Dear Fellow Lightmongers,
The past month has been busy with various activities where I have been representing the company. I have been a guest of the Worshipful Companies of Arbitrators, Architects, Painter-Stainers, Scriviners, Vintners, and the Old Bailey Judges (purely in a social capacity!). I have also attended both the CIBSE Building Performance and EDA awards.
The Architects presented an interesting lecture on the history of London and its street layout moving right up to today where 3D models of the city are used to preserve historic views through to St Pauls. The Scriviners presented awards for Calligraphy and Handwriting and it was interesting to see the craft of illuminating text is alive and well in the 21st century. The Painter-Stainers presented their annual awards for real life painting and the exhibition is still open at the Mall galleries until the 18th March.
Lynn Painter-Stainers exhibition at The Mall galleries
It was with much pleasure that I attended the Annual presentation by the City Liveries Construction Group for the Master, Journeyman and Apprentice awards by the Lord Mayor. Award winners were David Burns, Stuart Mucklejohn, David Player Tom Schwenke and Gracjan Slowinski It was good to see Tom and Gracjan receive their awards as they worked with me during their Apprenticeship. With recipients in each category we were prominent amongst the other companies presenting awards.
City Liveries Construction Group Awards at Merchant Taylors Hall
From left: Tom Schwenke, Gracjan Slowinski, The Master, David Burns, David Player
From our military affiliations I attended the mess dinner of 101 Squadron at Carver barracks out in the wilds of Essex. They have picked up some livery traditions such as the Loving Cup (except it keeps going round until it is empty) and some non-livery ones (an end of dinner chant) Hosted by CO Richard Hawkins, it was interesting to talk to the officers about their regimental duties which as a footnote includes disposing of the recent WW II bomb in London.
For those who didn’t attend you missed a fascinating Senior Wardens Reception at the Mechanical Music Museum in Kew now housed in its purpose built home. I first visited the collection in 1971 when it was housed in an old church. The new location is far more fitting for such a unique collection. We were given ‘performances’ from just part of the collection including the mighty Wurlitzer organ followed by supper. Maybe a return visit for a Tea dance or one of their themed evenings. The museum is mainly run by volunteers and visits such as ours helps to keep it running.
Our guide pedaling the player which activated the keys of the adjacent piano
Trelors School and College for disabled students was originally started by the Lord Mayor Sir William Purdie Treloar in 1907. The college is well supported by the City of London and I joined the Lord Mayor, Sherrifs and 50 other masters for their annual visit to see the students, staff and facilities. The visit can be summed up in one word Inspiring. It is almost impossible to describe the work that goes on there to support the severely disabled young people who attend and a visit is the only real way of gaining some understanding of the work of this special place. We were entertained by the school music group and also met David Smith who won Gold in Boccia at the Rio Paralympics. I was fascinated by the illuminated dome which is an inflatable space using light, sound, smell and pictures to support a teaching theme. Students can go inside for an immersive experience.
The Master and Mistress outside the inflatable dome during its ‘Space’ sequence.
City of London Luminaire design competition 2017
A reminder that the Luminaire design competition is now open for entries. Please encourage your local schools or universities to take part, details can be found via the following link.
Future events 2017
17th March – Members & Guests Dinner at Drapers Hall – Military – Awards Queens Colour Squadron – Closed
31st March – United Guilds St. Paul’s Cathedral + Lunch option -LIVERYMEN ONLY -places
27th April – Company Golf Day RAC Woodcote Park – team space available
14th June – NEW; Annual Lightmongers Lecture, Tallow Chandlers. Save the date
You will shortly be receiving information on this year’s Lightmongers Lecture on the 14th June 2017 on the theme of lighting up London
26th June – Election of sheriffs Guildhall – invitations out soon LIVERYMEN ONLY
7th July – Mansion House Summer Banquet – invitations out soon.
29th September – Junior Wardens Reception – save the date.
3rd November – Members only Dinner – Tallow Chandlers – save the date
Also, we are now on Facebook
www.facebook.com/Lightmongers
Michael Simpson
Master Lightmonger
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