender who joined the Livery in 1757 and John Moreland in 1771. Perhaps surprisingly, another item of Plummer’s silver was to be Sir Winston and Lady Churchill’s 1937 wedding gift to the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. That piece sold for $107,000 at Sotheby’s 1998 auction of the Duchess’s effects – a very high price, but at the same auction a three inch piece of their 1937 wedding cake sold for $29,900!

One of the Wardens who commissioned the trowels was Henry Holland, who came from a family connected with the Company since 1627 and who subsequently became Master in 1772. Holland owned a brickfield in Fulham and was a business partner of Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown. His son Henry married Capability Brown’s daughter, Bridget. Henry Holland Senior engaged in several prestigious building projects around St James’s and

Tom Christopherson Court Assistant Pall Mall, as well as at Somerset House and Bowood House in Wiltshire. He also built the first Battersea Bridge. Henry Holland started the development (completed by Henry Holland Junior) of what is now Cadogan Place and Sloane Square, with the younger Henry going on to design Brooks’s Club, Carlton House and the first Brighton Pavilion.

The third item from this period to come back to the Company is a rare George III fob silver seal, which bears the arms of the Company, made by silversmiths Phipps and Robinson in London in 1793. The seal has been donated to the Company by the Master John Schofield.

While it is possible that a liveryman could have had the seal made to adorn his watch chain, it seems unlikely that he would have been authorised to use the Company’s seal.

Perhaps it is more likely that the seal was the property of the Clerk of the day, James Kebbell Senior, or was made for the Masters in that year, Edward Glanville and James Robinson. Research into the archives might reveal whether this very small seal was indeed used by the Company.

The silver trowels, fob silver seal and silver livery badges come from a time of considerable influence for the Company in the wider City. The expansion and redevelopment of London through the 18th century brought lucrative opportunities for Tylers and Bricklayers, as it was to do in the next century.

With reference to They Built London by Penelope Hunting and other sources.

www.tylersandbricklayers.co.uk

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The Tylers and Bricklayers’ Mystery in LA Lurking in the storage facility of the fabled Los Angeles County Museum of Art (often referred to as ‘LACMA’) is a 17th century embroidered cabinet, a tabletop box very typical of the period. These boxes, cabinets and caskets, were often worked by early modern English girls at the end of their needlework education. Embroidered boxes like this one have doors and lids that open via keys, mirrors, hand-coloured prints, with drawers and secret compartments that once held a girl’s writing supplies, perfumes, toys and precious objects.

The top of the box is a lid which had not been opened in the 40 years since it had been in LACMA’s collection, and possibly for many years before that as its key had been lost.

Several months ago, a keen visitor studying the museum’s cabinets and caskets had a 3D key printed and curators used the key to open the cabinet’s lid. There they found a brightly coloured, glittering coat of arms.

I was contacted by Rachel Tu, LACMA’s Associate Collections Manager of Costume and Textiles, because I had interned at the

Isabella Rosner

museum in the past and they were aware of my love of 17th century embroidery and coats of arms. I identified the coat of arms inside the cabinet as belonging to the Worshipful Company of Tylers and Bricklayers. The embroidery shows arms of ‘Azure, a chevron Or, in chief a fleur-de-lys argent between two brick-axes palewise Or, in base a brush also Or’ and a crest of ‘a wreath Or and azure, A dexter arm embowed vested party per pale Or and gules cuffed argent, holding in the hand proper a brick-axe Or. Mantled gules, doubled argent’. The crest and the brick-axes, fleurs-de-lis, brush and chevron of the arms are worked in gold threads. Underneath this, also in gold threads, is the motto ‘IN GOD IS ALL OUR TRUST’.

The inclusion of the coat of arms illustrates that the embroidered cabinet was somehow associated with the Company. But who made it and when?

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I surmise it was made by a teenaged girl, the daughter or sister of someone involved in the Company. The stitching suggests it was made by a girl learning to stitch rather than a professional. The inclusion of a set of initials, reading ‘AN’, near the interior keyhole also makes an amateur stitcher more likely than a professional, as professionals almost never signed or initialled their work. Though it was possible the young embroiderer of this box worked it in the home, it is more likely she made it while a student at school.

The inclusion of the Company’s coat of arms implies that the stitcher attended school somewhere in the City of London or its environs. In the 17th century, Hackney was the centre of education for well-off girls, with Chelsea, Stepney, Deptford and Marylebone amongst other sites of female schooling.

The imagery and stitchery of the LACMA cabinet differs from that of other 17th century needlework made in Hackney, which suggests this object was made elsewhere. It was likely made by a schoolgirl either as a gift to a father or brother, or to the Company on his behalf.

The shape of the cabinet suggests it was made circa 1660, though it could have been made anytime between 1650 and 1675.

Could this cabinet have been made in 1668, for the 100th anniversary of the Company’s royal charter? Perhaps, or maybe it was made for a father advancing to a position of leadership within the Company.

It is possible the cabinet was embroidered by the daughter or sister of any number of men involved in the Company with surnames beginning with ‘N’. These include generations of Norfolckes, Needlers, Nicholls, Norrises, Nortons and Netheways. Further research will be undertaken to see if any of these individuals had sisters or daughters whose first name began with ‘A’ and who were teenaged in the period 1650-1675.

I theorise that the cabinet was made by a daughter of Thomas Norfolcke, who was heavily involved in the Company and who was Master in 1662-1663. He is the only Master with a surname beginning with ‘N’ in the relevant time period (the other one being Robert Needler, who was Master too early for this box). Whether or not this was the work of Norfolcke’s daughter may be determined by studying his will, which will be the next step in my research on the object.

By permission, LACMA Unfortunately, combing through the Company records from the 17th century has revealed very little. The records that would have most likely held such information have sadly been lost – the Master and Wardens’ Account Book of 1631-1657 provides an annual listing of every object present in every room of Tylers’ and Bricklayers’ Hall, something which does not occur in the 16871751 Account Book. It is likely that, if the cabinet was given to the Company for display in the Hall, this would have happened after 1657 and perhaps was recorded but only in account books that do not survive.

The discovery of a coat of arms in this embroidered cabinet is thrilling, not only because it survives in such stunning condition, but also because it links the object to a specific time, place and (possibly) person. It is the only known embroidered box to have a Livery company’s coat of arms stitched on it.

Isabella Rosner is a PhD student at King’s College London studying 17th Century needlework, following internships and positions at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the Fitzwilliam Museum.

Treasures of Gold and Silver Wire

The Guildhall Art Gallery is hosting an exhibition of exquisite craftsmanship celebrating the quatercentenary of the Worshipful Company of Gold and Silver Wyre Drawers. This unique and dazzling display of unique and invaluable robes, uniforms, costumes, jewellery and embroidery is gathered from Royalty, the Arts, Military, Ecclesiastical and Civil sources.

It provides a memorable feast for the senses, over 200 amazing items brought together to celebrate the beauty and splendour in the use of gold and silver wire.

T&B Members are urged to visit particularly if planning to attend the Lord Mayor’s Show.

This unique City of London exhibition closes soon on 12 November 2023. Entrance £10 with concessions. www.thecityofldn.com/ event/treasures-of-gold-and-silver-wire

www.tylersandbricklayers.co.uk

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Craft Bursary Scheme An Idea was Born At the start of each livery year the Craft Committee submits a Forward Plan to the Court that sets out its major objectives for the year. The 2021-2022 Plan included the following goal: “Develop and bring to the Court a proposal for the Company to support up to three apprentice craftsmen (three trades) to undertake a recognised trade training course, including working with trade associations and other bodies to find suitable candidates, and identifying possible trade sponsorship.” This objective was approved by the Court in September 2021 and it was then that the real work for the Craft Committee began.

Down a Rabbit Hole Before they could determine the precise nature of the support we wanted to offer apprentices, the Craft Committee felt that the Livery needed to understand fully the apprenticeship landscape and undertook to complete a market research exercise. What the Committee initially thought would be a fairly straightforward task rapidly turned into a major piece of work, and they found themselves falling into a rabbit hole. Every avenue of research led somewhere new, uncovering new organisations doing new things, all in the name of apprenticeships and training. It also became apparent that heritage crafts were significantly undersupported and that it would be important to incorporate these specialisations into any proposals. They were also surprised to learn the extent of Government funding, either directly or via its many quangos, that was available to employers who wished to engage apprentices, and started to question if we could add any tangible value to the apprenticeship landscape.

Clear Water in Sight The information gathered was rationalised and discussed by the Craft Committee over 12 months. It became clear that the only way in which the goal could be delivered to

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David White Renter Warden in Nomination

the direct benefit of the apprentice, rather than the employer, was through a structured bursary scheme. The key components of a successful bursary scheme were established as follows: OBJECTIVE • To provide annual financial support to each deserving candidate undertaking recognised craft training in our crafts.

COST • Bursaries of £1,000 to be awarded to approved candidates annually, on a oncein-a-lifetime basis.

FUNDING • Various sources of funding were identified.

These included The Craft Trust and our industry partners, one of whom, the Brick Development Association, has already provided a generous donation.

LIVERY UNDERTAKINGS • To provide the funding: a single lump sum paid at the start of the training course.

• To provide a dedicated Mentor from within its membership who will support the student throughout their training and provide quarterly updates to the Craft Committee.

• To invite the candidates to the annual Craft Awards Lunch as guests of the Company.

RECIPIENT UNDERTAKINGS • To complete their training or refund the bursary.

• To promote and interact positively with the Company.

• To interact with their Mentor and provide regular updates on their progress.

TIMINGS • September to December: funding secured for the following year.

• From January: availability of bursaries advertised on the Company website and to selected colleges.

• 1 April: scheme open to applications.

• 30 June: scheme closed to applications.

• July and August: applications vetted and approved.

• Trustees of the relevant Company charitable trust approve bursary recipients at the annual trustee meeting in August, or September Court Meeting approves bursary recipients and instructs payments.

Approval In Principle The Craft Committee’s research and recommendations were presented to the Court in September 2022. They were well received and meaningful discussions during the meeting led to a unanimous approval in principle of the proposal. The Court agreed that the next step would be to establish an implementation plan, scheme documentation and sustainable funding sources, and then

revert to the Court in December 2022 for final ratification.

Advertising and Promotion It was decided that in the first year the Company would rely upon its relationships with training centres throughout the country to raise awareness of and promote the initiative amongst their trainees. It was further agreed that the Company website would become the main advertising and resource centre for the new Craft Bursary Scheme.

Application Criteria The Court wanted the scheme to be as inclusive as possible and welcome trainees and apprentices from both the mainstream and heritage arms of our crafts. It was important to recognise that many craftsmen may wish to transition from mainstream activities into heritage specialities during their careers, and that there should not therefore be an age limit on eligibility.

GDPR In our modern times we must be acutely aware of our obligations under GDPR legislation and as we would be collecting personal information from applicants, it became necessary to seek advice and react accordingly. This was achieved magnificently via our network of Liverymen from the legal profession who deserve many thanks for their meticulous attention to detail and concise advice.

Selection Criteria

applications.

Stage 2 – The Trade Mentors conduct Zoom interviews with potential candidates and produce a shortlist of worthy recipients.

Stage 3 – A final list of recipients is prepared by the Craft Bursary Selection Board.

Stage 4 – The list is presented at the September Court Meeting for ratification.

Green Light Armed with their implementation plan, the Craft Committee returned to the Court in December 2022 and presented their proposals. The Court considered the impact of implementing the scheme and felt unequivocally that it would be of quantifiable benefit to trainees and apprentices in our crafts and gave it the green light.

All Systems Go The Craft Committee set to work producing a flyer that could be distributed to colleges and training centres together with an application form that accurately reflected the information required to make a fair appraisal of all applications. Our in-house team of legal eagles helped with wording, GDPR and terms and conditions so that everything was lawful, fair and enforceable.

The scheme opened for entries on 1 April and 23 applications were received. The Trade Mentors interviewed six people. The Craft Bursary Selection Board selected five successful applicants who were approved by the Court and then notified.

Much thought was given to this important component of the scheme and a four-stage process was agreed that was fair for all applicants and compliant with the Company’s Standing Orders. It would require the formation of an independent selection board and recruitment of trade mentors from within the Company. The process was as follows:

This Year’s Recipients

Stage 1 – A desktop review of all entries is undertaken by the new Craft Bursary Selection Board to eliminate erroneous

Roof Slating and Tiling: Fraser Cameron from South Lanarkshire College and Ryan Clark from Optimum Skills Gateshead

The recipients of the first Bursary Awards were: Bricklaying: Ryan Marsh from Hertfordshire Regional College, Ryan Cox from the Building Crafts College and Fahim Abdul from Optimum Skills Newcastle

Thank You It is difficult to put into words how much hard work and effort, by many of our Liverymen, went into the creation and delivery of this programme. The names are too many to mention here but rest assured, you have all made and will now continue to make a big difference to the lives of many deserving trainees and apprentices. We thank each and every one of you.

www.tylersandbricklayers.co.uk

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What is the Point of the Wine Committee?

As those of you who read the reports of wine critics will know they often award points (some out of 20 and others out of 100) for the wines of each vintage. So, by analogy, how many points would you give the Wine Committee for its performance? What, some of you may even ask, is the point of the Company’s Wine Committee?

According to its terms of reference the Committee’s role is ‘simply’ to ‘determine the wines to be served at Company functions including, where appropriate, through laying down wines for future consumption’. Implicit in this is the responsibility to choose and serve the best possible wines at our functions but at a cost that is affordable and commensurate with alternative suppliers and choices.

I am confident that the Master and every Past Master, including those who would not claim to be connoisseurs of wine, will attest that the range and quality of wines we serve is better than most other Companies of our ilk.

Visiting Masters frequently comment on this, with one recently comparing the T&B wines favourably with those served at a Vintners’ Company event.

How do we achieve this and is the Committee providing good value in relation to the alternatives?

The range and quality of the wines we serve is predicated on the one hand by the Company’s long-term policy of laying down red wines for future consumption and on the other by our strong relationship with Davy’s, our wine merchant. This policy and the attending relationship are inseparable and combine to deliver the wines enjoyed by Livery and guests alike.

Red wines Despite many changes in fashion and attitudes to food, the central feature of any formal luncheon or dinner is still the main course accompanied by a red wine, which may continue to be served until port or madeira is provided for the toasts. For many the red wine will be the highlight of the wines served during an event from the champagne reception onwards. Our red wines are also the wines with highest consumption at our events!

The Wine Committee meets in the early summer each year and with the invaluable help and advice of Davy’s decides whether to purchase wines en primeur, whilst still in the barrel, from the previous year’s harvest.

The decision is based on the quality of the harvest and the price, bearing in mind the Company’s existing stocks and future requirements. Some years the Committee

Philip Parris Past Master decides to buy en primeur wines to lay down and some years it doesn’t. Occasionally wines of an earlier vintage are purchased to lay down because they look better in terms of quality versus price.

By tradition and practice we serve ‘claret’, red wine from Bordeaux, with the main course at our functions. There are, of course, some wonderful red wines from other areas like, for example, Burgundy. But we can’t afford them and for the moment, at least, Bordeaux’s claret wines provide the best value for their quality and, frankly, the prestige they give our Company by being served at functions. Even then, though, we cannot now contemplate a purchase of any but the Cru Bourgeois or equivalent wines at the low-price end of the market.

Red wines bought for laying down are generally not ready for drinking for at least five and maybe 10 or more years later.

When they are drunk they are charged to the function at the cost of each bottle, including the original purchase price and all duty, VAT and storage charges incurred on that parcel of wine. The Committee’s task is to ensure that the Company has sufficient stocks of red wines available, within their recommended drinking dates, for at least five or six years hence.

Good value Does this policy of laying down wines for future drinking provide members with good value?

The answer is yes! I cannot guarantee that every wine is held in our stocks at a cost less than the price at which a single bottle or case could be bought in the market, although on the one or two occasions I have tested it that has proven to be the case by a good margin.

More significantly, a recent replacement cost valuation of our stocks by Davy’s showed a healthy margin over and above our stock costs.

And buying in exactly the same wines as and when required for an event would be impractical even if they were available in the required parcels from a single supplier. With our own stocks we can be sure to have at least sufficient bottles of the chosen wine at a function and return any unused to our stocks for consumption at a later event.

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Other wines The champagne, white wine, dessert wine and port/madeira that we serve are all bought in from Davy’s on a sale or return basis as required, although sometimes a larger parcel of port, madeira or dessert wine will be bought where a bulk purchase makes sense.

Each year a short list of these is agreed by the Wine Committee together with a price per bottle which is discounted because of our overall relationship with Davy’s.

And this is how the Wine Committee strives to ensure that our Company maintains its reputation for the quality of the wines it serves.

Alternative models There are, of course, alternative sources for the supply of wines at livery functions. In practice, though, there is

only one alternative for each function – the chosen caterer. Almost all livery halls now either have their own in-house catering or one or more approved caterers for functions.

The caterer will try to sell a wine ‘package’ alongside the food. In fact they will try to dissuade us from supplying our own Wine Committee wines by charging corkage, to make up for the lost margin on their supply of wines.

So, why don’t we make life easy and just accept the caterer’s offering? The answer is both price and quality.

Caterers will have a series of differently priced wine packages.

At the lowest end the package will include sparkling wine (not champagne) for the reception, with white and red table wines and a glass of port.

The table wines will certainly not include a white burgundy or vintage claret of the quality that we Tylers and Bricklayers serve and, unlike at

our functions, the amount of wine offered to guests will be strictly limited. Prices obviously vary, but this ‘starter’ wine offering for a luncheon or dinner will probably be priced at a minimum of £25+VAT per head.

Let us compare that with our two major functions of the 2022/23 year: Following our October 2022 Installation we enjoyed a champagne reception; over luncheon we served a white burgundy from Chablis, followed by a claret of 2014 vintage and Madeira. The cost to the Company of what we consumed, including corkage, was £18 per attendee.

At our May 2023 Annual Banquet at Drapers’ Hall we enjoyed a champagne reception; then over dinner we served a white burgundy from Macon, a claret of 2015 vintage, a dessert wine from Monbazillac and port – all for a cost of £25.50 per attendee.

Conclusion This analysis, I hope, proves a point: the point of the Company’s longstanding policy of laying down wines for future consumption and its relationship with Davy’s, which together (shrewdly supervised by the Wine Committee) deliver superior wines at our events at the same or even a lower price than the alternative models.

www.tylersandbricklayers.co.uk

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A year in the life – HMS Magpie HMS Magpie is the Royal Navy’s only commissioned Inshore Survey Vessel, and whilst diminutive in size she packs a punch in terms of capability. At 18.5m long and drawing only 1.2m she is small and manoeuvrable enough to get into most maritime nooks and crannies, but stable enough to weather the moody seas typical around the UK coast. Her core workload comprises contribution to the defence of UK Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) by way of detailed hydrographic surveys of our key strategic ports. Whilst this work takes up the bulk of any given year, HMS Magpie remains at readiness year-round to support any short-notice tasking that requires our specialist equipment and skillset. Ultimately, the reasoning behind all we do is this: the better we understand our underwater environment the better we can defend or exploit it when necessary.

Fortunately writing such an article as this for HMS Magpie is relatively straightforward due to the predictable annual Refit-RegenerateOperate-Recover cycle she has sustained since commissioning in 2018. This year started no differently to others, and most of January was spent out of the water in refit at Mashfords Boatyard, Cornwall. The aim of the winter refit is to ensure the boat is safe and fit for another year of survey operations but it also presents an opportunity to make some adjustments in response to ship’s company suggestions, whether to improve habitability or operational effectiveness.

The ship was lowered back into the water in late January and commenced a short period of Regeneration to prepare both the vessel and her crew for the work that will dominate the rest of year. Regeneration starts with getting the crew back up to speed after over a month

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ashore, and then involves a series of external assessments to confirm that the vessel is safe to operate, being operated safely and that both kit and crew can deliver the operational output required. Regeneration this year proceeded smoothly but a persistent defect on the Multi Beam Echo Sounder (MBES) added some frustrating complications.

Following a week of refresher training at the UK Hydrographic Office Magpie was re-docked in mid-March to enable inspection and refurbishment of the MBES transducer prior to several weeks of sea trials to confirm restoration of performance.

Then followed a short period of early Easter Leave before deployment and commencement of the Operational phase.

Immediately upon departing from Plymouth we made a short detour east to pay a visit to our affiliated town of Salcombe, where we spent a few days hosting visits from primary schools and other local groups. Once complete we found a gap in the weather and made the long transit round to Milford Haven which was to be our home for the next three months.

Milford Haven’s strategic importance to the UK is due to the presence of a large amount of energy infrastructure, currently hydrocarbon-based, but this will increasingly include the bringing ashore of windpower energy generated in the Celtic Sea. It is for this reason that Magpie found herself surveying the port and approaches of this expansive waterway from mid-April to midJuly during a period of favourable weather and sea conditions.

Lt Cdr Hywel Morgan Commanding Officer, HMS Magpie

Having completed the survey and refreshed our knowledge of the area, HMS Magpie transited to Liverpool in late-July to preposition for the next work package and facilitate some leave. Returning refreshed in early August, the team headed over to Bangor, Northern Ireland which is to be home for the next three months.

The period between August and late October will be spent conducting highdefinition hydrographic surveys of the approaches to strategically important ports and installations in Northern Ireland before entering the Recovery phase of the year from November onwards. This will involve relocation of the vessel back to Plymouth, followed by final processing of all collected data and a period of trials so that the performance of the vessel at year end is understood. HMS Magpie will then be docked at Mashfords Boatyard in lateDecember to enter the Refit phase and the cycle will begin anew.

Annual Guest Banquet This year’s Annual Guest Banquet was held at Drapers’ Hall on Thursday 11 May. Originally the home of Thomas Cromwell, Earl of Essex and Chief Minister to Henry VIII, it was forfeited to the Crown upon Cromwell’s execution in 1540 and subsequently bought in 1543 for 1,800 marks or £1,200.

The present Drapers’ Hall has recently reopened after a magnificent refurbishment and now has one of the most elegant interiors in London.

The Hall was filled with over 170 liverymen, freemen, Court members and guests. This was the highest number of attendees for many years, proof that confidence is well and truly back after Covid.

As a continuing celebration following King Charles’ coronation, the guests were greeted by a Carpet Guard of the London Cadets.

We were treated to delightful music from the London Banqueting Ensemble during the champagne reception and the delicious meal which followed. In a change to the usual procession, the Master, Wardens and principal guests came in to the sound of trumpets playing the Company March. A great sound indeed.

Grace was given by the Chaplain, the Ven Dr Jonathan Smith, and the magnificent feast of smoked salmon and crab, Beef Wellington and caramel panna cotta was served with Macon Solutre Domaine Seve 2020, Chateau Caronne St Gemme 2015 and Chateau Fonmourges Monbazillac 2015.

Coffee and petit fours followed, accompanied

by Grahams LBV port. A banquet worthy of a King.

The Master proposed the traditional toasts to the King, Queen Camilla, the Prince and Princess of Wales and the Royal Family; the Lord Mayor, the City of London Corporation and the Sheriffs. This was followed by what was surely one of the highlights of the evening – the Post Horn Gallop; a spectacular surprise enthusiastically greeted by everyone and magnificently performed by horn players from the London Banqueting Ensemble.

In a change to the usual ceremony of the Loving Cup, rosewater bowls were circulated.

Court Assistant Colonel Ian Ogden welcomed our principal guests, Sheriff Andrew Marsden and Mrs Marian Gamble, The Master Apothecary and Dr Gwen Lewis,

Jenny Rolls Renter Warden 2Lt Jessie Broad and 2Lt Michael Van Soest, closing with a toast to all guests.

Sheriff Andrew Marsden, speaking on behalf of the guests, talked about his time as Sheriff, living in such a wonderful place as the Old Bailey. Apparently, he and his future wife, Marian, had to give guided tours only a few days after coming in to office. A great deal of speedy research was done. His amusing speech further noted the work of the Company both past and present, from the Great Fire of London to the present day. Much to the delight of the assembled company, he announced that he was due to marry Marian later in the month at the aptly named church of St Brides. He concluded with a toast to the Company.

Responding to the toast, the Master presented the Sheriff with a copy of They Built London, a history of the Tylers and Bricklayers. The Master highlighted the work of the Company in raising money for presentees to Christ’s Hospital and in arranging bursaries for apprentices to be mentored by senior members of our three crafts: bricklaying, roof slating & tiling and floor & wall tiling.

The Master thanked his wife, Helen, for her support; the Clerk, Heather Smith, for her remarkable organisational skills; the Upper and Renter Wardens and the Beadle, David Wylie. The evening closed with an invitation to join him in a Stirrup Cup. This was a wonderful event, and one which will be remembered for many years to come.

www.tylersandbricklayers.co.uk

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www.tylersandbricklayers.co.uk

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The Company Stewards On arriving at a Tylers and Bricklayers function, it is likely that a person wearing the blue gown of one of the Company’s Stewards will warmly greet you at the door and guide you to the location of the cloakrooms.

Fulfilling an important role, the Company has formally appointed Stewards to assist at functions since 2006. While appointment by the Court to the role of Steward in the Company can rightly be felt an honour, the position also carries considerable responsibility – not least being the willingness to transport one’s gown to and from each function or event where Stewards are required. An establishment of eight is normally available to undertake this duty as, of course, on occasion Stewards may well have partners or guests themselves also attending functions. Full allowance is made for this by having the numerical capacity to roster and rotate the Stewards required to be on duty at any particular event.

So what does a Steward do? The central role is to support the Clerk in the preparation and running of Company functions and events. The Clerk, and indeed the Master, are fully occupied at functions and cannot be everywhere at once. The Stewards, pre-briefed by the Clerk on the details of an event, provide additional and visible manpower to deal with a large number of members and guests and any problems arising. They help manage the function efficiently. After your arrival at a venue and having divested yourself of coats and bags, it is normally a Steward who will direct you to where you and your guests need to

go – or where menus can be picked up with the seating plan for the event. As well as providing this meet and greet for members, Stewards will also watch for the arrival of official Company guests and ensure they are joined up with their designated host.

Another important role, not just at events or functions, is simply being the eyes and ears of the Company; maintaining contact with other members and encouraging attendance at forthcoming events. If hearing of members experiencing difficulty or ill-health, a Steward may be in a position to advise the Almoner.

When appropriate, a Steward may encourage members to introduce suitable candidates for membership. Mindful that some newer members may find difficulty in introducing themselves to fellow members, a Steward can often help integrate these new members into closed groups who may be busily engaged in conversation: this helps us to be known as a famously friendly Company.

Timing is always critical to the smooth running of functions and events, with proceedings needing to start and conclude at prescribed times. Assistance in directing members and guests to where they are supposed to be is always a great help to the Clerk. Often speed is required to turn a room from fulfilling one function to another, with the same room hosting a Court meeting and later a drinks reception. This necessitates moving members out quickly and courteously. Or a Steward may have to guide chatting members and guests, diplomatically, towards the exit at the end of an event.

L-R Stewards Wayne Sheppard, Colin Menzies OBE and Brenda Upton-Kemp, Clerk Heather Smith, Stewards Rex Levi, Diana Malzer and Nicholas North 24

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David Williams Court Assistant and former Steward Quite often formal photography has to be accommodated, taking the least possible time but involving having the right people in the right place. Some of our events take place in church and here the Stewards assume the role of sidesmen, distributing orders of service, directing members and guests to their seats and taking the collection.

From the above it may be seen that there is expectation that Stewards will be able to attend regularly and also be diplomatic, outgoing and personable. There is also great benefit in having Stewards with long service in the Company who therefore know many members by name. These older Stewards will also have years of familiarity with the conduct of our different events.

The Company Stewards come under the oversight of the Renter Warden, who will recommend potential new nominees and advise on re-appointment after a term of three years. The Renter Warden will also convene a social meeting of Stewards each year, which the Clerk attends, at which problems can be discussed or observations made. At events, the Clerk directs the work of the Stewards and gives them any further briefing necessary. As a special privilege, Stewards are traditionally invited to attend any Court Dinners held.

Expected to act sensibly and use initiative, the Stewards are there to help enhance your enjoyment of events. It is hoped this article gives you a better understanding of their purpose, particularly in developing fellowship.

Another Fabulous Craft Awards

Ian Wilson Chairman of the Craft Committee

• Best Cadet was won by Cadet RSM Natalia McFadzean.

The exceptional contribution of an adult volunteer to the Cadets was also recognised: • Best Adult Volunteer was won by Staff Sergeant Instructor Lorraine Stannett.

Three awards were bestowed upon SkillBuild competition winners: • The E&R Fuller Award for Bricklaying was won by Jago Gamblin.

Winners of Craftsmanship and Special Recognition Awards.

• The Mason-Elliott Award for Roof Slating and Tiling was won by Jordan Maley.

• The Montgomery Award for Wall and Floor Tiling was won by Conor Nugent.

Another award celebrated a craftsman who had been judged by his peers as having demonstrated the very highest standards in his craft: • Master Craftsman – Roof Slater and Tiler was presented to Matthew Timby.

Finally, services to education and industry were recognised and honoured:

Winners of the Stokes Awards pose for a commemorative photograph.

Trinity House, the superb venue for the 2023 Craft Awards and Luncheon, was full to the gunwhales with, miraculously, the waiting list absorbed into the dining room. The assembled diners were interspersed with successful recipients of the awards along with a hearty and excited group of supporters.

Liveryman Dan Clarkson was then invited to propose a toast to the company. The Chair of the Craft Committee, Court Assistant David White, proceeded to announce eloquently the award winners and called for them to step forward to receive their awards, certificates and prizes.

Following the preprandial drinks, the dining hall was occupied by the Company members.

The Master, Wardens and honoured guests processed in whilst receiving an enthusiastic reception. Grace was offered by Liveryman Ian Wilson and an excellent luncheon was enjoyed by all.

Three awards were granted to young men and women from the Sappers and the Army Cadet Force who had demonstrated excellence in construction-related skills during training:

The Master formally welcomed our guests including the principal guest Lt Col Guy Cheesman from the Corps of Royal Engineers (the Sappers). The erudite Lieutenant Colonel thanked the Master for his kind words and regaled the audience with the noteworthy parallels between our Company and the Royal Engineers. The Corps of Royal Engineers was established in 1716, and the first school of military engineering in 1812. He quoted a motto that struck a chord with the audience, namely that the definition of skillset is: “Doing the correct thing on a difficult day when nobody is watching”. The varied and essential works undertaken by the Royal Engineers were explained in excellent fashion.

• Special Recognition for Services to Education and Industry was presented to Simon Dixon.

• Special Recognition for Services to Education and Industry was presented to Liveryman Chris Cox. The winners were applauded as they collected their accolades from the Master and Lt Col Cheesman.

• The Stokes Award Royal Engineers Class 1 was won by Sapper Harry Burley.

After delivering his closing remarks, the Master processed from the dining room accompanied by the Wardens and invited guests. The successful Craftsmen, after signing a page in the Company’s leather bound Register, then processed to the Court Room where photographs were taken to record the special occasion.

• The Stokes Award Royal Engineers Class 2 was won by Sapper Jake Sheridan.

The assembled members and guests retired to hearth and home at 3.30pm.

Matthew Timby and Simon Dixon receive their awards from the Master and Lt Col Cheesman www.tylersandbricklayers.co.uk

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Who are the Brigantes?

It is estimated that well over 1800 liverymen of the City of London are resident in the North of England. Indeed it is thought some 41 of the 111 livery companies have over 10 liverymen living in the North. Many others regard the North of England as their spiritual home by origin, familial roots or desire.

Down here in the City of London we are fortunate in being richly endowed with surviving or rebuilt livery halls that reflect the long and illustrious histories of our many ancient London guilds. However, as Past Master Tom Hoffman reminded us, a vast network of craft guilds once existed right across the country. For instance in 1531, while there were 60 guilds or livery companies operating in the City of London, all major cities such as Bristol, Chester, Nottingham and Norwich also had numerous craft guilds. In York alone there were as many as 56 different guilds with recorded ordinances. Today, however, the opportunity for active guild activity outside of London is much reduced.

In 2014, a small group of Past Masters led by Adrian Waddingham, a late Sheriff, recognised that many liverymen were travelling considerable distances to actively participate in the City of London livery companies. They decided to organise an inaugural livery lunch in the north of England.

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Manchester Town Hall was the chosen venue and Fiona Woolf, 2013/2014 Lord Mayor agreed to be the principal speaker. Taking place in May 2015, for the first time this ”breakfast”, as it was termed, provided the perfect opportunity for liverymen from all livery companies and their guests to dine together formally in a prestigious northern venue on a par with City of London livery halls. Since then, the Brigantes has gone from strength to strength with a succession of well attended “Breakfasts”, “Winter Gatherings” and golf competitions.

The Brigantes has been able to secure some really outstanding and memorable venues right across the North of England for its events. Indeed, built at a time of great industrial activity and wealth in the North, some of these match or exceed the splendour of the City’s best livery halls.

While the Brigantes targets liverymen having ‘northern connections’, like Ward Clubs it presents itself as a low cost membership organisation for all liverymen. However, while membership is encouraged, to date its events have remained open to liverymen whether or not ‘Brigantes’, and indeed, whether or not living in the North.

An unexpected bonus of this inclusivity is that it presents a great way for those born

David Williams Court Assistant

and living in London and the South East to gain a better appreciation of the very fine cities and quality architecture in the north of England. As prestigious livery events, Breakfasts are very well attended, often supported by the current Lord Mayor of the City of London and the Sheriffs, and by late Lord Mayors. They usually also invite local civic and church representation from the cities or towns visited. While there is the cost of getting there, events are also moderately priced compared to similar lunches and dinners held in the City of London.

The Brigantes name chosen for the association originates from a large northern tribe occupying much of the north of England at the time of the Roman occupation, famously led by Queen Cartimandua. It is therefore appropriate that the modern day Brigantes has a tribal Chieftain (currently historian Adrian Waddingham) and that regular humorous historical reference is made to the Celtic connection.

Details of future Brigantes events, and membership if desired, is available from the Brigantes Administrator Fiona Robinson on livery@brigantes.org.uk

The beautiful St George’s Hall, Liverpool. An outstanding venue famed for its Minton floor tiling used by the Brigantes. Photo credit: Michael D Beckwith

Masters’ and Clerks’ Luncheon

View of the assembled company in the Courtyard

The Very Reverend Andrew Tremlett speaking.

On the left, Dr Jonathan Holliday, the Master Apothecary.

Our annual luncheon for ‘friendly’ Masters and their Clerks, often drawn from Livery companies in our allied trades, was held at Apothecaries’ Hall on 6 June 2023.

Apothecaries’ Hall is the oldest extant livery hall in the City of London, having been rebuilt in 1672 following the destruction of the former hall, previously part of the Dominican priory of the Black Friars. The hall, save for refurbishments and updates to kitchen and services, is largely as it was at that time, having had a fortunate escape in World War II when a large incendiary bomb failed to detonate.

our principal guest, together with the Clerk and the Chaplain, had processed into the hall, 75 of us sat down to a delicious lunch.

We were honoured by the presence of the following Masters and Clerks: • Apothecaries – Dr Jonathan Holliday (and his Clerk: Nick Royle) • Architects – Christopher Dyson (and his Clerk: Cheryl Reid) • Builders’ Merchants – Richard Hill • Constructors – David Sheehan • Paviors – John May The clement weather on the day allowed us to commence with a champagne reception in the delightful courtyard, before proceeding upstairs to the hall for luncheon.

Once the Master, Wardens and the Very Reverend Andrew Tremlett, Dean of St Paul’s,

Dr Michael Holliday Liveryman

The menu consisted of a sea bream starter, accompanied by a South African sauvignon blanc, followed by Cumbrian lamb.

what Newton was doing in scientific experiment. Rather than creating a sense of awe and mystery and wonder, Wren’s architecture was trying to explain the rationality of the universe and bring order to the stones, reflecting what he thought of as God who brings order out of chaos.

With the lamb a red Bordeaux, Ch Lanessan 2014, was served. This excellent wine was purchased by the Company some years previously and kept in Davy’s cellars, as explained in Philip Parris’s article on the Wine Committee elsewhere in this Review.

And perhaps that really is what St Paul’s is about. In a world where all too often chaos seems to reign, the act of bringing the nation together in moments of celebration, thanksgiving or commemoration remains invaluable…

We continued with a Summer Pudding, tea and coffee. Guests were also offered dessert wine (Monbazillac) and port.

But while all this may seem grand and glorious: I want to return to Wren’s tomb.

Because just above it, my own Livery Company which represents the tradition of stonemasonry, the Masons’ Company, erected its own memorial. This time to the stonemasons and artisans who actually did the work on the building, rather than the design. I suspect they would be in good company with Tylers & Bricklayers in feeling that recognition often falls on the great and the good, rather than those who bore the heat of the day.”

Following the toasts, the Response was given by the Very Reverend Andrew Tremlett, Dean of St Paul’s. In a wide ranging speech, amongst other things he contrasted the development of the two cathedrals in Westminster and the City: “The whole purpose of Wren’s Cathedral was to do something different from a Gothic structure like Westminster Abbey. The Gothic cathedrals inspire awe and wonder, a sense of mystery, with all those hidden corners and unexpected vistas…

Wren’s building was doing in architecture,

This comment struck a chord with the assembled guests and the Dean’s speech rounded off what was in every way a memorable lunch.

The assembled company and guests www.tylersandbricklayers.co.uk

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Court and Livery Luncheon Few of us will be able to forget that special broadcast moment, live from St James’s Palace on 10 September 2022, when King Charles III was proclaimed King. The man with the task of reading the Proclamation was Garter Principal King of Arms, David White.

We felt highly honoured to have David as our guest speaker for the Court and Livery Luncheon at Saddlers’ Hall on 7 September 2023. He was able to re-live that event with us and give us some interesting anecdotes from behind the scenes, for both the late Queen’s funeral and the King’s coronation.

For example the impressive synchronised marching was not an accident. David reported that under instructions from Garrison Sergeant Major Andrew ‘Vern’ Stokes, he downloaded and listened to a metronome app at 75 beats per minute – including falling asleep to it – to learn the correct pace for the funeral procession. The funeral (code – named ‘London Bridge’) was a plan rehearsed regularly, but the Coronation, code-named ‘Golden Orb’, was an evolving plan which reflected the King’s values about modernising and re-cycling.

Whilst some garments were historical hand me downs, the Royal Stole was designed by the College of Arms and made by the

Worshipful Company of Girdlers. David drew comparisons with the ceremonies of the past and touched on many aspects of the ceremony, including the music and liturgy. In short he was an entertaining speaker!

The splendour of Saddlers’ Hall was an impressive backdrop to entertain our guests, who were introduced

by Court Assistant Keith Aldis. These included our speaker David White, the Master of the Worshipful Company of Plumbers, Air Commodore Paul Nash and Adrian Mumford, Clerk to the Worshipful Company of Plumbers. Master John Schofield welcomed new Freemen Bob Coutts, Brendan McMillan, David Hulin, David Wright and Richard Beresford and new Liverymen Bob Richardson, Kim Walker, Roy Palmer and Charlotte Pienaar. Charlotte gave the Toast to the Company.

As it was his last formal event as Master, John reflected on some of the highlights and achievements of the Company, to much applause and table drumming.

Membership had increased to a pleasing 205 and he felt that this was a solid foundation on which to move

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Debby Burman Freeman

forward. In February 2023 the Company became affiliated to the Royal Navy vessel HMS Magpie and he and the Mistress has since been afforded a tour of the vessel and trip around the coast off Milford Haven.

Then in April 2023 a new Craft Bursary Scheme had been launched, designed to provide financial support to deserving persons undertaking an approved form of craft training. There had been over 20 applications which were now being short-listed. It was expected that three to five individuals would receive cheques of £1000.

Another donation of over £30,000 to Christ’s Hospital School was a very special achievement, as was our participation in the Lord Mayor’s Show, an event to be repeated in November. After such a brilliant year in office, many thanks were given to those who had supported him, including in no small part the Mistress, Dr Helen Schofield.

In closing, I would like to report that the lunch was delicious and the company entertaining.

It is quite some time ago that I last ate Guinea Fowl and the Pimms Eton Mess was a perfect finale to a luncheon served in a much needed air-conditioned venue, with temperatures well over 30 degrees outside.

David White Renter Warden in Nomination

Craft Visit to RSME After a break of some seven years, Company members were pleased to be invited by Lt Col Guy Cheesman CEng MlnstRE, the Commanding Officer of 1 Royal School of Military Engineering (1 RSME), to demonstrate their skills in the craft of bricklaying and to enjoy a tour of the Royal Engineers Museum, incorporating lunch at the Officers’ Mess.

The event on Tuesday 12 September was attended by 18 members and guests who upon arrival at 08:00 am were taken straight to their classroom for a full briefing.

The morning’s task was explained, together with all health and safety related matters. The goal, to construct from scratch a feature wall panel highlighting the year 2023, with simple raked back side returns.

As all the competitors were about to find out, it looked a far simpler challenge when presented on screen than it was to turn out to be in practice!

Everyone processed out of the classroom to collect their PPE, divide into teams of two and meet their mentor, a Royal Engineers Sapper allocated to each pair for the morning. Shortly afterwards, competitors were shown to their workspace and at 09:30 am sharp the challenge began in earnest.

Three hours was allocated for the task and this time soon passed, with competitors feeling the heat, both physically and mentally.

At the end of the competition everyone climbed out of some fairly disgusting overalls and retired to the Officers’ Mess for lunch, ably led in by Lt Jonathan Patrick (known as JP to his students). Meanwhile SSgt Dave Collins and Stephen Turner, Lead Instructor from MKC Training, our two judges for the day, inspected the walls and marked them on merit, being mindful of the amount of assistance provided by each mentor during the competition.

Following lunch, the group enjoyed a tour of the Royal Engineers Museum, which included a perfect photo opportunity alongside the polar sundial designed by Past Master Piers Nicholson.

This polar sundial at Chatham formed part of a joint venture between the Royal Engineers and the Worshipful Company of Tylers and Bricklayers in 1999 to design and construct three sundials for presentation to the City of London in the Millennium year.

One is located on the north bank of the River Thames adjacent to the Millennium Bridge, one is located on the south bank close to the Millennium Dome Ecology Park and the third, shown in the photograph below, is displayed outside the Royal Engineers Museum in Chatham. All three sundials were constructed at RSME and each contains a time capsule enclosing the Company and Royal Engineers membership lists.

At the end of the tour everyone gathered to hear the names of the winning teams and offer their congratulations at the prize giving.

This year’s prizes, some splendid trowels resting on bricks, were kindly donated by the Chairman of the Craft Committee, Renter Warden in Nomination David White.

The winners of ‘Best Bricklayer’ and worthy recipients of the Golden Trowel were Upper Warden Christopher Causer and Court Assistant Ian Ogden, who was Chief Instructor at RSME when the sundials were designed and constructed there.

We wish to extend our heartfelt thanks to our hosts, the Corps of Royal Engineers, and in particular Lt Col Guy Cheesman, for enabling our fantastic day at RSME. We also thank Stephen Turner from MKC Training, SSgt Dave Collins and Lt Jonathan Patrick for being our guides and judges for the day and all the Sappers who gave up their time to help us through the bricklaying task with such patience, precision and good humour.

David White Court Assistant

London Careers Festival The Worshipful Company of Tylers and Bricklayers are active members of the Livery Schools Link and as part of that commitment we attend the London Careers Festival each year. The event in early July is held in Guildhall over a number of days and gives London based employers and, in our case, Livery companies the opportunity to meet young people from London primary and secondary schools.

This year a team from the Craft Committee, led by Master Craftsman Emma Simpson MBE (standing next to the Master, below), planned and staffed a stand showcasing our bricklaying craft skills.

The stand created a lot of interest amongst the students, helped by the interactive nature of the displays and the enthusiasm shown by all the members who attended.

At the end of the event, we all felt that it had been worthwhile and thoroughly enjoyable and maybe, just maybe, we had helped to encourage at least one young student to consider a career in bricklaying!

My thanks go to the following members for helping to organise and run the event so successfully on the day: • Master of the Company, Prof John Schofield • Master Craftsman Emma Simpson MBE, Liveryman and member of the Craft Committee • Tony Yianni, Liveryman and member of the Craft Committee • Peter Lynch, Liveryman and member of the Craft Committee

Upper Warden Chris Causer and Liveryman Ian Ogden, behind the winning wall, with Liam their adviser

Ts and Bs with the millennium sundial at the Royal Engineers Museum

• George Hodgson, Architect and heritage bricklayer • James Brown, Winchmore Brickwork 2nd year apprentice

www.tylersandbricklayers.co.uk

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Master’s Visit to Kent This year’s Master’s Visit started on a warm summer’s day, with 27 members and their partners rendezvousing at the magnificent Chilton Park Hotel on 28 June.

We travelled to the Chapel Down Winery, where we were shown the wide variety of grapes being grown and tasted the corresponding wines. We then stealthily staggered, or as stealthily as we could in our hi-vis jackets, through their production facilities, before visiting their shop to stock up on supplies.

We returned to Chilston Park Hotel and convened in the Garden Room for champagne and canapés. We then sat for a tremendous three-course meal, before retiring to the bar to reflect on the day’s achievements.

Despite being assured that Day 2 would commence with ‘breakfast at leisure’, we left our hotel at the ungodly hour of 9:30 am and headed for the Eastbridge! The Eastbridge is in the centre of the City of Canterbury and comprises three adjoining sites and buildings, the Eastbridge Hospital, Greyfriars Chapel

and the Franciscan Gardens. The Eastbridge, or the Hospital of St Thomas the Martyr upon Eastbridge, to give it its full name, was and remains a hospital in the original sense of the word, a place of hospitality.

It was created in 1180 to provide accommodation for pilgrims who came to visit the tomb of Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury who was murdered in the Cathedral in 1170. For the past 800 years, the Eastbridge has given shelter and help to pilgrims, soldiers, local societies and schoolchildren and, for the last 400 years, it has provided and still provides a permanent home to elderly people.

We were fortunate enough to visit the Franciscan Gardens. Inspired by the site’s original use as a Franciscan Friary, the recently replanted gardens were a hidden gem of symbolic planting, peaceful paths and the beautiful Greyfriars Chapel. We walked in the footsteps of the first Franciscans in England and enjoyed this place of gentle contemplation and tranquillity beside the burbling Great Stour river, before returning

David White Renter Warden in Nomination to the Hospital where the staff kindly laid on lunch for us, accompanied by some lovely English wine.

After lunch, we commenced our walking tour of Canterbury. We made our way to the Roper Gate, a 16th-century gateway that once provided entrance to Place House, home of William Roper and Margaret Roper, daughter of Sir Thomas More. Unfortunately, nothing now remains of Place House. The gate is a wonderful example of decorative Tudor brickwork and comprises a fourcentred arch, surmounted by a stepped gable rising in five levels. The gable is pierced with a three-light window, above which is a small roundel window, and the gateway is further decorated with diamond ‘diapering’.

When Sir Thomas More was executed for treason by Henry VIII, Margaret Roper was granted permission to take her father’s head. This head she stored in the Roper family vault in St Dunstan’s Church, further along St Dunstan Street, where it became a destination for pilgrims, particularly following More’s elevation to sainthood in 1935.

We then walked to the former Holy Cross Church, which now serves as the Guildhall, where we were greeted by the Lord Mayor, Councillor Jean Butcher, and her consort.

The Master introduced our Company to the Lord Mayor and Liveryman Christine Rigden gave an overview of the Livery companies of the City of London. The Lord Mayor replied outlining her duties on behalf of the people of Canterbury.

We bid farewell and proceeded to Canterbury Cathedral, via the famous ‘ducking stool’.

The device was used by the Saxons and may have been used as a penalty for

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cheating businessmen, and as a more severe punishment for suspected witches. If they drowned, they were deemed innocent. If they survived, they were a witch. Either way, a bit of a raw deal. Frighteningly, use of these stools ended in Britain only in 1809.

and 1763. The sailors referred to Sissinghurst as ‘le chateau’, hence ‘castle’ being adopted into its name. An original ink and dye drawing on display in the library gives a remarkable insight into what the site would have looked like in the 18th century.

Canterbury Cathedral is one of the oldest and most famous Christian structures in the world. It forms part of a World Heritage Site. Founded in 597, the Cathedral was completely rebuilt between 1070 and 1077.

The east end was enlarged at the beginning of the 12th century, and largely rebuilt in the Gothic style following a fire in 1174, with significant eastward extensions to accommodate pilgrims visiting the shrine of Thomas Becket. After our tour, we stayed for Choral Evensong. The choir sang beautifully.

In 1796 the Cranbrook ‘Councillors’ took out a lease on Sissinghurst. It was to be used as a poor house for the able-bodied.

The owners repaired many of the buildings and around 100 men were offered housing, employment and food. The inmates worked the farm, which became profitable, for the local parish. When the estate reverted back to the Cornwallis family in 1855, it was the beginning of a great period of Victorian ‘high farming’, and the Sissinghurst farm was deemed the best on the substantial Cornwallis estate.

Dinner was taken at the Corner House Restaurant, where we enjoyed some exceptional Kentish produce. We returned to our hotel, where some of the party fell straight into bed. The remainder fell straight into the bar, keen to give the local economy a boost.

After our final breakfast at the wonderful Chilston Park Hotel, we travelled to Sissinghurst Castle and its magnificent gardens.

When Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson bought Sissinghurst in early 1930, it looked quite different to today. The buildings housed farm workers and the garden was used to grow vegetables. The surrounding farm grew cereals alongside orchards and hop gardens. None of the buildings were habitable and old sardine tins, cabbage stalks and rusty bedsteads littered the grounds. None of this mattered to Vita, who saw its great potential.

The site that Sissinghurst Castle Garden sits on was once a Saxon pig farm. It was originally called ‘Saxenhurst,’ with ‘hurst’ having meant woodland. The Tudor buildings were used as a prison for up to 3,000 French sailors who were captured by the British during the Seven Years War between 1756

Vita loved old roses and she finally had the space to indulge her passion. Her vision was for ‘a tumble of Roses and Honeysuckle, Figs and Vines’. Vita was a gifted amateur who gardened instinctively and without the desire for perfection. When it came to planting, she didn’t want to see the soil but vibrant

flowerbeds bursting with colour. Harold took a more classical approach, feeling more comfortable with straight lines that could create a framework for planting. Inspired by the land, Vita and Harold created spaces which provided views for miles around. The result of their work is what you see today, a refuge dedicated to beauty.

We retired to the restaurant, housed in the former granary, for lunch before journeying home for a well-deserved rest! On behalf of the members who attended this year’s Visit, I would like to extend our sincere thanks to the Master and Mistress for a truly memorable trip.

www.tylersandbricklayers.co.uk

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Charter Day visit to Greenwich The Company’s Annual Charter Day visit celebrates the signing of our Charter by Queen Elizabeth I at Gorhambury near St Albans in 1568. Last year we visited St Albans Cathedral but this year the Master chose a venue rather closer to home.

The Royal Naval College in Greenwich was built on the site of the Palace of Placentia, where Henry VIII married first Catherine of Aragon and later, after his break with the Catholic Church, Anne Boleyn. Elizabeth I was born at the palace and spent much of her childhood there. Little remains of the palace today, except as some of the foundations to

the current buildings. The area has changed significantly since Elizabeth’s day but the royal hunting grounds to the south of the palace remain as Greenwich Park.

On 29 July 23 intrepid Tylers and Bricklayers, their guests and the Clerk met at the Visitors’ Centre, braving the uncertainty of public transport on a rail and tube strike day. The weather, which had been very changeable all week, turned out to be kind and it was dry and warm for our walking tour of the site.

The College is a magnificent example of Sir Christopher Wren’s architecture and it was timely to visit during the 300th anniversary year of his death at the age of 90.

Roger, our guide, gave us a most informative and entertaining tour of the site, which for many years was home to retired sailors, much like the Chelsea Hospital for soldiers. From what we heard, the sailors mostly sought their entertainment in the local town, which was well provided with all the facilities found in a busy port of the time.

After walking around the College site, which is much used as a film set these days, we entered the Chapel of St Peter & St Paul. This very restful but grand space is still available for weddings and services. It was part of Sir Christopher Wren’s original design for the Royal Hospital for Seamen at Greenwich and after a devastating fire the Chapel was rebuilt in 1779 by James ‘Athenian’ Stuart. With a richly decorated ceiling depicting naval themes and an altarpiece painted by Benjamin West, it is now regarded as one of the finest neoclassical interiors in existence.

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Issue 34 | 2023

Dr Helen Schofield The Mistress 2022/23

On-site entertainment was limited in years gone by, because of the strict regime imposed by the governor, but we visited the main attraction during Victorian times – a basement bowling alley, not normally open to the public.

Here the seamen smoked and chatted, bowling with heavy cannon balls. There were no automatic systems to re-set the skittles!

Our tour of the site concluded in the magnificent Painted Hall, with its painted walls and ceilings undertaken by Sir James Thornhill.

These are covered in images depicting over 200 figures including kings, queens and mythological creatures. It is the largest

everyone was ready for lunch at the Old Brewery overlooking the river. We enjoyed a three-course lunch with wine under the colonnade, with both fine company and fine weather.

painted ceiling in the country. The hall has recently undergone an extensive conservation programme returning it to its former glory and it was fascinating to learn about some of the messages conveyed through the imagery in the paintings. Roger brought it all to life and it must have been an astonishing venue for dining in the days when the College was used for training officers for the Royal Navy.

On this occasion, we were not to dine in the Painted Hall, but after two hours on our feet

After this long lunch, some departed to ensure that they were able to get home before the public transport closed down. A small group made their way up the hill to the Royal Observatory to view the exhibition there.

We stopped to marvel at the view across the park over the Queen’s House and the Royal Maritime Museum, with the Royal Naval College and river beyond. St Paul’s Cathedral is just visible in the distance, one of the preserved views in London. The view across to Canary Wharf and the City of London has undoubtedly changed considerably over the years since Elizabeth I was a child, with lower river traffic, cleaner water and less smoke. However, the contours of the river and the green expanse of Greenwich Park have remained the same, although now with parakeets replacing deer!

The Royal Observatory was built reusing bricks from the palace of Placentia and is a landmark visible for miles across London. The meridian

line runs through the building, representing the Prime Meridian of the world, Longitude Zero, seen as a steel strip in the photograph above.

The Observatory houses a magnificent collection of telescopes and clocks, including John Harrison’s timepieces which won the Longitude Prize of £20,000. This was a huge sum of money, equivalent to £1.5 million today, which the government was reluctant to pay.

Charter day concluded with tea at the Observatory and a visit to Queen Elizabeth’s Oak. The Oak, which is thought to date from the 12th century, was a place where Elizabeth is reputed to have spent many childhood hours. It died at the end of the 19th century but remained standing for many years because of ivy holding it up. It eventually fell in 1991 and all that remains is the rotting trunk, home to insects and fungi. A replacement tree was planted by the late Duke of Edinburgh. Long may it flourish, root and branch!

The Master and Mistress, see here with friends

by Queen Elizabeth’s Oak, were delighted that so many members of the Company were able to join them.

www.tylersandbricklayers.co.uk

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Golf Day On 27 September 26 golfers travelled to Burnham Beeches Golf Club for a day of companionship, golf and good food.

The tee times started at 10.30am after a hearty golfer’s breakfast of bacon rolls and coffee. The golfers consisted of several enthusiastic Tylers and Bricklayers and their guests. We were also joined by the Paviors and the Information Technologists.

Charlotte Pienaar Liveryman and Golf Captain The tee times were made up of a 3 ball with men off the yellow tees and ladies from the red tees. We had a nearest the pin competition on the 10th and the longest drive on the 18th. We played for the Paul Harris Trophy as individuals and as a team for the Three Clerks’ Trophy.

After the round, we had a fantastic meal

Brick Restoration of chicken supreme and a dessert of fruitin: crumble. The team at Burnham Beeches London, Home Counties, East and East Anglia were very welcomingSouth and kind towards the golf day participants and the location was good for all.

I played with two Past Masters, Simon Martin and Tom Rider. Simon turned out to be a ‘past master’ at golf too and won the Tylers & Bricklayers Paul Harris Trophy.

The Paviors won the Three Clerks Trophy for the first time, which they were delighted with.

The nearest the pin was won by Ray Bullock and the longest drive by Past Master Nick Carter.

The Master, who does not play golf, very The Master with the Paviors Brick Restoration in: us company round the course and kindly kept

The Master presents the Paul Harris Trophy managed to walk with many of the teams.

This was a lovely idea. The Master also stayed on to present the prizes.

After the presentation, Past Master David Szymanski asked if I would like to organise the next golf day which I accepted with alacrity.

We all had a fantastic day and would like to thank David Szymanski and Simon Martin for organising the event.

London, Home Counties, South East and East Anglia

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34

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Lord Mayor’s Big Curry Lunch

Christopher Causer Master

Diana Malzer Liveryman

The Lord Mayor’s Big Curry lunch was held this year at the Guildhall on 30 March.

Since 2008 the event has raised over £2.85 million to help Armed Forces veterans find employment and new careers, primarily through King Edward VII’s Hospital’s Veterans’ Pain Management Programme and the Lifeworks programme.

The Poulters’ Company have organised pancake racing in Guildhall Yard for twenty years and the 19th Inter-Livery Pancake Races were held on 21 February 2023.

There are a series of heats, and runners from different classes, including Masters, Liverymen and Fancy Dress. All in all it makes for good entertainment for the spectators and raises valuable funds for charity.

The Royal reception was graced by their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester who also visited the Veterans’ Garden in Guildhall yard with the Lord Mayor. This year’s garden was inspired by the theme of loss, unity and hope and designed

by Gianna Utilini on behalf of the Worshipful Company of Gardeners, with the help of the Guild of Freemen.

Our party of 29 Tylers and Bricklayers including the Master and the Mistress (and guests) braved ticketing issues and general though jovial confusion to enjoy a glass of champagne on entry – and many more glasses thereafter! In the main foyer were several Livery company stands and there was an opportunity to buy a range of items including leather goods and books.

After the champagne reception, our party was invited to attend the third lunch sitting at 2pm in the main Livery Hall where we were offered a selection of curries – including a spiced chicken dish, vegetable curry, tarka dhal and pilau rice with side dishes of yoghurt, chutneys, salads, sauces and naan bread.

This was served with either wine or beer and followed by a creamy kulfi ice cream dessert.

Pancake Racing

Throughout the lunch all were encouraged to buy tickets for the Prize Draw and to bid in the Silent Auction of donated lots, three generously given by Tylers and Bricklayers members. Bids were accepted until 3pm when the lucky winners were declared. The auction raised over £90,000, a record for this event.

This selfie taken by Past Master Ian Mitchell Grimshaw demonstrates well the mood of the event! Further Livery stands were found on the way out of the lunch – knitwear, flowers, plants, fruit, vegetables and baked goods appeared to be popular purchases. The Master thanked the organiser, Liveryman Diana Malzer, for her hard work in delivering a really satisfying event in support of such a worthwhile cause.

A dozen loud and supportive Ts & Bs watched as our Master opened proceedings by competing in the very first race of the day. This had the drawback of being started by the official cannon, which was very loud in the enclosed courtyard and caused numerous spectators and competitors to jump. Nonetheless the Master got a good start and was leading the race until a gust of wind took his chef’s hat off. Wearing the hat is a qualification for finishing so he had to go back and retrieve it, turning first place into third.

The T&B team celebrated the revival of pancake racing, which we have not done for a few years, by joining the lunch in the Guildhall Crypt and sampling some edible pancakes downstairs.

Liveryman Michael Ash kindly supported the event by devising a sponsorship scheme – T&B spectators were given marks for carrying handbags, wearing feathers in their hats and carrying umbrellas, and the total sponsorship money raised was £250. This was passed to a Company charity.

www.tylersandbricklayers.co.uk

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PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION

Winner – Brickwork Jenny Rolls – St. Benet’s Abbey, Norfolk Broads

Winner – Wall and Floor Tiling Simon Martin – 12th Century Floor Tiles, Basilica, San Clemente, Rome

This year’s photographic competition received its largest ever number of entries and all were of a fantastic quality, many having been taken with a smart phone!

The judges had a very difficult, but nevertheless enjoyable, time reviewing all the entries and eventually agreed upon three category winners (wall and floor tiling, roof slating and tiling, brickwork) and three further entries that justified special recognition.

Each of the winners received a bottle of fine champagne to help them celebrate their victory. So, don’t forget to enter the 2023 competition which is now open for entries, with more good champagne waiting to be won.

And the three entries that the judges felt deserved special recognition were as follows:

Wall and Floor Tiling: Lesley Day – Garden in Seville 36

Issue 34 | 2023

Winner – Roof Slating and Tiling Charles Cooper – Wurzburg Residence, Germany

Roof Slating and Tiling: Simon Martin – Norfolk Clay Tiles

Brickwork: Chris Cox – Stanton Long, Shropshire

New Freemen Admitted December 2022

Admitted 9 March 2023

Debby Burman

Ed Renwick

Stuart Wiliams

Debby was born in Taplow, Buckinghamshire and went to school in Weston Super Mare.

She studied marketing at university and gained an MBA from the University of Hull in 2008.

Following a career in marketing, including 15 years as Marketing Director with CorpCom Marketing and Events, Debbie set up Burman Consultancy in 2010 and is currently Clerk to the Trustees and Director of the Joseph Rank Benevolent Fund. Having lived for many years in East Yorkshire, Debby and her husband Paul have relocated to West Hampstead. Debby enjoys choral singing and history.

Ed Renwick was born in Sheffield and went to school in Winchester. He studied English at the University of Bristol and then law in Oxford. He also has an advanced diploma in French studies. He started his career as a trainee then associate solicitor at Macfarlanes before moving to Kleinwort Benson, rising to their Head of Legal and working on the integration with SG Hambros to create SG Kleinwort Hambros. He is currently General Counsel at Hurst Point Group. Ed now lives with his partner, Pierre, in Farringdon. In his spare time he enjoys cycling (velodrome and time trials) and opera.

Admitted by Redemption on 9 March 2023.

Stuart is a qualified Chartered Accountant.

Following employments with some of the major accounting companies, Stuart became an entrepreneur in 1975 and set up and ran his own businesses. He has worked and lived in Sao Paulo, Brazil and London In 1997 he co-founded Topps Tiles PLC and was its Chairman until 2006. He is still a major shareholder. Since 1999 he has also been a commercial property developer.

Stuart lives in London with his wife, Hilary.

They have 2 sons.

Admitted June 2023 journey as a Wates bricklaying apprentice in 1976, rising to the role of Contracts Manager.

Holding advanced qualifications and NVQ certifications, he refined his skills.

Notable milestones include a silver trowel award during his Wates apprenticeship and, later, management roles at Laing London and Swift Brickwork Contract Ltd since 1992.

Dean played a pivotal role in the design of iconic projects like Turnmill Building, York House, Royal College of Art, and Kensington Palace Orangery.

Dean serves on The Association of Brickwork Contractors training board and aids apprentice programs. His judging role at Brick Development Association (BDA) Brick Awards underscores his expertise.

Responsibilities encompass troubleshooting, apprentice oversight, NVQ training, fire barrier training, design management, labour sourcing, and client golf.

Dean Degun Dean Degun, a construction industry veteran with decades of experience, embarked on his

Dean’s pride lies in project contributions and nurturing talent. Beyond work, he’s an avid golfer, supporting charities like Saint Francis Hospice and Christians Against Poverty. He offers care to the bereaved and those in need of a compassionate ear.

David Hackett David was born in Sydney, Australia. He has been associated with the tile industry for over thirty years, working for manufacturers as well as owning and operating a tile retail business. Following an MBA from the Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration, David’s career with ARDEX has taken him around the globe including Australia, Germany, and the United Kingdom.

He is currently Managing Director of Building Adhesives Ltd (BAL) and ARDEX UK. David now lives in Cheshire with his wife Joanne. In his spare time David is interested in the conservation projects, biodiversity and is a keen ornithologist.

www.tylersandbricklayers.co.uk

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Admitted September 2023

David Hulin

Bob Coutts

Brendan McMillan

David Hulin was born and bred in Liverpool.

He studied business studies at Liverpool College of Commerce. He has more than 40 years’ experience as a director of a variety of different companies and was trading director of an international commodity trading company for 14 years.

Bob Coutts was born in Fauldhouse, a village in West Lothian, Scotland. He now lives a few miles from his birthplace in Newarthill with his partner and fiancée Anne.

Brendan McMillan grew up in London and went to Colfes School, a Leathersellers school in South London. He went on to gain a BA at the University of Gloucester.

After an apprenticeship as a Slater/ Roughcaster, Bob transferred to Hart Builders Ltd where he refined his crafts.

In 1975 he began lecturing to Craft and Advanced Craft Level. He lectured at Telford College/ Edinburgh College and advanced to Senior Lecturer (Curriculum). Since 2017 he has been a Trainer/Assessor of Roof Slating and Tiling based at Nutts Corner Training Centre, Belfast NI.

Brendan works in property development and investment. He is currently Head of Estimates at Trademark Group. The Tylers and Bricklayers are a family affair for Brendan with his father being a Liveryman and his brother, Myles, a Freeman.

Since retiring, David has become an investor and director of a warehousing business and also manages an investment property portfolio.

His hobbies include golf, swimming and walking. He is currently involved in fundraising for The Country Trust.

David now lives in Ingatestone, Essex with his wife, June. They have two daughters and 4 grandchildren.

When not involved in Slating and Tiling competitions at regional, national and international level Bob enjoys his RA Freemasonry and making brass badges especially with a roofing theme.

Brendan still lives in South London. His great hobby is rugby which he plays regularly.

New Liveryman

Dr Roy Palmer David Wright David was born in Kent but went to school in Harwich. Having passed various exams with the Institute of Statisticians, David went on to join the Civil Service rising to be Head of PFI in the UK Government’s Funding Agency for Schools. He worked on various government PFI projects from schools to prisons.

Since then David has operated as a senior consultant, trainer and mentor on project finance and PPP across the world, giving advice and support to governments in central and Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Africa, the Far East, North America and the Caribbean.

David now lives with his wife, Doreen, in London. David has three children. His hobbies include overseas development work, rugby, cricket and researching family history.

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Issue 34 | 2023

Richard Beresford Richard was brought up in Australia and gained a Bachelor of Business from the university of SA. Richard has worked his way up through a variety of organisations in Australia, the UK and Europe.

Since 2014 he has been CEO of the National Federation of Builders where he leads on formulation of the long-term strategic direction and delivery of the annual business plan.

Richard now lives in London. He enjoys sport (participation and watching), theatre and travel history.

Dr Roy Palmer was born in Peterborough. He went to a Medical College of the University of London and is a trained doctor, barrister and coroner.

After a spell as a GP in Hertfordshire he joined the staff of the Medical Protection Society, later serving as its medical director for a decade. After that he became a Coroner, serving as Senior Coroner for South London and Deputy Coroner for the City of London.

Roy lives in Southwark with his wife Celia, also a doctor. They have two daughters and two grandsons. Roy and Celia enjoy the opera, concert, theatre and the arts.

Roy was drawn to the Tylers and Bricklayers as his Grandfather managed a tile works and his Father was MD of the Rhodesian Brick and Pottery Company (“Rhobrik”). Roy is a Past Master Apothecary and a Liveryman Barber.

Jennifer Rolls Upper Warden I was born in London but brought up and educated in Lincolnshire. I trained as a paediatric nurse at the Hospital for Sick Children Great Ormond St, later meeting my husband Nigel, a GP, while nursing in Norwich. We settled in Norfolk, near the Broads, where we still live, bringing up our four sons. I subsequently owned and ran a nursery school in a nearby village for 17 years, before carrying on work with mothers and babies.

I followed my father, Christopher Bull, in joining the Tylers and Bricklayers Company in 2002, becoming one of the first women Liverymen. I have enjoyed the friendship and company hugely. I am a member of the rather widespread Bird family. My great grandfather, Stephen Bird, was Master in 1914-5.

Unfortunately, his only son was killed in the war, thus missing a generation until my father joined the Livery. I was delighted when my eldest son also decided to join the Company, so that for a short time there were three generations of my family able to attend events.

I was admitted to the Court for the first time in 2014 and am the only Liveryman – so far – to have been recalled to serve for a second time. For the past five years I have held the role of Almoner, which I

Renter Warden in Nomination In years gone by and in my youth, I attended many other Livery company functions as a guest and had the opportunity of applying for membership. I did not pursue this, for I just felt that these other Livery companies did not represent my passion for construction and the crafts. have enjoyed enormously. I was also on the Steering Committee for the Strategic Review in 2020, and more recently chaired the Membership Committee.

I enjoy music, and sing in local choirs, as well as Nordic walking around the beautiful Norfolk countryside, which causes great hilarity in my family. Nigel and I love to spend time visiting our children and seven grandchildren.

I feel very honoured to have been nominated to be the second woman Upper Warden and am looking forward to my year in office.

Alan Dodd Renter Warden I have previously written about my career in the charity sector and how I subsequently became a Tyler and Bricklayer so I won’t go over old ground again. However, given my involvement in charities and various roles in voluntary sector organisations over the past 35 years, I was pleased to be elected as the Honorary Secretary and Treasurer of the Tylers and Bricklayers’ Charitable Trusts. It has been a privilege, although sometimes challenging, to have served the Company in this role since 2018. I am now looking forward to my year as Renter Warden.

During that time, I will continue in my role as Honorary Secretary and Treasurer and aid the Trustees and the Court of Assistants in electing a successor.

My involvement in a number of roles and initiatives since joining the Company has given me an insight into the commitment required to maintain and grow a successful and flourishing modern Livery company. In this, I include all members of the Company who, through their payment of Quarterage and attendance at events, are so important.

Support comes in many ways and these are often ‘under the radar.’ In that respect I am a huge fan of the White Book. Not only is

David White

it an extremely useful directory, it clearly demonstrates my point about commitment and involvement in the day-to-day running of the Company. The White Book shows a hive of members’ activity from the Company Stewards to the Trustees of the Charitable Trusts and members of the various Committees, Support Groups and Working Groups who contribute their time, expertise and counsel to the Worshipful Company of Tylers and Bricklayers’ root and branch prosperity. It is a written record of history, continuity and contribution.

In 2009 I was introduced to the Worshipful Company of Tylers and Bricklayers by Past Master Michael Christopher and immediately felt at home; at that point I decided that I would like to join the Company.

I became a Liveryman in 2010 and my wife Jann and I were immediately made to feel very welcome by the members, which confirmed that I had made the right decision to join this wonderful friendly Company.

In 2011 I became a member of the Web Committee and in 2013 I was invited to join the Craft Committee, where I have remained ever since!

In 2019 I was invited to become a Court Assistant, which I was delighted to accept, and in 2020 I became Chairman of the Craft Committee. I was later appointed as a Trustee of the Craft Trust. Recently I have been involved in planning and promoting our new Craft Bursary Scheme, which is described elsewhere in the Review, and raising the profile of our Livery company within our three trades.

Having left school in 1971 I joined Lovell Construction as part of their apprentice and trainee management scheme and attended Wycombe Technical College. I worked my way up the ladder and eventually left them to gain more experience in the development sector.

Over the years I worked for several of the large construction and development companies at a senior level, until forming my own company, which I still run on a daily basis.

During this time, I was also playing senior club rugby and senior club cricket and was an active member of Round Table, which has now progressed on to being an active 41 Club member.

Jann has been my best friend and wife for over 35 years and now in addition to enjoying our skiing, sailing or scuba diving holidays together, we will be enjoying the honour of serving as this year’s Renter Warden in Nomination.

www.tylersandbricklayers.co.uk

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Andy Rowlands New Court Assistant I applied to join the Worshipful Company of Tylers and Bricklayers after I was awarded Master Craftsman status in March 2017.

I had the honour of becoming the first ever Craft Freeman, before becoming a Liveryman in June 2018.

Having run a successful roofing company for many years, winning awards such as UK Roof of the Year and Heritage Roof of the Year, we capped it all by winning the IFD International Pitched Roof Award, becoming the first UK company to achieve this feat.

After qualifying as a trainer and assessor for Slating, Tiling and Leadwork I set up our own roof training centre based in Hereford. I have always been a great advocate for structured training for the roofing industry as I feel roofing requires the same level of knowledge and skills as the more recognised trades.

Within the wider industry, I am a Senior Officer at the National Federation of Roofing Contractors, and I chair the NFRC Slating and Tiling Technical Committee and the IFD International Pitched Roof Commission.

I also sit on various Roofing related British Standards Committees and chair the revision committee for the new Roofing Framework Standard. I act as a SkillBuild judge, so meet up with the T&B Master every year for the Finals! And I of course enjoy attending meetings of the Craft Committee in London every few months.

I am married to Diane and between us we have six children and nine grandchildren who keep us entertained. We are just completing the renovation work on our villa in Southern Spain and hope to spend a little more time there in the future.

I have competed in many sports over the years and have a great passion for swimming, running and cycling, whether on or off road.

Adrian Blundell New Court Assistant I share my life in Shropshire with Shelley my wonderful wife and five amazing children, plus a rather delinquent show Cocker spaniel called Mylo.

An appreciation of traditional craft skills has been a long-held passion of mine, which encompasses my journey with ceramics. In 1984, during my degree in 3-Dimensional Design in Wood, Metal, Ceramics & Glass at Manchester Polytechnic, I developed a career plan using the skills gained from this course, and in 1989 following my degree a college friend and I set up a ceramic tile manufacturing business in Jackfield, Shropshire. After 11 years of manufacturing ceramic tiles the business was taken over in 2000 by Craven Dunnill & Co, who offered me the role of Production Director for the new company Craven Dunnill Jackfield.

During my 34 year career I have been lucky enough to work with the most amazingly skilled ceramic production team, capable of handling extremely technically challenging contemporary and historic restoration projects in the UK and internationally. Our

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Issue 34 | 2023

work won T&B Triennial Awards in 2011 and 2014 and a special commendation in 2017.

After 33 years manufacturing ceramic tiles and at the age of 57, I wrote my first CV, leaving my role as Director of Craven Dunnill Jackfield and Craven Dunnill & Co, to join HENI as Production Manager, working on architectural glass and ceramic projects with the Brian Clarke Studio. Having studied glass during my degree course I felt I had unfinished business working with this medium so the opportunity of working with Brian has given me the chance of achieving one of my life goals.

Born a Londoner it was a very proud moment for me when in 2018 I was admitted to the Worshipful Company of Tylers and Bricklayers and later that year became a Freeman of the City of London.

Currently I am a member of the Craft Committee and a Ceramic & Glass skills assessor for QEST (the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust). I enjoy both roles, as being able to give something back to support the continuation of craft skills in the UK is vital.

Archaeology, History, Art and family play an important part in our lives, which involves travelling to some amazing places around the world and the British Isles. Doubled with a fascination for horticulture, and in my case Hardy Orchids, these interests keep us both exceptionally busy.

Martin Reading New Court Assistant My story starts on 1 August 1964 being born in the City of London like many generations of my family before me – I therefore consider myself a proud and indigenous Londoner as well as a true Cockney.

I had a wonderful childhood and grew up in Islington with fantastic parents, a couple of brothers and my maternal grandmother.

We lived there until the mid-80’s when we moved to a North London suburb. However, I returned to my roots in the late 1990’s and I still reside in Islington.

After leaving school at 18, most of my working career was spent employed by Local Government organisations or private contractors in and around London. My specialism was in maintaining and improving public areas in which we walk, cycle, scoot, drive, rest and play (and this is not an advertisement for a chocolate bar). Not many professions can say that people’s lives are touched by the simple act of leaving their front door.

I consider myself an extremely fortunate person to have managed to achieve many of my professional goals, working with some talented individuals as well as wonderful organisations in delivering complex and challenging public realm projects in central London.

My spare time is spent socialising, travelling, watching sport (including snooker, darts, cricket and golf), occasionally watching vintage television, regularly exercising and acting as the Treasurer for my local residents’ association. But my favourite pastime of all is chatting to anyone and everyone who will engage or just put up with me.

As you can ascertain from what I have said so far, London has always been central to me in terms of education, working and family life so to be part of this Livery company with its strong traditions and fellowship just adds to the rich tapestry of my life. I have greatly enjoyed acting as Silver Steward over the last few years.

I cannot conclude without mentioning my late Mum who had a major influence on me in more ways than I could ever say. It was always her aspiration for me to become a Freeman of this City so to have achieved this ambition makes me exceptionally proud.

Ian Wilson New Court Assistant A chance discussion at a dinner with Liveryman Nigel Buchanan in 2015 placed the Tylers and Bricklayers on my radar and consequently in 2017 I started my career in the Ts & Bs. My birth county is Northumberland and I followed a career as a graduate engineer with a consulting engineering practice named Sandberg. They are a “testing house” with a specialisation in materials engineering. This was a fledgling discipline in my formative years but it gave me a sound grounding and a Membership of the Institution of Civil Engineers. This career path led me to live an itinerant life pattern, with projects normally being completed in 24 months and then me moving on to the next exciting part of the country.

This life pattern came to an end 50 years ago when Jacqueline and I married, and Anglian Brickwork was then formed. We are now in our fourth decade of trading, enjoying working with clay and on really interesting schemes, including Buckingham Palace, the Mansion House, numerous Cambridge colleges, chapels and art galleries. The love of working with clay has followed me throughout my career. The pinnacle of trade recognition was our success in being given the Brickwork Specialist Contractor and Supreme

Champion 2018 award by the BDA for our work at the acclaimed Cambridge University Storeys Way. Since then I have been honoured to be chosen as a member of the Judging Panel for the BDA Brick Awards, a role I relish.

I live near Cambridge with my wife Jacqueline and a Jack Russell called Lilli. We are fortunate to be situated very close to Liveryman Charlotte Pienaar, our daughter and the mother of our dear granddaughter Annabelle. Charlotte is a huge support in our business and her university days at Newcastle have equipped her well as Finance Director of Anglian Brickwork.

We as a family have the pleasure of a family flat in Bamburgh Castle in my beloved county of Northumberland, where we spend precious days of reflection enjoying the vista.

My community based commitments are as school governor of a SEND school and also chair of trustees for another SEND school.

I rate sport as being my greatest pastime, in particular rugby, having the dubious honour of playing (some years ago) at county level for Northumberland and Essex.

After I ceased playing I became Chairman of Cambridge RFC. I am a member of the

Hawks Club in Cambridge, where I was also elected chairman. Golf plays a part in my relaxation periods, being an enthusiastic participant at Saffron Walden GC since 1985. Proudly Freemasonry is also a large part of my life, with membership of a London lodge. I am shortly to be exalted to “London Grand Rank”. I also look forward to chairing the Craft Committee, which I took over on 5 October this year.

Long may the Tylers and Bricklayers flourish root and branch.

www.tylersandbricklayers.co.uk

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At the Court meeting on 5 October, Liveryman and Steward Diana Malzer was appointed Almoner and Liverymen Nicholas North and Wayne Sheppard were appointed as Stewards.

Wayne Sheppard Nicholas North

Diana Malzer

New Steward

New Almoner

New Steward

Buy your clay bricks from a Brick Development Association Member and ensure quality every time Bulmer Brick & Tile Co Ltd www.bulmerbrickandtile.co.uk Forterra Plc www.forterra.co.uk H.G. Matthews www.hgmattews.com Ibstock Plc www.ibstockbrick.co.uk

Northcot Brick Ltd www.northcotbrick.co.uk Raeburn Brick www.raeburnbrick.co.uk Sussex Handmade Brick www.sussexhandmadebrick.co.uk

H S I T RI

W H Collier Ltd www.whcollier.co.uk

Ketley Brick Company Ltd www.ketley-brick.co.uk Matclad Ltd www.matclad.co.uk Michelmersh Brickworks www.mbhplc.co.uk

Wienerberger Ltd www.wienerberger.co.uk York Handmade Brick Company Ltd www.yorkhandmade.co.uk

The Brick Development Association is the national authority on clay bricks and pavers.

Our membership accounts for almost 100% of the sector’s productivity here in the UK. Our role is to communicate the collective interests of our members and to ensure their products remain the material of choice in the UK’s built environment.

The Brick Development Association brick@brick.org.uk 0207 323 7034

www.brick.org.uk

B Y U B

CK I R B

Roofing the World for Centuries 01248 600656 enquiries@welshslate.com welshslate.com St Pancras Station London

Diary Dates 2023

Thursday 5 October

Installation Court Meeting at Carpenters’ Hall, Installation and Annual Service at St Margaret Lothbury, Installation Luncheon at Carpenters’ Hall

Saturday 11 November

Lord Mayor’s Show (optional lunch venue tbc)

Monday 13 November

Members’ Informal Lunch at Ironmongers’ Hall

Thursday 14 December

Court Meeting at Armourers’ Hall, Carol Service at St Margaret Lothbury, Informal Supper at Armourers’ Hall

2024

29 March – 1 April

Easter Weekend

Thursday 18 April

Lord Mayor’s Big Curry Lunch

Tuesday 7 May

Clergy Support Trust Festival at St Paul’s Cathedral

Wednesday 8 May

Annual Guest Banquet at Merchant Taylors’ Hall

Thursday 6 June

Court Meeting, Court and Livery Luncheon with Masters and Clerks, at Brewers’ Hall

Monday 24 June

Common Hall Election of Sheriffs (optional lunch venue tbc)

Tuesday 25 – Thursday 27 June

Master’s Trip to York including a Craft Visit

Saturday 3 August

Charter Day Visit

Monday 22 January

Women’s Lunch at Ironmongers’ Hall

Monday 29 January 6pm

Common Hall via Zoom

Thursday 5 September

Court Meeting, Triennial Awards and Luncheon at Vintners’ Hall

Thursday 1 February

Court and Livery Dinner (no guests) at Cutlers’ Hall

September tbc

Tylers and Bricklayers’ Golf Day

Tuesday 13 February

Livery Pancake Race at the Guildhall

Monday 30 September

Common Hall Election of Lord Mayor (optional lunch venue tbc)

Friday 15 March

United Guilds’ Service at St Paul’s Cathedral (optional lunch at Carpenters’ Hall)

Thursday 3 October

Installation Court Meeting at Carpenters’ Hall, Installation and Annual Service at St Margaret Lothbury, Installation Luncheon at Carpenters’ Hall

Tuesday 19 March

Court Meeting and Craft Awards Luncheon at Goldsmiths’ Hall

This list gives the basic details of functions currently planned for the coming year – please note the dates.

Full information on these and any further events will be sent by the Clerk in good time to allow for bookings to be made.

Master Tyler and Bricklayer: Christopher Causer E: master@tylersandbricklayers.co.uk Upper Warden: Jennifer Rolls E: upperwarden@tylersandbricklayers.co.uk Renter Warden: Alan Dodd E: renterwarden@tylersandbricklayers.co.uk Deputy Master (Immediate Past Master): Professor John Schofield E: j8sxx@hotmail.com Deputy Master: Simon Martin E: srmartin17@outlook.com Clerk: Heather Smith E: clerk@tylersandbricklayers.co.uk

Follow us @Ts_and_Bs

The Worshipful Company of Tylers and Bricklayers The Clerk 25 Glenferrie Road St Albans AL1 4JT T: 07749 163430 E: clerk@tylersandbricklayers.co.uk www.tylersandbricklayers.co.uk The Review is published annually by the Upper Warden on behalf of the Worshipful Company of Tylers and Bricklayers Consulting Editor: David Williams E: Davidwilliams31266@gmail.com Photographer: Marcus Jamieson-Pond www.jampondphotography.com Design and Print: T: 01522 529591 E: sales@ruddocks.co.uk www.ruddocks.co.uk

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Tyle Brick Char