Needlemakers Newsletter November 2023
FOREWARD This is the second newsletter in the new format. The first was well received and I think gave a significant improvement in readability. My thanks, and I am sure those of the Company, go to Valerie Wilkins for her work in implementing the new format. One difference in this format is that it does not support live links to other web addresses well. I have therefore included some of the news items from the website in full rather than simply including a link. In the final useful information section, I have given navigation information rather than a live link. This will be my last issue as the editor of the newsletter. I have enjoyed my time in the role, and I wish my successor, Liveryman Claire Cross, every success as she takes over the role. Mick Scotchmer
Photo by Kevin Zaouali
MASTER’S BLOG
The first from our new Master
Dear Liverymen and Friends, Suddenly my year as Senior Warden ends, and after a splendid Church Service, for which I give sincere thanks to our Bishop Christopher and to Sir Andrew Parmley for the music, followed by a delicious and most enjoyable Dinner at Vintners Hall, I am installed as your Master for the coming year. It has been an enormous pleasure and joy to work with and help John and Kim during their year, always interesting and always fun. I will try my very best to look after and grow our Livery, we are in a very good place. The atmosphere and joy at the Dinner last week were so encouraging. My aims are to continue the good work, to encourage New Members and with our Chair of Charities Past Master Pamela Goldberg to encourage all to give more generously to a generous Livery Company. So, as I get started, a new message arrives most days from the Clerk SAVE THE DATE so as a new boy I am saving the date. May I thank you all for your support and love it is much appreciated. Michael, Master.
MASTER’S BLOG
November 2023
PAST MASTER’S BLOG
July 2023
Welcome. I am beginning to reach the end of this wonderful appointment. As very little happens in the City in August, I have only this month, September and a little part of October before the Master Elect takes my place. Looking at the schedule, this month is going to be seemingly as busy as some of its predecessors. Monday 3rd July 2023 I am invited to attend the Graduation/Presentation of Certificates held at the Royal School of Needlework for those who have completed their courses. The ceremony is held in the gardens at Hampton Court Palace (and the Palace being closed on Monday we have the grounds to ourselves!) Susan KayWilliams’s assistant arranges for us to park in their reserved car parking and as a result the main gates of Hampton Court are thrown open
to us and we drive in splendid isolation all the way down the main drive! It is a privilege to be present at this Presentation of Certificates and thereafter to view the magnificent work on display. Many many hours are devoted to creating some flawless and very artistic pieces. It is wonderful to see Susan looking so much better after her recent illness. Tuesday 4th July 2023 I am invited to attend the Annual General Meeting of the Sheriffs’ and Recorder’s Fund held in No. 1 Court at the Old Bailey. The same evening, Kim and I attend the City Livery Club Banquet at Goldsmiths Hall. The venue and the evening are both memorable and we meet with many others known to us, both Liverymen of our own company, members of the City Livery Club and other Masters.
Wednesday 5th July 2023 Yet another meal! I am invited to lunch by the Glovers Company at their annual awards lunch held at Plaisterers Hall (Plaisterers is the largest Livery Hall in the City). The Master Glover Clive Hawkins presides and at the end of the meal the winners of the Glove Design competition for 2023 receive their awards I am also delighted to be the recipient of a wonderful pair of gloves! Thursday 6th July 2023 Kim and I arrive in London for breakfast in the Crypt of St Paul’s Cathedral. Today is the annual City Churches Walk organised by the Plumbers Company. As 2023 celebrates 300 years since the death of Sir Christopher Wren the focus is on Wren Churches. We are divided into two groups, each with a City of London guide. We visit ten
Wren churches in all, enjoying at the half-way point an excellent buffet lunch at St Magnus the Martyr at London Bridge and we finish with tea at All Hallows by the Tower. A fascinating and interesting day which teaches you that there are treasures hidden around every corner. Most of us unfortunately simply do not have the time to discover them. Every Church we visited is worthy of a further, more detailed visit. Maybe sometime next year!
Friday 7th July 2023 This evening Kim and I are guests at Apothecaries Hall for a reception held by the Worshipful Company of Builders Merchants. I must confess to being tired. I, or both of us, will have been out every single day this week! Tuesday 11th July 2023 Today is the date of our July Court meeting which will be followed by our own Annual Awards dinner. This year it is at Apothecaries Hall. Chosen for its outside courtyard, we attract a “full house” of Liverymen, guests, and award winners. The lengthy Court agenda culminating in the admission of Roy Hiatt means that we are somewhat delayed in joining our guests. We enjoy an excellent evening.
Alex Ho, our Guildhall School of Music Woodwind Competition winner, performs for us. We have our award winners from the Royal School of Needlework present, together with Lt. Colonel Nathan Horseman (newly appointed Commanding Officer of 3 Princess of Wales Royal Regiment) who introduces the recipients of the Needlemakers Sword and the Salerno Trophy. Also present is our Bursary student from the City of London School for Girls (Toluwani Agbedu) and a host of Liverymen some of whom we have not seen for some time and whom it is wonderful to have in our midst once again. The evening closes (eventually) with a Stirrup Cup.
Friday 14th July 2023
Tuesday 18th July 2023
Today I hold the third in my series of occasional Master’s lunches at Watermans Hall.
I have been invited by Sheriff Andrew Marsden to lunch with him at the Old Bailey, together with His Majesty’s Judges. (Less you imagine otherwise I am not invited alone). Other than Sheriff Marsden, there are 10 other guests including a Past Lord Mayor, the Lord Lieutenant of Greater London, Johnson Beharry VC, David Barrett recently retired as the Chairman of the Fellowship of Clerks and other notable individuals. Andrew gives a brief talk on the history of the ancient office of Sheriff before we sit down to lunch. Afterwards, we are invited to sit in one of the Courts to listen to the prosecution open its case in respect of a murder, a most interesting visit and one I am unlikely to repeat.
Co- hosted by the Senior Warden Elect Sue Sumners, six of us sit down to an excellent lunch, a combination of Court members, Liverymen and a new Freeman! An ideal opportunity for people to get to know each other better in relaxed circumstances.
Sunday 23rd July 2023 Kim and I are delighted to attend the Patronal Service at St James Garlickhythe. This is our second attendance at this service, (we stood in for the Immediate Past Master last year). St James is not only the Livery Church of the Needlemakers, but of a considerable number of other companies and we are joined by the Master Parish Clerk and the Master Glass Seller. After the service a wonderful lunch, (previously prepared) is laid out on tables in the nave of the Church and the event assumes a social dimension. St James numbers amongst its parishioners several Liverymen of the company with whom it is good to catch up.
Tuesday 25th July 2023 The Nominations Committee holds a zoom meeting. This is notable to comment on for two reasons: Firstly, that the work of committee members in the company is never confined purely to Committee days and secondly (particularly in my case) I don’t have to get on the train to go to London! Wednesday 26th July 2023 I am back at Apothecaries Hall yet again (my third visit this month). The happy event is to preside at an Admission Ceremony at which Sir Ian Dove and Paul Lay receive the Freedom of the Company and once having obtained their Freedom of the City, it is to be hoped that they will be admitted as Liverymen in January of next year. Following the Admission Ceremony, it is off to Vintners
Hall for me to attend the Worshipful Company of Distillers spirit tasting evening! (Yes, I know, I know but someone had to represent the Company!) Friday 28th July 2023 Kim and I, together with Past Master Andrew Whitton and Elizabeth attend the Investiture Ceremony held at the Mansion House by the Trustees of the League of Mercy. The purpose of this ceremony is to recognise hardworking volunteers who have given inordinately of their time, to help and improve the lot of many. Some 20 distinguished recipients receive their awards from Lord Lingfield. The Prime Warden of Goldsmiths Company is present together with the Master Upholder and his consort. Thereafter there is tea and an opportunity to speak with those receiving the awards.
Master’s Blog – August 2023 wonderful and detailed tour which took up a lot of her I know that some of you will consider that the city sleeps in morning and for which we were August, and nothing happens. most grateful. It expanded our understanding considerably. On Well, that’s true to an extent but your Master found himself departure, we were entrusted with business to complete that with a box of exhibits which are to be offered to the Worshipful could not be accommodated Company of Gold & Silver Wyre earlier. Drawers for the magnificent th Thursday, 10 August exhibition that they are mounting Kim and I travel to the Needle at the Guildhall in October. Museum at Redditch. Unable to join the visit in June organised by Industry Committee Chairman, Martyn Chase (I had three engagements in London that day), I was anxious to familiarise myself with the new proposals being made by the Industry Committee for the Museum. We were made most welcome by Jo-Ann, the curator (now a Freeman of the company) and she gave us a
Monday, 14th August I entertain the Master Elect to lunch. Clearly, if I told you all what we discussed, I would have to kill you all but suffice to say that the Master Elect elaborated on some of his plans for the coming year and I gave him what I hope will prove to be some helpful tips. Wednesday, 23 August rd
I entertain Bishop Christopher to lunch. This is a lunch that we have endeavoured to organise for many months. We hold a wide-ranging discussion which includes a conversation of our mutual love of the county of Cornwall and the deep satisfaction that he gains from “ministering” to us as a group of informal parishioners. He also informs me that after considerable thought he has determined to retire as Chaplain in August 2026. I comment that he hasn’t given us very much
time to cast around for his successor! Master’s Blog – September 2023 I return to duty after my month off! This is going to be another very crowded but wonderfully interesting month. Monday, 4th September Kim joins me and a group of some 40 other Livery Masters and Consorts on the Livery Halls Walk. We breakfast at Apothecaries Hall at 8.30. We are entertained to coffee at Ironmonger’s Hall; lunch at Pewterers; tea at Furniture Makers and finished at Southwark Cathedral at approximately 5.00 pm. In the intervening period we are conducted on a walk around all the Livery Halls in the City. Fortunately, it is a wonderful sunny day.
Unfortunately, all Masters walk gowned. I determine to wear the bonnet as it shields my head. Apparently, money changes hands as to whether I will take it off before the end of the day! Photographs are taken at each location.
Tuesday 5th September My last committee day. I attend meetings of the Finance & General Purposes Committee; the Master’s Advisory Group; and the Charity, Industry and Functions Committees. I am struck by the amount of work that is being undertaken. It shows me that the company is in good heart across all its committees, and I look forward to the progress that is to be made in the coming 12 months. Thursday 7th September Fiona, our Clerk, joins me for a lunch given by the Master Baker at Bakers Hall. This is a “Masters and Clerks” lunch and the Bakers generously entertain 23 other livery companies and their masters, together with members of their own Court. A splendid opportunity for masters to chat and for those recently having taken office to introduce themselves to us “old lags”. Friday, 8th September I hold by final Master’s Lunch of the year at Watermans’ Hall. I have had the pleasure of hosting four of these during my year and I do hope that those who have attended them have found them enjoyable both from a culinary and social standpoint. It is an opportunity for us to all get to know each other in a relaxed environment. It is my hope that my successor may continue these arrangements in his year.
Tuesday, 12th September The Master must work even on his birthday! I attend a meeting at Guildhall to conclude the arrangements for the setting up of the Past Masters’ Association for my year. These arrangements should have been concluded in Glasgow in June, however, for the first time ever due to a time-tabling faux pas, it did not occur. There is a consensus that we should become known as the Caroleans.
Thursday, 14th September I attend a Reception held by thanking him for his support and the City of London Chamber of wishing him well in his new Commerce; the main topic for parish. Lunch follows the service. the evening is climate change Tuesday, 19th September and we are addressed by Today we hold the Court Chris Hayward, Policy Meeting and Court Only dinner Chairman, City of London at Watermans Hall. Given the Corporation, and the Right amount that must be dealt with Honourable Sir Alok Sharma on the date of installation it MP. Many Masters gather and was determined some years we enjoy both an educational ago now that the October and social experience. Court meeting would be held in Sunday, 17th September September and adjourned to a Father Timothy Handley, short ceremonial meeting Parish Priest of our Livery immediately before the Church Church, St James service on the day of Garlickhythe, is moving on to installation. This system works a new parish. Today is his last well. Two new assistants are service at St James. Kim and admitted to the Court (Gill I attend, together with the Loftus and Martin Francis) and Senior Warden Elect and the reports of the various David. Sadly, there is little committees discussed. The representation from the other court gives its consent to Livery companies for whom St exploratory work being James acts as their Livery undertaken for the formation of church. I present Father Tim a new health group of with a card from the company companies.
After the meeting, (as tradition dictates), all badges of office are removed, and the Court dines alone. For me, one of the special meetings of the year which I have always enjoyed so much. The food provided by Mark Grove of The Cook & The Butler is well up to his usual standard. Wednesday, 20th September I am entertained by the Master Upholder at their September Court dinner at Haberdashers Hall. The weather on the day is simply terrible. It rains cats and dogs, and everyone is soaked by the time they arrive but the terrible weather outside is made up for internally by the warmth of the welcome and the splendid evening which includes musical entertainment. The only low point of the evening is leaving
and having to “swim back” to Farringdon station as the rain continues to deluge thanking him for his support and wishing him well in his new parish. Lunch follows the service. Thursday, 21 September The eating is not yet over! Your learned and gallant Clerk and I enjoy another Masters & Clerks lunch. This provided by the Worshipful Company of Masons and held in the wonderful Cutlers Hall. The Master Mason this year is none other than Sheriff Alistair King (and I thought that I had a busy year!). We enjoy a wonderful lunch and the conversation between the Masters inevitably turned to the impending departure of many of us. We have become firm friends during the year, and it will seem strange soldiering on as those we are used to having around us slip quietly away to be replaced by their successors
In the evening, I attend a lecture given by the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust which is held in the Grand Hall of the Old Bailey. The topic “From Industrial Revolution through Climate Evolution – Where Next?”. It proves to be very interesting and thoughtprovoking. Inevitably, more food and wine are also involved. Tuesday, 26th September I have been fortunate in having very few “diary clashes” this year, however, I find myself with two invitations this evening. The Prime Warden of the Goldsmiths Company has been good enough (through his consort) to invite Kim and me to the Master’s Reception at the Goldsmiths Fair and we are also invited to Draper’s Hall by commercial organisation in conjunction with City Giving Day. It is a difficult decision, and we initially considered we should visit both. However, the Livery wins out and we spend the evening in the company of the Goldsmiths and in viewing the wonderful items for sale at the Goldsmiths Fair (I am pleased to confirm that my credit card was not harmed while attending the Fair!).
Thursday, 28th September Kim and I attend the ceremony of the admission of the new Sheriffs at Guildhall. This is a ceremony that I have never previously witnessed. It is relatively simplistic, but it is enormously symbolic for those concerned as the outgoing Sheriffs stand down to be replaced by their successors. This year there are to be two Aldermanic Sheriffs, Dame Susan Langley and Alderman Bronek Masojada. The Master Insurer is “cock-a-hoop” for both are members of the insurance industry, and Liverymen of the Worshipful Company of Insurers. Given that the Lord Mayor is also (amongst other things) an Insurer, he rightly insists on historic photographs being taken outside Guildhall to record this special occasion. Friday, 29th September This will prove to be a very long day (yes, another one!). I arrive at Guildhall at approximately eight thirty in the morning to enjoy a splendid breakfast produced by Mark Grove of The Cook & The Butler in the Members’ Dining Room at the Guildhall Club. I join 60 or 70 other Masters and Clerks, who have all arrived to participate in the election of the Lord Mayor which is to occur later in the morning. After breakfast (at which we are presented with a celebratory coffee mug) we all retire to the Crypt of the Guildhall where our respective beadles arrive with our gowns. Once robed, all 111 of us are organised into a procession in order of precedence (youngest company first) and we process from the Crypt out of
Guildhall and across Guildhall Yard to the Guild Church of St Lawrence Jewry next to Guildhall (The Guild Church of the Corporation) for divine service prior to the election of the Lord Mayor. It is a very splendid sight. The Lord Mayor, the newly installed Sheriffs together with the Court of Aldermen, the Livery Masters robed and at the back, some of our consorts who have been lucky enough to find space, enjoy a moving service. We also can view the splendour of the recently cleaned and restored building.
The service over, we process directly to Guildhall for the formal election of the Lord Mayor. As we are now aware, the result of the election falls on Alderman Michael Mainelli (World Trader) who will become the 695th Lord Mayor for the City of London in November. Michael Shapiro the Master World Trader (who has become a very good friend of mine) is bursting with pride. Following the election, I return to Stationers Hall for the lunch following the election at which I am pleased to see that as a Livery, we have two tables of attendees (more than several other Livery companies). It is always fun when many Liveries meet and lunch together, there is great interchange of friendly rivalry and the opportunity to catch up with each other. After lunch, my day is not over. In the evening Kim and I
are invited by the Guildhall School of Music and Drama to the Principal’s Guest Night concert at the Barbican. By great coincidence we are welcomed by Liveryman John Ryan’s daughter in law . We enjoy a wonderful concert and make it home at a reasonable hour notwithstanding the work to rule on the trains. Master’s Blog – October 2023 If you have read as far as October, I am deeply impressed. There is only a little more to go! Wednesday, 4th October 2023 I, together with the Wardens, attend Evensong organised by the Musicians Company at St Paul’s Cathedral. This evening has been run by the Musician’s Company for many, many years. Happily, it is clearly very well supported by other
Masters and Companies. Once again, we are to process gowned (my last appearance in the magnificent master’s Gown that has drawn such attention from other Masters during my year). It is also the last occasion on which I and my “wingmen” will process together. We have had an excellent working relationship through the year,
and I wish them both well as they move on to occupy the positions of Master and Senior Warden respectively. After a wonderful service, there is inevitably a reception in the Crypt where we are joined by Kim and David Sumners. Thursday, 5th October 2023 Installation Day!
Installation Day! Without question, the most important day of the Company’s year. The Court meets at 5.00pm for a short symbolic meeting at which Mark Brailsford is admitted to the Court to join Gill Loftus and Martin Francis, admitted during the earlier part of the meeting held in September. I advise the Court of the decision communicated to me by Bishop Christopher of his intention to retire, albeit in 2026. I have the pleasure of admitting to the Livery Ginny Turner. After the Court, we move upstairs for the Court photograph to be taken.
There is more ’herding of cats’ as the beadle does his very best to organise us in “processional order” for the procession to St James Garlickhythe. Unusually we are early, and we therefore walk the long way round to the fascination of tourists and city workers unfamiliar with livery companies! Bishop Christopher greets us at St James in the absence of an incumbent (and conducts the whole of the service, details of which you already have.) Having personally arranged the music and the hymns (a little indulgently) I particularly enjoy the service and the opportunity to sit and listen to Widor’s Toccata at the end of the service, only leaving after Andrew Parmley has concluded his execution of this wonderful piece of music.
Happily, but sadly, this dinner was considerably oversubscribed. Whilst I am delighted to find so many members of the Company wishing to attend the event, it is sad that not everybody could be accommodated. Next year we shall move to Painter Stainers Hall which is larger. After the reception and the procession into dinner, I welcome Alderman Alexander Barr who will from now on be our “contact Alderman” and we look forward to seeing him on a regular basis. I report on the Court and during the musical interval, we are entertained by the magnificent playing of Kathryn McGuiness (the runner-up in our Guildhall School of Music & Drama Woodwind Competition in the Summer). After the toast comes the important part of the evening as we install Michael Foulkes, Susan Sumners and Nick Macrae Master, Senior Warden,
and Junior Warden for the coming twelve months. I wish all three of them every success, particularly our new Master. It is such a special job and such a privilege to hold it. Note from the Master Those of you who know me well will know how very much I have enjoyed the honour of representing you this year as your Master. It has indeed been a very busy but fabulous year and I shall never forget it. It is important, that you should have received the opportunity to learn what I have been up to. This would not have been possible without our Editor and all of the Communications Team within the Company who give up their time voluntarily to enable this communication to take place. I place on record my thanks to all of them. John Mill – October 2023 Regards. John Mill.
Redditch Needle Museum Redditch remains the UK’s centre for needlemaking and the Company visited on Tuesday 27 June. We first visited the Needle Museum for lunch: the main purpose is to start a new conversation between Freeman Jo-Ann Gloger, Curator of the Museum, Liveryman Susan Kay-Williams (CEO Royal School of Needlework) and Sue Cole, General Manager of Entaco. We discussed many opportunities to work together going forward, prompted by Past Master Pamela Goldberg (Chair, Charity Committee) and Past Master Martyn Chase (Chair, Industry Committee). We toured the Museum to review the displays and in particular where Needlemakers financial support may be beneficial. The story of needlemaking (featured in our film ‘Art and Mystery of Needlemaking’) is most interesting but the ‘needlemakers’ themselves, especially the lady mannequins are showing their age (!). We are investigating the cost of renewing. The display of needles upstairs would benefit from new signage and explanatory panels. Liveryman Angie Lewis (Hon Archivist) is discussing the digitising of the wealth of historic records of needlemaking held by the Museum.
Entaco (the English Needle and Fishing Tackle Company) was formed in 1932 as a combination of needlemakers who can trace their history back 300 years. They are one of the last needle manufacturers in the UK and Sue Cole hosted us for a tour of her factory, which is located not far from the Museum. Dave Gibbs, Production Manager and Bernie Brown, Sales Manager have a combined service of nearly 47 years – Dave allowed us very near his precious machines as you can see from the photos: the process seems to have hardly changed from the Museum displays. Bernie, as well as bravely hosting the Senior Warden’s pooch in her office, showed us the packaging and marketing of our familiar needle brands – John James and Milwards – and numerous medical devices which are key to the future of the business.
We look forward to welcoming Sue and colleagues to a Needlemakers event next year and we are investigating whether we may support a needlemaker apprentice at Entaco in future. MARTYN CHASE
Needlemakers Visit to Gold and Silver Wyre Drawers (GSWD)Exhibition 24th October 2023 A Needlemakers’ group visited the Guildhall exhibition to mark the 400th anniversary since the GSWD were granted their first royal charter under King James I. GSWD still supports the ancient wire trade and provides awards for outstanding workmanship in modern usage of gold and silver wire and thread. The exhibition commences with a display of the livery’s treasure including silverware and a beautifully embroidered sampler of their coat of arms made by 5 court assistants in 1923. The sampler demonstrates the range of techniques of drawn wire used in embroidery. One of the earliest examples on display is the Bacton Altar cloth made from the only surviving dress of Elizabeth I. The dress was given to Blanche Parry, Chief Gentlewoman to the Queen who worked for her for 56 years before retiring to village of Bacton. The dress was later recycled into an Altar cloth. With the coronation of Charles III so recently in mind it was wonderful to see some of the detailed and highly skilled work used in ceremonial dress for State occasions. On display were Yeoman of the Guard State dress, Queen Mary’s coronation dress, coats belonging to the State Trumpeters, robes belonging to the British orders of chivalry and Charles Dickens’s Court Suit.
In the Ecclesiastical section we were pleased to see two of the copes restored with donations from our own charity fund. Needlemakers may remember that the Prussian Cope and the Queen’s Silver Jubilee cope were featured in the recent exhibition at St Paul’s Cathedral and are now on display alongside other vestments and chalice veils.
Epaulettes, gold braid and tassels feature heavily in the military section. It was easy to see how officers required the assistance of a batman to dress them when donning parade and mess dress. Costumes used in the performing arts brought us up to date. Exhibits included: the tutu worn by Darcey Bussell in a performance of ‘Sylvia’, designs based on Norman Hartnell gowns for the Netflix series The Crown and stage costumes worn by David Tennant and Helen Mirren featuring gold thread to create strong visual effects. The final section showcased gold and silver wire used in artwork. The astounding creativity and dexterity of embroidery from the Royal School of Needlework and metal work and jewellery made by GSWD and members of the Goldsmiths Company was truly inspirational. We thank Karen Watts, who curated the exhibition, for arranging our most enjoyable visit. Pippa Rousselet, Court Assistant
Visit to Royal College of Surgeons 2023 On November 26th 15 Needlemakers accompanied by The Master enjoyed a most interesting visit to The Royal College which was founded in 1800. In recent years it has been extensively rebuilt following war time bomb damage. It now provides education, research, assessment, examinations and development to surgeons at all stages of their careers. It offers the U K ‘s most advanced surgical teaching techniques in the world including the latest robotic-assisted operations. We were most fortunate to observe practical training first-hand for one of its many courses. Many of us were surprised to hear how much each individual has to pay for courses to advance their surgical training. When the college was founded the government bought the 14,000 animal and human specimens in the museum of the late surgeon and anatomist John Hunter. The Royal College was given custody of the collection on the understanding that it was available to medics. Unfortunately, much of this collection was destroyed during the war but 2,000 fascinating specimens and historical surgical instruments are now beautifully displayed in the now-famous Hunterian Museum which is available and free to all members of the public. Book online and a donation is appreciated. I could recommend anyone to visit the museum at Lincolns Inn Fields and be fascinated by the exhibits.
The Master said the tour of the College was quite amazing, most interesting, fascinating and enjoyable. And he gave thanks to the hosts.
Visit to City of London Girls School I recently had the privilege of visiting the City of London School for Girls, and I wanted to provide you with a brief overview of the visit. From the moment I stepped foot into the first lesson I observed, I was immediately struck by the modern use of technology that permeates every aspect of the school's environment. The seamless integration of technology into the curriculum was truly impressive. The school has achieved a fantastic balance of maintaining the core skills of education while providing students with an environment that encourages innovation and prepares them for the challenges of the digital age. However, what truly stood out during my visit was the character of the students. The level of intellect, curiosity, and maturity displayed by the students was truly impressive. Their precociousness and enthusiasm for learning were evident in every interaction I had with them. It is a testament to the exceptional quality of education and the nurturing atmosphere that the City of London School for Girls provides. Furthermore, the school achieved this while maintaining a warm and welcoming atmosphere throughout. It's clear the dedicated staff and supportive environment contribute significantly to the personal growth and development of each student, fostering not just academic excellence but also the building of strong character.
I believe that all of the above is most evident in our new Needlemaker scholar. Despite being only a few weeks into her A-Levels, she was confident, focused, and engaging. I believe she will be a fantastic addition to the notable scholars who have preceded her. Joshua Parker
New Liveryman
At the October Court Meeting Liveryman Ginny Turner was clothed.
USEFUL INFORMATION
Website news items Current news items are to be found in the website’s public area. Recent additions include: •
Gold and Silver Wyre Drawers Exhibition
•
Visit to the Royal College of Surgeons
•
Arkwright Awards Ceremony
Also in the Member’s area: •
Livery and City Briefings
Company Email addresses The Company Contact Details section in the Company section of the website members area contains the Email addresses of those with positions in the Company.
Future Events Future events are on the website’s Events page, which outlines each event and booking details.
Next Newsletter Our next newsletter will be at the end of March 2023.