The Worshipful Company of
BlacksmithsNewsletter
50th IssueAugust 2017
Published by
The Publicity and Public Relations CommitteeWorshipful Company of Blacksmiths 9 Little Trinity Lane, London EC4V 2AD
Tel: 020 7248 1861
www.blacksmithscompany.org
EditorCharlotte Teale
“I’ve managed to obtain twotickets to the Service!” Whata welcome message we
received from our good friend, JaneOliver, wife of past Prime WardenAdrian Oliver, back in March. Wewould be visiting England as part of abusiness trip to Amsterdam and Janehad been scrambling for two extratickets for this prestigious City event.
When we were advised that thedress was “lounge suit”, my husbandwas a little concerned, because here inGeorgia, that sounds like somethingJohn Travolta wore in “Saturday NightFever”. After some research, I wasrelieved to find out that lounge suitwas synonymous with business suit.Relief!
At the appointed hour, weapproached beautiful St. Paul’s andenjoyed the spectacle of hundreds ofguests and the Liverymen, in all theirfinery, entering the Cathedral. Afterthe service, we had a delicious lunchat the Painters and Stainers Hall,where the sunlight poured throughthe lovely stained glass windows. Wehave now been fortunate to attendseveral Blacksmiths’ events, and we
saw and spoke with several of theBlacksmiths we had met previously.As always, they were kind andwelcoming to their American visitors.
It is often said that the British “do”ceremony better than anyone else in the wide world, and we wereexcited and honoured to witness thismagnificent showcase of tradition atone of the world’s great historiclandmarks. Well done!
Jake and Phyllis Shepherd– Newnan, Georgia
2
Introduction to the Editor
Iam proud to be the daughter,granddaughter, niece and sister of Liverymen of the Worshipful
Company of Blacksmiths. I am alsoproud to be the first female Liverymanin the family! I have been enjoying thesuperb hospitality of the WorshipfulCompany since my brother and Iattended the Annual Carol Services aschildren. I became a Freeman of theCity during my Father, Adrian Oliver’syear as Prime Warden and joined theCompany in 2016. My ‘apprenticeship’has so far included a variety ofinteresting roles. During my Father’syear as Prime Warden I rememberbeing asked to construct a presentationbox for the beautiful rose made
by Michelle Parker for the Lord Mayor, Dame Fiona Woolf, just as we were about to depart for the Annual Banquet! Having successfullycompleted this challenge I then foundmyself pedalling the Prime Warden in a rickshaw through the streets ofLondon at last year’s Lord Mayor’sShow.
Editing the Company Magazine is the current (and slightly moreconventional) challenge. In this I amfortunate to be working under theguidance of Past Prime Warden NigelWhitehead.
I would like to take this opportunityto thank Merv for all his hard work onthe Newsletter for the past 4 years.
I hope I will be equal to this newchallenge, but the readers will be thejudge of that and I welcome yourfeedback.
Cover Page Image Details – Liveryman & Family forging under the watchful eye of David Mortimer and Steve Miller at FirebirdForge, Sussex. Photos from the forge-in courtesy of Clive Richardson.
Charlotte Teale
www.facebook.com/groups/702009586614867 @Tweeting_Hammer blacksmithscompany.org
ContentsIntroduction to the Editor 2
Two Georgia Colonials at the UnitedGuilds Service 2
The New Prime Warden – Jash Joshi 3
Blacksmith Awarded the Freedom of the City of London 4
A ‘Late’ Tribute to Bob Hobbs FWCBand Gold Medal Holder 5
Tributes Paid to Talented BlacksmithShaun Donaghy 5
A Summary of the Civic Structure of theCity of London 6
The Epiphany Lunch 2017 7
South of England Show 8
Extract from ‘Song Of Myself’ 8
Blacksmith’s Charitable Trust 9
The Swan Migrates 10
A Year of Privilege, Fun and Responsibility 11
The Ladyday Lunch 2017 12
Princess Diana Prestigious Signage 12
North Somerset Show 2017 13
Clifford Champion Dinner 13
Tribute to Richard Jones FWCB 14
Obituaries 14
New Liverymen 15
Clerk’s Corner 15
Diary of Events 2017-18 16
Show Dates 2017 16
Caption Competition 16
The Company Shop 16
Two Georgia Colonials at theUnited Guilds Service
Jane Oliver and Phyllis Shepherd
At the Election Court held on 27th July at VintnersHall, Jashvantrai Joshi B.Sc (Hons) (better known tous as Jash) was elected to serve as Prime Warden for
the ensuing year. Jash became a Liveryman of the Companyin 2004. He was born in Blantyre, Malawi and settled inLondon with his family after being forcibly ejected fromMalawi in 1970. He is married to Pravina and has a son andtwo grandchildren.
Having graduated with a degree in Chemistry, Jash wenton to establish an export business in London with his fatherin 1972. After a difficult start and following the fall of theIron Curtain in 1989, the business expanded into EasternEurope – in particular Romania, where he set up offices inBucharest. He went on to install off-shore oil platforms forthe oil industry of Romania and accomplished other majorprojects. Subsequently he branched out in business in theUnited States of America with an enterprise renting andsterilising surgical instruments for the health industry.
Jash served as the Secretary-General of an organisationrepresenting the Gujarati community of Britain, the NCGO,at a time of great sensitivity for this community, liaising ontheir behalf with embassies and arranging for the ChiefPolice Commissioner and local MPs to address delegates atNCGO conferences. He brought in the Indian HighCommissioner to help with visa problems for British Indianstravelling to India. He was also instrumental in setting upthe Federation of Brahmin Associations of Europe.
Together with his two sisters and brother-in-law, Jashformed the Joshi Foundation which pays the school feesfor around three hundred and fifty children from villagesin the area his parents came from in Gujarat. At itsformation it was decided to run the programme for
twenty years, it now being in its eleventh year. Theprinciple behind the establishment of the Charity was tohelp poor farmers and villagers who could not affordschool fees for their children (who would be removedfrom school to help in the fields). The first to suffer insuch circumstances were invariably the girls. By paying the school fees the Charity hopes to remove the financialburden from the farmers and villagers thereby enablingtheir daughters to continue with their studies.
Jash is also a member of the Society of LondonRagamuffins which helps provide financial and othersupport to those from a poor background, mainly in the City of London.
Jash is an active committee member of Coleman StreetWard Club, he travels extensively, reads, swims and is anavid cricket fan.
3
The New Prime Warden – Jash Joshi
Prime Warden Jash Joshi
Jash & Pravina
Photography by Michael O’Sullivan
4
Blacksmith and former Delabole Resident, isAwarded the Freedom of the City of London
The Cornish Blacksmith has beena formidable figure throughouthistory – from Michael Joseph,
one of the prominent leaders of theCornish rebellion in 1497, to theblacksmiths who helped buildTrevithick’s first steam locomotive –there has been a long succession ofskilled smiths, who have helped toshape the fortunes and prosperity oftheir beloved county.
Modern day blacksmith, Brian Hill,first picked up a hammer at the tenderage of seven, when he started workingwith his father, Ronald ‘Docker’ Hill,the resident blacksmith and engineerat the Delabole slate quarry, earningthe nickname, ‘young Docker’.
Brian continued to work eveningsand weekends for his father until hewas 15, when, in his own words, he started out on his own, securing an apprenticeship with Camelengineer ing and attending Cambornetechnical college.
He has worked ever since, and, nowinto his seventh decade, proudlyboasts that he has never been out ofwork since leaving school.
His skill and dedication has beenacknowledged with him beingrecommended to become a Liverymanof the Worshipful Company ofBlacksmiths of London.
Part of that process involvedreceiving the freedom of theWorshipful Company of Blacksmiths,which then made him eligible to applyfor the Freedom of the City of London.
Brian received his Freedom of theCity at a ceremony at the Guildhall inLondon in early April, and waspresented with his certificate bydeputy clerk to the Lord Chamberlain,Laura Miller.
Brian said: “Although my motherand father are no longer with us, I feelthat they would have been extremelyproud; my mum was a true cockney,brought up in London within thesound of Bow Bells, and my dad wasthe one who introduced me to thetrade and gave me the inspiration tobecome a blacksmith.”
An avid champion of the craft of the blacksmith, Brian supports theNational Blacksmiths competition by stewarding at several of theparticipating agricultural shows, andeven ran the competition at the RoyalCornwall Show in 2013 with his son,Jason, saving the event from closurethat year.
He now works from his forge in the pretty Dorset village of RhymeIntrinseca and although extremelybusy still manages to find time to runan after-school club once a week forstudents at a secondary school inYeovil, where he previously worked as a part-time technician for 15 years,until his first attempt at retiring, whichlasted a few weeks.
Retirement was not for him and he was soon snapped up by Kingston Maurward College inDorset, where he became a part-time lecturer in blacksmithing andwelding and has taught there for thepast six years.
Although no longer living inCornwall, his roots are very firmlyplanted in the county of his birth. He is proud to be a Cornishman andstill spends a great deal of his timevisiting family and friends at everyopportunity.
He will be admitted the livery of theWorshipful Company of Blacksmithsin October this year at a ceremony at their awards lunch, held in London.
Brian Hill receiving his certificate from Laura Miller, Deputy Clerk to the Lord Chamberlain
Simon Grant-Jones FWCB, LWCB
5
Excerpt from an article in the Kent & Sussex Courier 15 March 2017
Written By Debbie King
The lives of a talented youngblacksmith and a well-knownchef were cut tragically short in
[a] fatal crash in Uckfield.The pair, named locally as Shaun
Donaghy, 22, and his friend AmyNovkovic, 27, who both came fromUckfield, died at the scene of theaccident in Eastbourne Road,Ridgewood.
Staff at Plumpton College in Lewes,where Mr Donaghy was a studentuntil 2015, described their shock andsadness at the loss of a young life withso much promise.
His tutor, Ricky Delaney said MrDonaghy had been an outstandingstudent who won the top student of the year award and the MichaelBloomstien prize for jewellery.
“Shaun had a determined spirit andwould try always to achieve highstandards within his work. He was atthe start of a very promising careerand will be missed greatly by all thatknew him,” he said.
“Shaun achieved a certificate ofcompetence from the WorshipfulCompany of Blacksmiths and wasrespected within the wider black -smithing community as a talenteddesigner and blacksmith and also assomeone who was friendly, helpfuland full of fun.”
Mr Delaney said there were nowplans to create a forged gate, designedby Mr Donaghy before his death,which would be kept as a permanentmemorial at his forge in Glynde. He said only last May Mr Donaghy set up his own blacksmith businessafter finishing an apprenticeship inHorsmonden.
Tributes Paid to Talented Blacksmith Shaun Donaghy
There has always been a greataffinity between the Guild ofWrought Iron Craftsmen of Wessex
and the Worshipful Company ofBlacksmiths. This year has been very sadfor both organisations. Firstly, there wasthe death of Bob Hobbs, whose funeraltook place on 6th February. Bob was amember of the Guild and the WorshipfulCompany. Bob’s death was closelyfollowed by the death of Betty Hall, amember of the Wessex Guild and morerecently by the death of Richard Jones AWCB who was alsoa member of both the Worshipful Company and the WessexGuild. I feel, along with others, that because of so muchsadness the death of Bob has inadvertently been put on theback burner. This is why I am writing this late, late tributeto Bob with the help of Norman Rose.
Bob Hobbs was a quiet and unassuming smith with a vastknowledge and tremendous forging skills, which weresecond to none. One of the proudest days for him was in 2005 when he was awarded the Gold Medal of theWorshipful Company of Blacksmiths, one of only five in thehistory of the Company at that time. Bob was whollycommitted to the Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths andalways a great ambassador for the Company.
In the mid 1980s Bob was commissioned to restore thegates at North Mimms, which was a big challenge. Amongstthe unusual leaves and scrolls Bob also made ten cherubswhich were truly lovely work. For the construction of the
gates he was nominated for and receivedhis Bronze medal. Bob was not only avery good blacksmith but he was also anengineer. He restored traction enginesand worked on his Rolls Royce with hisfriend Arthur Sheppard.
I first met Bob in 1995 when he joinedthe Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths.He went on to become Master of theWessex Guild at the same time that I hadbeen elected Prime Warden. This meantthat we spent much time in one another’s
company attending functions and shows. One of thehappiest memories for me and Sylvia was when we wereguests of honour at the Guild AGM at Cannington.
Bob’s funeral was attended by a great number of family,friends and smiths. It was presided over by Sandra whomanaged to say a few words of thanks to all those present.Sandra had also arranged for an exhibition of Bob’s work tobe on display. For many years Bob had attended the NorthSomerset Show, but as it was impossible for him to attendthis year Sandra came as his representative. It was lovely tosee her there and everyone appreciated the effort she madein attending.
The last words go to Hector Cole FWCB with an extractfrom his tribute at Bob’s funeral, “. . . he [Bob] was ablacksmith, engineer, designer, a quiet man, he was smartin appearance whether in overalls or best mufti and a truegentleman.”
Goodbye my friend and Rest in Peace.
A ‘Late’ Tribute to Bob Hobbs FWCB and Gold Medal HolderBy Past Prime Warden Hugh Adams CWCB with contributions from Norman Rose AWCB
Photography by Michael O’Sullivan
6
A Summary of the Civic Structure of the City ofLondon
The civic system adopted by the City of London isunique. The City of London has the world’s oldestcontinuing municipal democracy (dating at least from
the time of William the Conqueror, and almost certainlyconsiderably before him – the office of Sheriff dates fromSaxon times). Over the centuries, it has evolved many timesin order to adapt to changed circumstances, often keepingthe same nomenclature, despite the modernisation. As such,it can appear somewhat anachronistic. A summary of theindividual elements of the civic City of London may assist inunderstanding how the pieces fit together in 2017.
Over the centuries, the City of London has oftenbargained with the monarch of the day in order to beallowed to regulate its own affairs. This exceptionalism washard won by the City, often in return for supporting themonarch monetarily in foreign adventures overseas.Although the loans advanced by the City merchants to themonarch for overseas wars etc. were often not repaid, themerchants were able to keep their own system of governancein the Square Mile.
At the summit of this system of governance is the Rt Hon.The Lord Mayor of London. So far there have been 689 LordMayors since 1189, of whom only two have been women.His or her term is one year, during which he or she occupiesthe Mansion House in the City and is the ambassador for UKfinancial services around the world. The Lord Mayor spendspart of the term travelling potential markets for UK financialservices, seeking to encourage our financial partners, forinstance, to finance their infrastructure or raise their equityor debt in London or in the UK. The Lord Mayor also hostsforeign Heads of State, politicians, businesspeople anddignitaries in order to promote trade with the UnitedKingdom. The Lord Mayor also has a range of otherceremonial roles, including acting as Chief Magistrate of theCity of London, Admiral of the Port of London, Rector of
City University of London, President of Gresham College,President of City of London Reserve Forces and CadetsAssociation, and Trustee of St Paul’s Cathedral. The LordMayor is chosen from the Court of Aldermen, of which morebelow.
The Lord Mayor also presides over the Court of CommonCouncil – formally referred to as the “Mayor, Aldermen andCommons of the City of London Assembled”. This ‘court’is the local assembly for the City of London. The City ofLondon Corporation (the local authority for the City) isanswerable to the Court of Common Council. It has two
parts – the Common Council (100members) and the Court of Aldermen (25members). These 125 members representthe City of London’s 25 divisions or“Wards”. Voters in each Ward elect oneAlderman (every six years) and a varyingnumber of Common Councilmen (everyfour years). The number of CommonCouncilmen for a Ward depends on thenumber of voters – the smallest Wards electtwo members, the largest ten. CommonCouncilmen are called CommonCouncilmen, regardless of their gender.Uniquely, voters are drawn from bothresidents and businesses located in theWards.
The Lord Mayor and the two Sheriffs arechosen by Liverymen meeting at CommonHall. Sheriffs, who serve as assistants to theLord Mayor, are either Aldermanic Sheriffs(ie they come from the Court of Alderman)
or Non-Aldermanic Sheriffs (ie they come from the Liverycompanies of London). It is necessary to serve as anAldermanic Sheriff in order then to become Lord Mayor.During their term of office the Sheriffs reside at the OldBailey. This role for the Sheriff is dervied from the fact that theCity of London Corporation is responsible for a largepercentage of the budget for the Central Criminal Court (iethe Old Bailey).
Thus, we Liverymen of the Livery Companies of the Cityof London such as the Worshipful Company of Blacksmithsplay a considerable part in this system. We help to elect theSheriffs; we help to choose the non-Aldermanic Sheriff, weassist in approving the Lord Mayor and most members ofthe Court of Common Council (both Common Council andthe Court of Alderman) are Liverymen. The Lord Mayor andthe Sheriffs spend a considerable part of their tenureattending the functions of many of the Livery companies inthe City.
The system is not one that would be devised today.Nevertheless, it has stood the test of time and shown itsadaptability in times of change. The proof is in the pudding– under this system, the City of London Corporation is oftenfound to be one of the best local authorities in the UnitedKingdom on a number of performance measures.
Alastair King, Alderman, Court Assistant
7
The Epiphany Lunch 2017
This year’s Epiphany Lunch tookplace on board HQS Wellington on 19th January 2017. The ship ispermanently moored on the RiverThames at the Victoria embankmentsteps adjacent to Temple UndergroundStation. HQS was originally a RoyalNavy vessel and is now the home ofthe Honourable Company of MasterMariners.
The Company of Master Marinerswas founded in 1926 and in 1928 HM George V bestowed the titleHonourable on the Company - arare and signal honour. Liverystatus conferred by the Court ofAldermen in 1932, was the firsttime in over 200 years that theancient doors of the Guildry ofLondon had been opened to anew Company.
On a somewhat cold but very sunny Tuesday, Liverymenand guests were invited aboardby our Prime Warden RichardRegan OBE and pre-lunchdrinks were held on thequarterdeck or “poop deck”which provided a marvellousplatform for river views of the City of London including St Pauls Cathedral, the Shard,the London Eye and the Houses ofParliament.
Principal guests were Dr DerekAdams, Master of the WorshipfulSociety of Apothecaries and Mr AlanCulverhouse Master of the WorshipfulCompany of Wheelwrights.
Lunch was provided below decks in
the main Court Room which was oncethe ship’s engine room. This room nowpresents various marine memorabiliaincluding paintings, charts and theMaster Mariners’ collection of silverand gold set into cabinets in the woodpanelling.
The ‘being afloat’ experience wasnoticed by several diners as passingvessels resulted in wave motions,which may have been exacerbated bythe excellent wine that was providedfor lunch.
Prime Warden Richard Regan OBEproposed the Loyal and Civic toasts,and subsequently introduced fivenewly appointed Liverymen; AndrewRenwick, Anthony Wright, HectorRobb, Nicholas Gull and SimonBannister.
The Prime Warden proposed a toastto the guests responded to by theMaster Apothecary with a toast to theBlacksmiths’ Company. The Father, Mr Rodney Lyons proposed a toast to the Prime Warden, followed by amini quiz the answer to which was“Longfellow” with a bottle of wine forthe winner. We all enjoyed an excellentlunch with a maritime flavour.
Continuing with the maritimetheme it is important to understandwhen is a boat a ship or vice versa.According to some authorities a boat,
generally speaking, is small enough to be carried aboard a larger vessel,
and a vessel large enough tocarry a smaller one is a ship.Thus HQS Wellington is aship.
HMS Wellington was built at Devonport Dockyard in1934. She was a Grimsby classwarship (sloop) and earlier inher career patrolled the watersaround New Zealand.
During World War II HMSWellington was recalled toperform convoy escort duties inthe Atlantic and was active atDunkirk and the North Africanlandings. At the end of the warshe was retired and laid up atPembroke Dock.
In 1947 HMS Wellington wasmade available by the Admiralty to the Honourable Company of MasterMariners who bought her to beconverted into their floating LiveryHall. As HQS Wellington she arrivedat Victoria Embankment in 1948, HQS being the designation for “HeadQuarters Ship”.
In 2005 ownership was transferredto the Wellington Trust, a charitabletrust established to ensure thepreservation of this historic vessel.
HQS Wellington has a superbcollection of model ships coveringcenturies of naval history, pricelessmaritime paintings, marine antiquesand artefacts including the ship’s bellof the oil tanker USS Ohio whichwas famous for delivering her cargoto the beleaguered island of Malta in1942 against all the odds.
Jim Cook, Court Assistant
When is Epiphany, or the 12th day of Christmas? Epiphany falls on6th January and marks the official end to the festive season and canextend until Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent for some
churches. It also marks the visit to the baby Jesus by The Magi (three wise men).
Photography by Michael O’Sullivan
Extract from ‘Song Of Myself’ by the greatAmerican Poet Walt Whitman (1819-1892)
8
South of England Show 2017 David Skinner AWCB
Whitman, a humanist, was never a blacksmith butspent many hours keenly observing craftsmen
in and around the suburbs of his native New York City,
so closely in fact, that he is quoted as saying, “Looking in atthe shop - windows of Broadway the whole forenoon,fattening the flesh of my nose on the thick plate glass…….”
This year, 2017, was the 50th anniversary of the South of England show and it started in a splendidway with the visit of Her Royal Highness, The
Duchess of Cornwall. Although I did not see it myself I amreliably informed that the Duchess knighted Farmer Gileswith a leek!
For once the weather was kind: although it was a bitwindy it was not too hot and it did not rain so there was ageneral feeling of good humour across the show.
The Blacksmiths were represented by a fine display of ironwork and a live forging area where the
competition was to makea hinge. The judging wasdone by Wendy AlfordAWCB and TerrenceClark FWCB.
It was good to see theBlacksmiths back at theshow after a short periodof absence. Well done to David Mortimer fororganising it. David tellsme he will be back at theshow next year and hehopes it will be an evenbigger and better display.
Not only was it the 50thanniversary of the showbut it was also the 40thanniversary of the YoungCraftsman of the Yearcompetition which is heldon the showground at thesame time.
The categories for this are Woodwork, Metalwork,Ceramics, Textiles and Design & Technology. If after Brexitwe have to rely on our craftsmen then there are plenty in thepipeline for us to turn to.
The standards in this competition were extremely high.First prize in the metalwork section went to a contemporarybed while the overall winner was a modern dresser. Thecelebrity guest was Romesh Ranganathan who presentedthe prizes.
‘Blacksmiths with grimed and hairy chests environ the anvil,Each has his main-sledge, they are all out, there is a great heat in the fire.
From the cinder-strew’d threshold I follow their movements,The lithe sheer of their waists plays even with their massive arms,
Overhand the hammers swing, overhand so slow, overhand so sure,They do not hasten, each man hits in his place.’
Lawrence Coleman working on his hinge, and the completed piece
Extract from ‘Song Of Myself’ by the greatAmerican Poet Walt Whitman (1819-1892)
9
The Blacksmith’s CharitableTrust, of which I wasChairman, can make an
enormous difference to furtheringthe ambitions of individual black smiths and to enhancing theart of blacksmithing. Over the years we have had some notablecontributors. The late RussellHitchings was one. A man of greatpersonality, he was admitted tothe livery in 1969 and made a bigimpression within the Company.His wife Betsy who is a verycaring person, enjoyed her role asa magistrate, and was the perfectfoil for Russell who was renownedfor his amazing life style.
Shortly after Russell died arequest was received from a young Blacksmith, Rebecca “Bex”Simon, who had completed theBlacksmithing course at HerefordCollege with the aid of a bursary
from the Company. I becameaware that Bex wanted to start herown business and visited her atthe workshop she shared in EastLondon. Following this and afterdue consideration the CharitableTrust agreed to offer Bex a grantfrom Russell’s bequest.
A spin-off from this was that Bex Simon became a well-knownBlacksmith on TV and radio. When asked if she would makesomething for the CarpentersPrimary School, the school closestto the Olympic Stadium inStratford, East London, where Iwas Chairman of the Governors,she readily agreed and gave, at nocost to the school, what is knownas the “magic gate” for theOlympic garden which the schoolhad made. This is an example ofhow a bequest can ultimatelybenefit many and not just theoriginal recipient.
Few of us are in the position to be as prolific as Russellwas in our giving, but every contribution, particularly smallregular payments add up and will enable the Trust tocontinue carrying out its vital role. The Trust needs thesupport of every liveryman so please add your name to thelist of those already contributing.
Blacksmith’s Charitable Trust – Its Benefactorsand Beneficiaries
Our Charitable Trust is a registered charity (No: 216614)which exists primarily to provide bursaries for students onblacksmithing courses at colleges across the country. Inaddition, we support a number of City causes on anannual basis as well as allowing the Prime Warden tonominate a small number of charities he wishes to supportduring his year. Members of the Charity Committee act as the de facto trustees for the charity although itsrecommendations for grants are approved by the Wardens.The annual turnover for the Charity in terms of incomeand expenditure is shown in the provided chart. Currently,income from donations within the Company generates£6,000 of the £36,650 or 16% per year – these donationscome from only 27 of our 249 Liverymen.
If 100 more Liverymen were to commit to a regulardonation of £5 per month (the equivalent of 2 cups ofcoffee), we could double the existing figure of £6,000 peryear and support another 6-9 students with bursaries. Ifyou would like to support the work of the Charitable Trust,please ask the Clerk to send you the standing ordermandate for the Fund.
Charitable Trust – 2 Cups of Coffeeper Month!
John Barber DL, Past Prime Warden
Charitable Trust 2017-2018
Income – £36,650
Expenditure – £35,990
8,250
18,500
6,000
2,400
1,500
5,0005,450
2,50013,000
5,0002,040
3,000
INVESTMENT INCOME COMPANY DONATIONS
GIFT AID RECLAIM INDIVIDUAL BEQUEST
CLIFFORD CHAMPION TRUST
STANDING DONATIONS PW CHARITIES
BURSARIES SALARY
RE-INVESTMENT AUDIT FEE
DISCRETIONARY DONATIONS
The Swan Migrates
The Swan had travelled through the streets of the Cityof London emblazoned with the words ‘Swan ForSale’ and the Blacksmiths had appeared on BBC 1 for
one minute and forty-eight seconds! Now after theexcitement of the Lord Mayor’s Show came the challenge ofselling the Swan in aid of Treloar’s.
We placed the Swan on a charity internet auction site andJim Cook badgered newspapers and magazines to publiciseits sale, managing to get its picture into Country Life. Bidscame in and the Swan was won by the highest bidder.
We had intended to deliver the Swan to its new ownersexpecting a new home near London. To our surprise thewinner of the auction lived as far West in Wales as SteveMiller’s forge lies East in England. A coast to coast journey(and back) in Steve’s pick-up truck would have been an epicin itself, but we wimped out and a carrier from Walestransported the unique load to its new home. The Swan hasbeen named Zeus and can be seen pictured in Pembrokeshirebeside a river with woods and ponds to explore.
We now had the money and sought a suitable occasion topresent it to Treloar’s. This came with the Lord Mayor’sannual visit to Treloar’s. Founded by Lord Mayor Treloarover a hundred years ago, the School and College forchildren with a range of serious disabilities has beensupported by Lord Mayors ever since. This year’s LordMayor, Dr Andrew Parmley, is a Liveryman of our Companyand was delighted to supervise the presentation of thecheque to the Principal,Martin Ingram in front of theTreloar’s Arch.
Our leading Blacksmiths made the Arch for Treloar’s in2013 and it stands as the centre piece of their courtyard. It isused by the children for their rights of passage as they jointhe school, progress to the College and then ‘Moving On’ toface the wider world.
Adrian Oliver, Past Prime Warden
10
11
A Year of Privilege, Fun and Responsibility
How can one describe the hugeprivilege it is to be installed asPrime Warden of one of the
oldest Craft Livery Companies of theCity of London? I have been fortunateto be part of City Civic for some years,but it is only when you experience thetrue warmth and genuine friendship of our great Livery Community thatyou get a glimpse of what the LiveryCompanies have done over theCenturies to promote and encouragethe many Crafts and Trades theyrepresent. From the oldest to thenewest their Members are drawntogether by a desire to preserve andimprove their craft for generationsto come.
Having served as Chairman of the Awards and Craft CommitteesI understood a little about the craft and skills of blacksmithing, butwhen I tried making something atthe forge I realised why it does takea long time to really learn both theskills and the art of becoming a trueblacksmith. To have the privilege ofgoing around with an Assessor orJudge and discovering the detailthey are looking for and to havepointed out to me the flaws, in whatlooks to a layman to be a great piece ofIronwork is a revelation. This is onereason why I have encouraged everyCourt Assistant to try and makesomething at the Forge. This is so everyPrime Warden in the future will havesome understanding of our Craft.
My first Event was the LordMayor’s Show where our own CourtAssistant, Alderman Doctor AndrewParmley was sworn in as Lord Mayor.We had that magnificent Swan in the Show which really demonstrated
our Craft to the world, as both anexceptional piece of Art and delicateironwork. It was a very wet day – I am tempted to say as usual – but wehad a truly impressive turn out ofblacksmiths to show our Company atits best come rain or shine.
I wanted very much to have a forge-in as one of the events in my Year.I am truly grateful to Adrian, Jane andfamily and of course Mort, Merv, Steveand Laurence for organising the forge-in and superb meal at the FirebirdForge. Twenty six of us had a great dayout and everyone had something verycreditable – ok in some cases with quitea bit of help – to take home.
Regrettably, I was unable to arrangea weekend away, but we had anenjoyable visit to the Royal College ofSurgeons with Dinner in their Library.Their Court Room was open, but it was really too big for our party, so we saw their unique Holbein andportraits after a fascinating tour of their Museum. Regrettably there wereexams going on so we were unable to visit the Wolfson suite of teachingTheatres to try simulated minimallyinvasive surgery!
Our visit to the Central CriminalCourt was also great fun and after
a most interesting talk by theSecondary and Under Sheriff, MrCharles Henty, in the famous CourtNumber one we had a tour of thecells. Following this we had anexcellent dinner in the Judges’Dining Room having learned aboutsome of the famous cases that havebeen tried there.
I must mention the outstandingMonument in Ypres, which wascreated by Blacksmiths from all
over the World, led by LiverymanTerrence Clark FWCB as a tribute tothose who died in the First World
War. The individually made IronPoppies, which were crafted andsold to fund the Memorial at Ypresand the week given up by so manyblacksmiths to gather in Ypres,were an outstanding example ofthe co-operation and bonds whichhave grown between BABA andour Company. This has again been demonstrated in developingthe Apprenticeship schemes whichare taking shape under theGovernment Scheme.
I mentioned Privilege, Fun andResponsibility and the high office
of Prime Warden includes all of thosethree. We are very fortunate to haveexcellent and experienced Past PrimeWardens on our Court who a PrimeWarden can turn to for advice, butabove all I have found a welcomewherever I have visited from all myfellow Liverymen. Our WorshipfulCompany is one of the friendliest of Companies I have experienced and during the year visiting otherCompanies I have found a genuinewelcome to the Prime Warden of yourCompany on every occasion.
The Responsibility requires tact anddiplomacy in a number of situations, in order to ensure that differences that may arise are settled swiftly and amicably, so that harmony ispreserved. When potential crises dooccur the best interests of the Companyare always the priority.
It has been an eventful year and I thank you all for the privilege ofserving you as your Prime Warden. Inow look forward to supporting yournew Prime Warden and his successors.
Richard Regan OBE
The Prime Warden awards the prize for best work at the forge-into Past Prime Warden Keith Gabriel
Work by attendees of the forge-in ready for judging by Merv Allen FWCB
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This year’s Ladyday Lunch took place at Trinity House at Tower Hill on 23rd March 2017. TrinityHouse is an imposing neo-classical building, designed
by Samuel Wyatt in 1794. The current Master of Trinity House is Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal KG KT GCVO. Trinity House was incorporated by Royal Charter in 1514 and the prime concerns are its safetyof shipping and wellbeing of seafarers.
The Prime Warden Mr Richard Reagan OBE greetedLiverymen and guests for pre-lunch drinks in the splendourof the Court Room which provided views of the Tower of London, the Old PLA Building and Trinity Square.Impressive portraits hung from the walls and on the ceiling a vivid allegorical scene had been painted originallyby J F Rigaud.
The principal guest was Professor Isobel A Pollock-HulfOBE Master Engineer of the Worshipful Company ofEngineers.
Lunch was provided in the Library, an elegant room with16th and 17th century stained glass windows and similarviews of Trinity Square including the River Thames. Thedining area was overlooked by an impressive minstrel’sgallery which attracted attention and comment from severaldiners.
Third Warden Mr Nigel Whitehead, who presided overthe lunch for the Prime Warden who had to leave before thelunch to attend Guildhall, proposed the Loyal and Civictoasts and subsequently introduced three newly appointedLiverymen; Roger Donnison, Mukul Mehta and CliveRichardson.
The Third Warden proposed a toast to the guests to which the Master Engineer responded. She focussed herspeech on the precision of measurements, high technologyrequirements now demanded in engineering, but referredback to the pragmatic approach of how many London
Double Decker Buses would it take to fill Lake Windermere!The Master summed up with the need for good fellowshipand livery company relationships.
The Father of the Company Mr Rodney Lyons offered atoast to the Third Warden followed by a brief advisorysession of the delights that Trinity House could offer suchas wedding locations, sea side holiday lets, etc. and referreddiners to the Trinity House web site.
An excellent lunch and experience was enjoyed by all. Trinity House offered a collection of 18th century
paintings including the Great Court painting commissionedin 1794 which was on the landing above the staircase knownas the “Quarterdeck”. Also on the Quarterdeck hangs theships bell from The Royal Yacht Britannia which was handedto Trinity House when the yacht was decommissioned.
The history of the Trinity House goes back to the days ofHenry VIII, who granted the charitable guild of mariners aRoyal Charter to regulate the water traffic on the RiverThames which was extended along the British Coast line by later monarchs. Masters have included Samuel Pepys,William Pitt, the Duke of Wellington, Prince Albert and theDuke of Edinburgh.
The Ladyday Lunch 2017
Prestigious new signage for the Princess Diana memorial planting in the sunken garden at Kensington Palace. Created by our very own Kevin Boys FWCB with guidance from Norman Rose AWCB (specifically on the stunning tulips).
Photography by Michael O’Sullivan
Jim Cook, Court Assistant
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As far as I can recall, I don’t think I ever met, letalone ‘knew’, Clifford Stanley Beackon Champion,Citizen and Past Prime Warden (1995) of the
Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths but, my goodness, asa very excited and newly admitted Member of TheCompany (as of 19th January 2017) I already realise thatmust have been my loss. I also realise that I have a lot to be grateful to him for because I was privileged, as one of my very first Company Functions, to have theopportunity to attend his sixth annual CommemorativeDinner on Thursday 9th March, 2017, in the magnificentsurroundings of the fifth and present Cutlers’ Hall, in
Warwick Lane. We enjoyed thesuperb musical accompanimentprovided by The Capital String Quartet of The LondonBanqueting Ensemble and inaccordance with both hisreputation as a bon viveur, andhis reported request that itshould be so, the Dinner wasindeed ‘first class’ and it was avery special moment in my life.
That Clifford had been ahugely successful Businessmanand a highly distinguished and honoured Member of theCompany is self-evident. Tohave wished his colleagues, successors, and futuregenerations of Blacksmiths (such as myself) theopportunity to honour his memory by continuing to enjoy,albeit ‘indirectly’, his friendship, company, love of life, andhospitality on an annual basis via a very generous bequestmarks him out as a very special and extraordinarilygenerous, Gentleman.
I consider myself lucky, and indeed, am very proud,now, as a Blacksmith, to be numbered amongst thosequalified to participate in and enjoy such a magnificentoccasion.
‘Thank You’, Clifford!
North Somerset Show 2017
As many of our readers willknow the North SomersetShow has been organised and
run by Richard Jones FWCB, ablyassisted by his wife Lorraine, for many years. Despite his previouslydiagnosed serious illness, whichprecluded Richard from participatingon this occasion in any physicalactivity, his customary indomitablespirit was in full evidence and themorale boost he gained from all thoseattending had a particularly positiveeffect on him.
“All those attending” is a phraseworthy of a few lines. In all the ShowsI have attended in around twentyseven years, on this occasion I was
privileged to observe the largest groupof award-winning Smiths gathered toshow their respect and affection to afellow Blacksmith, and thank him forall he had achieved in promoting theirCraft. I was also pleased to meet, forthe first time, younger Smiths whotook an active part during the day and were taking a keen interest in all the activities. I was delighted whenI realised what a large percentage ofthe Smiths taking part on the day were Liverymen of our Company –another first!
Morale was high with banter andflack of a high standard being handedout mercilessly with Richard takinghis fair share but managing to offer
plenty in return. During the course of the day, a Show visitor said to me “What a lovely day and whatlovely people are here – it’s all so sad”. I replied “It’s not sad – it’s acelebration. It would only be sad if no-one was here”.
A special mention is due to KeithMahoney AWCB, who had graspedthe reins of administration andorganisation of this year’s Show anddid an all-round terrific job with quiet assurance and aplomb (mindyou, he was under the watchful eye of Richard)! We would like to thankyou Keith for your efforts and hopeyou will feel able to continue with therole in the future.
Hugh Adams CWCB, Past Prime Warden
Open to even the Youngest of Liverymen
Tony WrightClifford Champion Dinner
Photography by Michael O’Sullivan
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Blacksmiths from across thecountry gathered in Bath on the22nd June to pay their last
respects to Richard Jones FWCB and tosupport his wife Lorraine and sonThomas. It was a case of standingroom only in the chapel with so manyattending the service.
Richard, who was the holder ofthe Company’s Bronze Medal, wasadmitted to the Livery in 2011. Hewas a working smith and not onlyserved on the Craft Committee of theCompany but was active with theWessex Guild of Blacksmiths and theNational Blacksmiths’ CompetitionCommittee and was the driving forcebehind the Blacksmiths’ participationat the Royal Bath and West Show. He was the near-perennial winner of the overall national live-forgingcompetition about which his leg wasoften pulled over the length he wentto for the sake of a free meal at theCompany’s annual Awards event.
This is a resume of the movingtribute to Richard given by Past PrimeWarden Hugh Adams CWCB.
Where to start and where to finish thisTribute is very difficult. So much willremain unsaid but will be in the heartsand minds of us all.
I believe it is fair to say Richard wasthe proverbial all-round ‘good guy’; abrilliant smith and a man of greatpersonality and generosity. Generosity
is not just in the giving of things but also the giving of time. Richardgave his time through his support of the Worshipful Company ofBlacksmiths, serving on its CraftCommittee, helping with CountyShows supported by the Companyand in any other way that he wasable. He also gave his time (andphysical exertion) helping to set up and organise the YpresWar Memorial presentationthat took place in 2016, amammoth task as trying toorganise blacksmiths is liketrying to rake water uphill.
Anyone, young or old,acknowledging Richard’svast experience of the Craft and seeking advicefrom him, would never be laughed at or turned
away. Richard had immeasurablepatience when explaining techniques orwork practices to his enquirers.
Lorraine is a marvellous cook, a skill ofwhich Richard never failed to take fulladvantage. He was as renowned for his appetite as for his blacksmithing ability.If there was a seven course meal contestin the Olympics Richard would have beenthere with the best.
So there you have it – a true, all-roundcharacter.
Tribute to Richard Jones FWCB
Obituaries
It is with great sadness that we report the passing of the following Liverymen. Our thoughts and condolences go
out to their families and friends.
Liveryman ALASTAIR COURT-SMITHdied on 20th November 2016
Liveryman and Gold Medallist ROBERT HOBBS FWCBdied on 12th January 2017
Liveryman RAYMOND HOLL MBEdied on 14th January 2017
Liveryman RAYMOND JOHN BURNdied on 17th April 2017
Liveryman RICHARD CHARLES JONES FWCBdied on 8th June 2017
Liveryman Dr ROBERT JONES OBEdied on 29th June 2017
Nigel Whitehead, Past Prime Warden
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New Liverymen
Epiphany 2017Mr Andrew RenwickProposed by Paul Allen FWCB and supported by Simon Grant-Jones FWCB. A self-employed Blacksmith whose grandfatherwas a Liveryman. Admitted to the Freedom of the Company inMay 2016.
Mr Anthony WrightProposed by Renter Warden Jash Joshi and supported by Ricky Toomey. A retired metallurgist who worked in the Cityfor the UK Steel Assoc for 20 years. Admitted to the Freedom of the Company in December 2016, has been a Freeman of theCity since 2000.
Mr Hector RobbProposed by Derek Lawrence and supported by Renter WardenJash Joshi. Retired Chartered Accountant but a familybackground in farming and agricultural machinery. Admittedto the Freedom of the Company in September 2016.
Mr Nicholas GullProposed by John Richardson and supported by George Capon.Retired international banker who has worked in the City for 40years. Admitted to the Freedom of the Company in December2016, has been a Freeman of the City since 2006.
Mr Simon BannisterProposed by Renter Warden Jash Joshi and supported by RickyToomey. Employed in the equestrian industry. Admitted to theFreedom of the Company in December 2016, has been aFreeman of the City since 2008.
Ladyday 2017Mr Roger DonnisonRetired Engineer who has worked for City-based company for most of his working life. Proposed by Derek Lawrence andsupported by Ricky Toomey. Admitted to the CompanyFreedom at September 2016 Wardens’ Court.
Mr Mukul MehtaBusiness Executive with banking interests in London and theUSA. Proposed by the Renter Warden and supported by RickyToomey. Admitted to the Company Freedom at September 2016Wardens’ Court.
Mr Clive RichardsonRetired Product Director with BT and Orange. Proposed byColin Peel and supported by Harry Corben. Admitted to theCompany Freedom at December 2016 Wardens’ Court.
Midsummer 2017Mr Shaun PledgerOwner/Director of Alloy Fabweld Ltd, an architecturalmetalworking business since 1996; Shaun has a strong interestin blacksmithing and has a forge at his business. Proposed byJohn McCuin and supported by Hugh Adams. Admitted to theCompany Freedom at December 2016 Wardens’ Court.
We welcome our new Liverymen and look forward to seeing them at future Company events
Clerk’s CornerQuarterage and Go CardlessQuarterage is a form of subscriptionmade by Liverymen to many LiveryCompanies, so-called because paymentwas traditionally made on the Quarterdays (Michaelmas, Epiphany, Ladydayand Midsummer). It forms a substantialpart (20%) of the annual income of our Company and allows us to:subsidize Company Events; providefinancial support to the Craft; andsponsor Company Awards for workingblacksmiths. Quarterage payment isdue from all Liverymen exceptmembers of the Court, who pay a one-off fine when they join the Court,and Gold medallists. A year ago, werolled out a scheme known as ‘GoCardless’ to pay Quarterage by DirectDebit – this has been very successfuland we have extended the scheme toallow pay ment for attendance atfunctions. If you are interested in thismeans of payment, please contact theClerk for further details.
The current rate of quarterage is set at £160 per year although thoseelecting to pay by Direct Debit pay £150;quarterage can be paid in one annualpayment or quarterly on 1st October,January April and July.Assistant ClerkOn 25th July an Assistant to the Clerkstarted work for the Company. MrsAlison Evans will be working for 2 daysevery week. Alison comes to theCompany with long experience withinthe Livery world – she has been theAssistant Clerk for the Glaziers for thelast 9 years where she still works 3 daysper week; she is looking forward togetting to know our Livery better andrelishes the challenge of applying hermany talents to a second Company.New Company CufflinksThe existing stock of sterling silvercufflinks originally purchased fromFattorini of London were sold out –these were being sold at £66.50 havingbeen bought several years ago.Replacement pairs from Fattoriniwould have cost Liverymen over £110 – our assessment was that wewould not sell many pairs at this price. Consequently, we have sourcedreplacement pairs in a base metal with agilt and enamel finish – once on the shirtthey are virtually indistinguish ablefrom the sterling silver pair. They areavailable as either a T-bar or chainoption and will cost £30 or £32respectively.
Caption Competition
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Published by: The Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths · Design and Typesetting by: Les Allen – 07944 295613 · Printed by: LeA Printers – 0845 232 2322
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Prices: • Livery Tie £10 (Liverymen only)• ‘Social Tie’ £22• Umbrella £20• Cuff Links £30 (T-bar)• Cuff Links £32 (Chain)• Brooches £72.50
All items available from the Clerk, Martin Heath. A limited supply might be available at Court luncheons.
Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths’ Shop
Show Dates 2017
Diary of Events 2017-18
Copies of the excellent photographs taken by MichaelO’Sullivan of the Awards Luncheon and other formal
events and reproduced in the Newsletter can be obtaineddirectly from:
www.michaelosullivanphotography.co.uk
Telephone: 020 8363 8350
Copies of photographs
Editor: Charlotte Tealee-mail: [email protected]
Telephone: 07906 051 158
Dorset County 2-3 September
Berkshire County* 16-17 September
*NBCC Shows except where indicated
Your chance to win a bottle of Champagne for the best ‘printable’ answer
Entries to the Editor [email protected]
by 31st December latest
Judging will be by the Prime Warden and the winnerannounced at the Epiphany Court Luncheon
Invitations will be sent to all Liverymen but please put these in your diary now
29 September 2017 – Election of Lord Mayor at Guildhallwith Lunch in Painters’ Hall. £60 per person. Apply to theClerk for tickets.
26 October 2017 – Michaelmas Court and Awards LuncheonCarpenters Hall. The Craft meets the City and we presentCompany awards to blacksmiths.
11 November 2017 – Lord Mayor’s Show. Tickets via website6/7 December 2017 – Visit to the Centre for European
Nuclear Research in Geneva. Fly to Geneva. Overnightstay. 48 people maximum. Cost approximately £160 (TBC)
201818 January 2018 – Epiphany Court and Luncheon
Saddlers’ Hall8 March 2018 – Clifford Champion Dinner Goldsmiths’ Hall16 March 2018 – United Guilds Service at St Paul’s with
Lunch in Painters’ Hall. Apply to the Clerk for tickets.22 March 2018 – Ladyday Court and Luncheon
The CharterhouseApril 2018 – Visit to the KIA Oval or Lords. Date TBD4 May 2018 – Annual Banquet at Mansion House10 May 2018 – Visit to Diamond Light Source at Didcot.
Diamond Light Source is the UK’s national synchrotronscience facility, located at the Harwell Science andInnovation Campus in Oxfordshire. 20 people maximum.
21 June 2018 – Midsummer Court and Dinner.Company Church Service. Armourers’ Hall
25 June 2018 – Election of Sheriffs with Lunch in Painters’ Hall
6-8 July 2018 – Prime Warden’s Weekend in Stratford-upon-Avon. To include a performance at the RSC, a gala dinnerand visit to a nearby National Trust property.
