The Beadle – David Wylie

David Wylie – our Beadle

I left school at the age of 15 and started working for Molins Machine Company in Deptford as an apprentice engineer, attending South East London Technical College on day release three times a week. I was in the Design and Development Department of new cigarette making machines, then finally the Assembly Department.

I met my wife Gill in May 1969 and we were married in September 1972. My son Martin was born on 5 May 1976 and my daughter Claire on 25 August 1979.

In 1978, I gained employment at the Daily Telegraph in Fleet Street. I was promoted to Engineering Overseer prior to moving to Westferry Printers on the Isle of Dogs in 1986. There I was made Project Manager responsible for the installation of six new printing presses, then moving on to become Engineering Manager for the Press Hall.

In 1986, I joined Kent Special Constabulary and in 1989 was promoted to Section Officer at Swanley Police Station. Promotion to Area Officer at Gravesend Police Station followed in 1991 and I now even had my own office! I was responsible for the interviewing, training and welfare of 60 Special Constables.

My Chief Inspector twisted my arm to join the Kent Police Male Voice Choir; I really enjoyed my time with the Choir and was Concert Manager for three years prior to leaving.

In 2005, I trained as a Professional Toastmaster in Norwich and after a residential course passed my exams and was awarded my Certificate. I became Beadle to the Worshipful Company of Chartered Architects in 2007. This is where I first met David Cole-Adams who was the Clerk at that time.

In 2008, I took voluntary redundancy and the following year trained as a wedding/funeral celebrant.

It was around this time that I was interviewed for the position of Beadle to the Tylers and Bricklayers. A big thank to Ian Mitchell Grimshaw for approaching me.

2012 saw yet another move and training as I was ordained a Spiritualist minister.

In October 2019, I was elected and given the privilege of becoming the Chairman of the City of London Beadles Guild with an Election Dinner at Carpenters’ Hall, supported by a number of liverymen from the Tylers and Bricklayers and Chartered Architects.

In 2020, I was elected the Beadle for the Worshipful Company of Loriners due to the ill health of a very good friend of mine and fellow Beadle Ian Low. Many of you met him when he stood in for me on occasion. Unfortunately, Ian passed away in August 2020. This left a big hole in my life as we were so close. He was like a brother I never had.

As Beadle, sometimes you have to improvise to keep to the timings. This is one of my stories.

I had a Master who on a number of occasions would go over the allotted time given for his speech. I suggested that I have a bottle of water behind me and that I would touch his shoulder and pour a glass of water to let him know that he only had two minutes. He agreed. This I did on the first occasion when time was running short only for him to say out loud “The Beadle has poured me a glass of water so I have two minutes to finish and sit down”. One of life’s funny moments.

I must say it was good to be back with the family of Tylers and Bricklayers on Tuesday 22 June after such a long break due to the COVID-19 restrictions and we have had several functions since.

It is a privilege to be Beadle, especially to the Tylers and Bricklayers.

I wish the new Master all the very best for his delayed year. To the Worshipful Company of Tylers and Bricklayers, may it flourish, root and branch forever and, of course, Good Health to the Master!