LIVERY NEWSLETTER AND GAZETTEISSUE 22 SPRING 2014

The Worshipful Companyof Tobacco Pipe Makersand Tobacco Blenders

The Master’sVoiceAs a Past Master of thePoulters Livery, the secondfrom that stable in the lastthree years, we have anotherexperienced Liveryman tocarry the Company forward.

With 23 years experience in thetobacco industry as an employeeof Rothmans International, heretired in 1999 as ChiefExecutive of Central and EasternEurope. Previous postings hadbeen in the UK, Hong Kong,Singapore and Amsterdam. Thishas left him with a deepunderstanding of strategy and heremains a consultant in thatfield.

He is confident in the future ofthe tobacco industry despite theproblems of health andenvironmental issues.

His passion for history has ledhim to read for a Master’s degree

at Reading University andhe is currently studyingClausewitz (he of thefamous dictum “War is thecontinuation of politics byother means”) whilstwriting a book on therelationship betweenMilitary and BusinessStrategy.

His evident love of life isdemonstrated by theinfinite care he takes in

planning the memorable mealswe have been enjoying in hisyear of office.

His wife Shar and their twochildren live in Wiltshire.

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In thisIssueIn thisIssueAround the Livery

pages 2-4

The Lord Mayor’sAppeal

pages 5-6

E Cigarettespages 7-8

Help for Heroespages 9-16

Smoking Club& Editorial

page 17

Master’s Reception &Golf 2013

page 18

Annual Banquetpage 19

Future eventsBack page

www.tobaccolivery.org

Congratulations!Past Master Roger Mertonhas been awarded the MBEin the New Year’s Honourslist for services to LondonYouth, Football and thecommunity in Hertfordshire.

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Our financesThe accounts for the year ended 25th March2013 showed that the company had asurplus of £25,721 (2012-£17,784) and ourinvestments stood at a value of £1,211,935(2012- £1,049,308). Quarterage roseslightly to £34,152 whilst expenses werestatic at £59,364. Our Treasurer anticipatesa similar outturn for 2014.

AppointmentsAssistant Ralph Edmondson was appointed toserve on the General Purposes Committee

Liverymen Adam Bennett and Conrad Blakeyhave been elected to the Court as Assistants andwere installed on 5th June 2013

MembersGowned with the LiveryJames Blakelock 5th June 2013Regulatory Affairs BAT

Gareth Cooper 5th June 2013Head of regulatory affairs BAT

Nicky Donnelly 5th June 2013Global stakeholder engagement BAT

Fran Morrison 5th June 2013Retired. Formerly BAT communications.

Graeme Monro 5th June 2013Head of shared finance services BAT

Anthony Scanlon 5th June 2013Managing Director Gamucci UK Ltd

Ann Tradigo 5th June 2013Corporate Communications BAT

Philip Colman 16th Sept 2013CIO with BAT

Andrew Gray 16th Sept 2013Regional Director BAT

Michael Nightingale 16th Sept 2013Head of Sustainability BAT

Nicola Snook 16th Sept 2013Solicitor BAT

Mark Domitrak 16th Jan 2014International Engagement Manager BAT

Flora Okereke 16th Jan 2014Corporate & Regulatory Affairs BAT

New FreemenAndrew Coates 5th June 2013Corporate finance, JP Morgan Cazenove.

Elise Rasmussen 5th June 2013Journalist with “Tobacco Reporter”

John Noble 16th Sept 2013Retired marine salvage operator

Rupert Wilson 16th Jan 2014Investment analyst

ErrataOn page 3 of the last issue was a photo ofour Clerk “with his wife Diana”. In fact itwas the Lady Mayoress to whom the editorsent a grovelling letter of apology. The realDiana is shown with her rightful husbandbelow.

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Lost brethrenPast Master Alec Murray

After a long illness heroicallyborne Alec Murray died on10th April 2013 aged 76. Asone of our great Masters in2001/02 he served the Liveryin many capacities since hewas gowned in 1982, notablya long spell as a Benevolent

Fund Trustee until 2008. Golfing members mayperhaps see his captaincy of our winning team inthe Prince Arthur in 1997 as a greaterachievement. A leader of men and a religious man he took hisresponsibilities seriously, and greatly enhancedthe standing and performance of the Livery inmany spheres. He was the Master who guided theLivery into the computer age with our firstwebsite in 2002, and who at his Installation urgedthe Livery to show the compassionate andcharitable side of our trade rather than the winingand dining aspects.After qualifying as a Chartered Accountant withCooper Brothers in the City he joined thefinancial staff of GEC in London and Nigeria. Hehimself did not enter the tobacco industry until1969 when he joined Standard Commercial, a UScompany engaged in the purchase, processingand shipping of leaf tobacco throughout theworld. The company was also involved in thewool trade so he could have joined the Woolmen.Their loss was our gain. He steadily climbed the ladder of promotion untilin his year as Master he was also Chairman.At his funeral service near Guildford where helived, we heard that he was a keen Scotsman andoccasional singer. Indeed we had a Harry Lauder“hymn” in the service. But it will be as a pillar ofsociety that he will be remembered: a member ofthe Guildford Diocesan Synod, Lay Chairman ofthe Cranleigh Deanery Synod, an active memberof the Conservative party in Surrey, and amember of the Travellers Club.

Those of you who care to look at Issues 8 and 9of this Newsletter which covered his year asMaster will show you the man. Serious, yet full ofwarmth and humour. An achiever demanding highstandards, but always approachable.

He leaves behind his widow Gillian who we willsurely see at future Livery events, and his twosons Andrew and Richard who are pursuingsuccessful careers in TV production andteaching.

The Livery was well represented at a packedmemorial service held in Holy Trinity ChurchBramley on Monday 6th May 2013.

Morton ThreshieAdmitted as a Freeman in 1967 but never took upthe Livery. A director of leaf importers SiemssenThreshie.Died 15th March 2013 aged 84.

Jack GoldingTook up the Livery in 1992. Owner of J GoldingGroup of retail and wholesale tobacconists, nowbeing run by his widow Beryl and son Christopher.Died 23rd July 2013 of Parkinsons, aged 84.

Charles WhitbreadTook up the Livery in 1993.Worked in the Gas Board andretired at 65. Wife died 8 yrsago. No other family. Proposedby Ron Edrupt.Died 14th Sept 2013 aged 86.

Mike SuttonAdmitted as Freeman 1978. Liveryman 1980.Court Assistant 1982-99. Worked with Singer &Friedlander. Died 20th Oct 2013.

Michael LambertDied 14th Aug 2013Although not a Liveryman he served as secretaryto the Trustees of the Benevolent Fund from 2004to 2008.

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KIM TAYLOR 1922-2013

Inspirational headmaster ofSevenoaksLeonard Clive (Kim) Taylor was born in Calcuttaand sent to boarding school in England aged six.His father died when he was nine, so schoolbecame his home, its values his. He arrived atSevenoaks aged ten and progressed to SchoolCaptain as well as Captain of Boxing and Rugby.Aged 17 at the beginning of World War Two hewas sent back to India to teach at St Paul’sDarjeeling. He was commissioned into the IndianArmy, survived the siege of Akyab beforespending the rest of the war gatheringintelligence, sometimes at first hand, about theJapanese army.

After the war he gained a First in History and aBoxing Blue at New College Oxford, beforestudying Psychology at Chicago, where he alsomet his talented wife Suzanne.

He was Head of History at Repton before beinginvited by his former headmaster to succeed himat Sevenoaks, the youngest head at that time of apublic school.

One of the great achievements byassociation of our Benevolent Fund has beenthe support and promotion of Sevenoaksschool. The inspiration came from KimTaylor, Headmaster from 1954 – 68 whoconvinced our founding Master Alan Adlerand his successors that it was a school thatwas going places and worth our support.That claim has been fully vindicated by thepresent standing of the school and we areproud that the Pipemakers’ contributions toboth the fabric and students of Sevenoaksare everywhere evident. The following is anabbreviated life culled from reminiscences ofPast Master John Adler and various otherobituaries.

He transformed Sevenoaks, and his ideas,embodied in his 1965 book Experiments inEducation at Sevenoaks, have taken root sowidely that it is easy to forget their originality.The introduction of community service and theInternational Baccalaureate were but twoexamples.

Beyond Sevenoaks he was one of the founders ofVSO, and worked in education for the OECD, theIndependent Broadcasting Authority, and was adirector of the Gulbenkian Foundation.

He was particularly interested in Portugal and wasawarded the Order of Prince Henry the Navigator.

Described by one as “the most complete man Iever met” his legacy is a school of which theworld can be proud and in the forefront ofmodern thought in education. Not many liveshave contributed so much.

He died at his home in Chichester peacefully inhis sleep aged 91. His wife predeceased him eightyears ago but he leaves three children and manygrandchildren.

Kim Taylor, seen here in 1955 with his wife and the prefects.

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The Lord Mayor’sAppealFiona Woolf CBE our present Lord Mayor is onlythe second woman to hold this office since 1189.As a lawyer specialising in global electricityindustry reforms she describes her aims asfollows:

Charity Leadership and SocialInvestmentMy husband Nicholas, past Master of the TaxAdvisers (2009/10), is heading The Lord Mayor’sCharity Leadership Programme, shining a light oncharity chairmen and how they can be bettersupported. The programme, starts with two lectures,one by William Shawcross, Chairman of the CharityCommission, and the other by Sir Ronald Cohen, thefounding-Chairman of Big Society Capital and achampion of social investment.

Diversity and InclusionNow more than ever the City depends upon beingable to draw upon the best talent available. I haveput together a programme of breakfast seminarsand two large conferences, titled “The Power ofDiversity”, to highlight and discuss the criticalsteps that businesses must take to maximise theenergy that diversity can bring to business. Allproceeds from the programme will go to TheLord Mayor’s Appeal 2014.

New Approach to the LordMayor’s AppealThe Lord Mayor’s Appeal is now to be apermanent rather than a one year charity,enabling contributions in cash and in kind to begiven over more than one year and to promotegiving to a wider audience. It will support smallercharities, particularly those that punch abovetheir weight.

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How You Can HelpWe are always open to offers of help, soplease contact my Lord Mayor’s Appealteam on 020 7332 1582 if you would like tobe involved. There are lots of fun andaffordable events and we are determined toreach a wider audience.

The LordMayor’s Appeal2014 issupporting fourcommunity-based charitiesthat all have“the energy totransformlives”:

• BeatingBowelCancergreatlyimprovesprospectsfordiagnosis and treatment of the second biggestcancer killer.

• Princess Alice Hospice is developing a newmodel of hospice and home care.

• Working Chance places women ex-offendersinto jobs with quality employers, re-enablingthem and their children.

• Raleigh International provides young peoplefrom underprivileged backgrounds with lifechanging experiences that contribute to theirown personal growth, and the development ofcommunities in need around the world.

Fundraising is at the heart of the Appealprogramme, but there is also a strongcommitment to mentoring, helping to raise theprofiles of these charities and opening up newsources of funding for the future.

Fun for the Livery• Lord Mayor’s Appeal Day on 16th May 2014.

• Enter a Livery Company football team for aday of football fun on 13th June 2014 inGuildhall Yard.

• Concert on the theme of “Strong Women” byworld-famous soprano Nelly Miricioiu, thestarry mezzo Nino Surguladze and the ChelseaOpera Group. The performance will beconducted by Gianluca Marcianó. It will bepreceded and followed by food and wine in theGuildhall Old Library.

• The Lord Mayor’s Ball in the Guildhall on 21stOctober 2014.

I hope you will join me on what are guaranteed tobe memorable occasions.

Alderman Fiona Woolf CBEThe Rt. Hon. The Lord Mayor of London

For more information about the Charity visitwww.tomorrowscompany.com andwww.cms-cmck.com

Will this be the year ofFionas?Our first Lady Master in 2011/12, FionaAdler, has decided to stand as Lay Sheriff inthis year’s elections at Common Hall.

Liveryman are reminded that they areentitled to go alongto Guildhall onTuesday 24th June2014 and vote forher, provided thatthey have a ticketfrom the Clerk, andprovided they weregowned with theLivery andregistered on theroll by the Clerkthis March.

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A Touch of the Vapours?There is something sinister in the woodshedand it is called “vaping”. Our centuries oldindustry and pastime is being infiltrated bythe electronic cigarette. Lady LiverymanJacqueline Burrows has spent a long time inthe industry and now finds herself deeplyinvolved with this new device. Here she opensthe lid on what is happening and what may bein store for us.

The earliest e-cig can be traced back to anAmerican, Herbert A Gilbert, who patented adevice in 1963, shortly after the SurgeonGeneral’s report, which he described as "asmokeless non-tobacco cigarette" that involved"replacing burning tobacco and paper withheated, moist, flavoured air". However, thisinvention never went into production. It took aChinese pharmacist called Hon Lik to inventsomething that resembled the real thing in 2003.He worked for a company called Golden Dragon,who launched Ruyan (literally “resemblingsmoking”) in 2004 and obtained a patent on thedesign in 2007.

The key to what makes an e-cig is microelectronictechnology. The body of the cigaretteincorporates a liquid vaporizing chamber knownas a “cartomizer”, together with a smart chipcontroller and a built-in lithium battery. The tip ofthe device contains an indicator, that lights upwhen the cigarette is in use (at present it can bered, green, or blue). The “magic” happens in the“cartomizer” which produces the “smoke” whenthe mixture of nicotine and water in the cartridgeheats up and atomises. It is this vapour that,when inhaled, gives the smoker the nicotine hitand flavour, but without any flame, ash or tobaccosmoke. The vapour evaporates into the air withina few seconds and is odourless.

The smoker ( or vaper ) simply inhales gently andthe device automatically switches on. The

batteries last for somewhere between 350 and375 puffs per charge, equivalent to about 40cigarettes, and are good for over 300 re-charges.

The electronic cigarette looks like, feels like andtastes like a real cigarette, yet it isn’t: it’srechargeable, re-useable and, if you want it,there’s a disposable version, too. It offerssmokers a chance to enjoy the pleasures ofnicotine and most if not all the physical andemotional sensations of smoking. The medicaland scientific experts are supportive, and ofcourse the non smoking public are not exposedto any tobacco smoke or its by-products

All the electronic cigarettes on the market in theUK are made in Shenzen in China, which is theglobal centre of expertise for micro-electronics.In the UK the patent for this design has beensecured by a company called Gamucci foundedby brothers Taz and Umer Sheikh in the lead upto the public smoking ban in 2006. It is the onlycompany totally to own its manufacturing facility,thereby securing control of its supply chain andintellectual property. All other products areproduced in universal manufacturing facilities.

Recent consumer research by Gamucci, outlinesthe reasons why adults enjoy their products.

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These include the freedom to smoke almostanywhere, including in bars, restaurants and athome, rediscovering social inclusion as opposedto increasing isolation; the lack of odour; theconvenience of a product that is not on fire andcan be recharged; and the lower costs comparedto traditional highly-taxed tobacco products. Yetalready there are signs that airlines, traincompanies and even coffee bars are objecting totheir use on the grounds that “they give out thewrong signal”.

At this early stage the market is booming but willit last and what does it cost? A typical e-cig costs£6.99 which is about half the price of theequivalent number of good quality cigarettes.There are currently some 1.6 million electroniccigarette smokers in the UK but it is estimatedthat up to 40% of UK smokers could switch tonon-combustible products in the years to come.The result would be an industry with the potentialto deliver a retail value of at least £2.2 billion perannum in the UK alone, and $9.6 billion in theUSA (at today’s prices). The UK market is alreadyvalued at around £50m pa, but is believed to havereached less than 1% of its full potential. Whilstthere are challenges ahead, this product may wellbe the future for tobacco.

The regulatory environment is fragmentedglobally as policy-makers have struggled tounderstand this new and fast-growing concept innicotine delivery. The challenges faced by thisgrowing industry are familiar to everyone whohas worked in tobacco, and include issues relatedto manufacture, marketing, sales, ingredients,packaging and labelling, the freedom to use andappropriate taxation levels.

There is still much misinformation anddisinformation swirling around, but as time goeson there is an ever-increasing understanding thatelectronic cigarettes could provide a significantpotential benefit for public health in the years tocome. Yet the British Medical Association issitting on the fence.

Theoretically the e-cig can be given any flavour orcontents. So far consumers are offered traditionaltobacco flavours through to apple, coffee, cherry,

grape … the questions begin. Unnecessary over-regulation is to be avoided, but so fargovernments and society as a whole have yet toreact. The jury is still out.

The loss of tax revenue will loom large in anydecisions, and licensing regulation will have to beenforced to prevent forbidden substances beingintroduced. If the total costs to the consumerremain the same, will society accept what mightseem to traditionalists a rather absurd habit?

There are many entrenched interests that willhave to face this challenge. New brands of e-cigsare coming on the market every day and themajor tobacco companies are preparing their ownversions.

One thing is certain that if the Animal Rightsprotesters can turn up at a Clay Pigeon shoot, theanti smoking lobby will always be with us.

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Help for HeroesOne of the most remarkable achievements ever ofindividual Liverymen raising money occurred lastMay when the Clerk (Peter Swanson) and three ofour members Past Master Julian Keevil, andWardens Ronald Kirk and Arthur Richards tookpart in the BIG BATTLEFIELD BIKE RIDE fromParis to London via………..well, read on. This isan edited version of Ron Kirk’s account.

This was the toughest physical challenge I haveever done, and why I was doing it I shall neverknow. Apart from the prime objective of helpingour wounded, the camaraderie of wonderfulpeople from all walks of life was unforgettable.

I owe my sponsors a great debt of gratitude, andalso appreciation to my long suffering wife, Suefor supporting me, throughout the training andpreparation.

Following the tragic events at Woolwich Barracksand in Paris, our ride was to take on anotherdimension. The mood of the British People hadobviously been stirred.

My final dedication must go to the families of LeeRigby, and the French soldier attacked in a ParisRailway Station.

The ride was supposedly 380 miles, but mycolleagues measured it at 420 miles, and in mycase 450 miles, having taken the scenic route acouple of times. In total, we climbed theequivalent of 14,500 feet. The route took usthrough farm tracks with nasty water-filled pot-holes, across loose gravel and mud, not tomention the cobblestones that both shook youreyeballs and could throw you off at any moment.The rain and cold wind was incessant, and at onestage some of us started to suffer fromhypothermia.

The terrain also took a great toll on the bikes,and our back up mechanics. I went through twosets of tyres and inner tubes. Others facedpunctures, broken spokes, chains and gear sets.When ex-Marines and TA’s start suffering, youknow you are in for a battle of wills and stamina.

All the effort proved worthwhile, as the Rideraised in total some £2m and our team ‘The FourMusketeers’ raised over £11,000 and we arestill counting.

I am 68 years old and live a very comfortable lifein Saint Malo, France. My most normal exertion israising a glass of red wine to my lips. It was ourleader Peter Swanson, Clerk at that time to ourLivery Company, who asked by email whether Icycled, and was I doing anything at the end ofMay? It wasn’t until after I had attended the nextLivery function that I realised I had beenvolunteered!

My fellow Musketeers were also a bit mystified asto how they had become involved. Other press-ganged members were Past Master Julian Keevil(an ex –Marine aged 65) who had travelled all theway from Virginia USA, and Arthur Richards(50) currently Warden of the Livery, with longexperience in the Territorial Army.

The Four Musketeers gathered at St PancrasStation at the Eurostar Champagne Bar, wherePeter required us to wear our Musketeer hatscomplete with feathers (red, white and blue)representing the main arms of our Forces. We allpledged our Musketeer allegiances and wishedourselves a safe and successful challenge as wemingled with the various teams. There was onecalled ‘The Five Fat Cavalry Officers’.

As we began to be surrounded by our soldieramputees it began to dawn on us what we had letourselves in for. Like most of us who are unfamiliarwith wounded people, we tend to look at the injuryfirst and then the person second. Our trip changedit to seeing the person first, and then observing the

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obvious injury. At times black humour came intoplay. Asking at the bar for someone standingbehind me to give a hand with the drinks, I wasgiven the answer “I would if I had one!” Thefortitude of these guys did get to you emotionally.You either wanted to cry for them, or just laughalong in their highly motivated company.

Tuesday 28th MayAfter an 8.30am start from our Paris Hotel, wenavigated through the rush hour in the drizzle tothe official starting point at Les Invalides for LeGrand Depart at 11.30am. The French wished us‘bon courage’ en route and somehow we allmanaged to arrive more or less together. Julian,however, had the bad luck to split his tyre andhave a puncture even before the start.

Bearing in mind the purpose of the Ride, thechoice of the starting point could not have beenmore appropriate. Les Invalides was the firstpurpose-built hospital and home for woundedveterans created in Western Europe. It was theinspiration for our own Royal Hospital, Chelsea.It is also houses Napoleon’s Mausoleum and astatue of him in his characteristic pose.

We were entertained by a small military band andofficially sent on our way by the Duchess ofCornwall, who arrived to shake us by the handand wish us well. I expected her to concentrate onour wounded participants. To my slight horror, shethen decided to move amongst us and so I had toscramble to put the camera away and take off mywet cycling glove as she shook hands with us.

The Duchess of Cornwall

The Military Commander to Paris gave an officialspeech reminding us that Napoleon was lookingdown on us (met with some amusement). Herecalled the tragic events of just a week ago, andmade it known we were all brothers in armsfighting against barbarity and evil in all its forms.

At last we were on our way and spent the nexttwenty miles or so winding through the suburbsof Northern Paris, seemingly stopping at everytraffic light. At last we got out onto the open roadand started to put some miles behind us.

It continued to rain and the wind made it verycold, despite our over-jackets. The first challengeof the day was navigational, as we caught up withthe first group who had taken a wrong turningand were doubling back. Clearly a red arrow signhad gone missing, but we resumed our ridethrough a village and then down a long steep hill.

The next minute the rider in front of me wentdown and I had to steer round him before brakingand going back to check him out. He hadapparently tried to pull into a slip road and didn’tsee the small lip to the pull-in taking the frontwheel from underneath him. We cleaned up thegrazing on his leg, applied some bandages,straightened up his bike and then resumed on ourway. Kindly, a French pedestrian and lorry driveralso helped out with first-aid.

There were lots of punctures en route, even atthis stage, but I just kept rolling.

By lunch-time we were all wet and miserable andlooking forward to some hot food and a drink. Icould only manage the drink, and had difficultytaking in any carbohydrates without feelingnauseous. Clearly the exertion was taking moreout of me than anticipated.

The lunch venue was somewhat surreal, with twocamels and a long-horned cow tethered in theground by us. The circus had come to the village!Within a few minutes of stopping, we werebeginning to shake with the cold and were indanger hypothermia, so we cut short the lunchand resumed cycling to get warm again.

If we did not know already, this was no stroll inthe park. Our wounded comrades were an

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inspiration. No moaning, they just stuck to thetask. We just had to keep going as we couldn’t letthem down now.

Later the weather abated and in time we arrivedat Nery, not a particularly well known site but inthe view of some historians, the pivotal point atwhich the Germans were prevented from takingParis in the First World War.

Nery is an ancient village made up of largehouses with thick walls which, over time, hadformed natural fortresses. It sat on the edge ofa deep ravine, on the other side of which wasa large plateau. It was on this plateau wherewe now stood, that German Cavalry suddenlyappeared out of the morning mist of 1stSeptember 1914. What happened next becameknown as ‘The Affair at Nery’ and led to theaward of three VCs to members of ‘L’ Battery.

Up to this point the Germans were advancingquickly across France and had they been ableto maintain their momentum, would havetaken Paris. It was here that ‘L’ Battery, withits capability of firing 15 rounds a minutestraight into the advancing charge, and in theface of a very bloody conflict, was able to repelthe advancing German troops. This caused theGerman High Command to reconsider itstactics and in doing so, the French and Britishwere able to reinforce their lines aroundAmiens and the River Marne.

A Captain Bradbury fought valiantly, despitehaving both his legs blown off when fetchingammunition, and whilst commanding the lastthree guns to oppose twelve on the other side.

Two were quickly knocked out, leaving onlyone gun under the direction of CaptainBradbury. Private Nelson and BatterySergeant-Major Dorell resisted the advance fortwo and half hours before reinforcementsarrived. When the fighting subsided, CaptainBradbury had his injuries attended to andthen they dragged him into the local cemeteryto recover. Unfortunately he died of hiswounds, and was buried there, but Sergeant-Major Dorell survived to a ripe old age.

Had it not been for their fierce resistance, theFirst World War may have taken a differentturning. In the Imperial War Museum there isa photo of a British cannon, taken at the timewhere a German shell had fired into preciselythe hole in the barrel, splitting it apart. It isnow displayed with a flower protruding wherethe shell had struck.

Our next stop was a small clearing in the Forêtde Compiègne, where in 1918 the Germanforces surrendered to the Allies and, where alsoin 1940, in deliberate humiliation, the Frenchwere made to capitulate to Hitler.

Whilst General Petain may not have had muchchoice if he was to save the lives of millions ofFrenchmen, he was detested for conceding thatFrench prisoners would not be repatriated, andthat they would be executed should they take uparms with the allies. This was regarded by manyas an unnecessary concession.

It was for me the most poignant historical site ofall. It demonstrated the linkage between the Firstand Second World Wars, and the failure ofpoliticians to avoid such awful conflict.

The entire German High Command attended thesigning with Hitler. It represented a triumph ofbarbarity and evil. The French, must have beendevastated as they lost all they held dear,seemingly forever.

Wednesday 29th May I was now having trouble taking in anycarbohydrates at breakfast. Also I had developeda heavy cold. Wiping my nose with tissue, thenmy cycling gloves, was useless, and in the end I

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just gave up and let my nose run.. With raindripping off my helmet and a gooey mess frommy nose I was a sorry sight.

About 10 miles on and we stopped at theVignemont French and German Cemetery topay our respects. There were other nationalitiestoo, with headstones denoting Jewish andMoslem faiths.

It struck me that this was the European Union ofthe Dead when fellow human beings cannotresolve their differences peacefully. This musthave driven the founders of the European Union.Had the EU been formed half a century earlierthe world would have been a totally differentplace. We owe it to the men lying in these gravesto give our forthcoming decision over ourmembership the quality of debate and criticalserious thinking it deserves.

Thiepval

The site commemorates 72,000 graves of Britishand South African men who died in the Battle ofthe Somme but have no known grave. It is theplace I particularly wanted to be, to give mypersonal dedications to my grandfather CharlesLowe, and prayers on behalf of the Hill family totheir grandfather Arthur Holmes.

I looked for James Lowe, my great uncle’s name(after whom I bear my middle name and who diedin the area from a German grenade whilst actingas a motorcycle dispatch rider). Maybe it was hisgenes that gave me a love of motorcyclesthroughout my life. Sure enough I found his name.

At each of the ceremonies our ‘embedded’ JesuitPriest said a few words. We laid our wreaths,sounded the last post and recited ‘we willremember them’ and sometimes a poem. On thisoccasion the words from our priest struck achord. His theme was, we have a choice in life,‘entitlement’ or ‘gratitude’. I fall into the lattercamp and could not be more grateful for thehappy and contented life I lead with my dear wife,Sue.

It was a nightmare coming through Amiens oververy rough cobblestones. I decided to walk, as thefront wheel was in danger of wedging its narrowrim into the large gaps. It proved sensible asJulian went a ‘purler’ and fell off, trying to avoida tractor.

Lots of mechanical problems for riders on theway included a broken saddle, spokes, chains,split tyres and punctures. These are quite rareoccurrences normally but on this ride werepopping up with undue regularity.

I am not sure how I completed the last 8 miles tothe hotel as I was absolutely shattered. It musthave been the lack of food beginning to takeeffect. Fortunately the roads were by now quitegood, and I was able to gently pedal to my hoteland have a hot bath to relieve the pain in my legs.

Thursday 30th MayAmiens to Le Touquet (Etaples)

When it Rains it Just Pours!

I managed to force down a croissant forbreakfast. Today was going to be quite achallenge. My runny nose was not too bad, and Iwas managing to cycle reasonably well, but about20 miles into the Ride, I was climbing a longsteady hill when I noticed my back tyre was soft,and obviously knew I had a puncture. Just as Iwas taking out the spare tube and tools, my two‘Guardian Angels’ turned up in the form of Dannyand Davey, two Coldstream Guards. As they wereabout to pass me, they shouted “Are you OKRonnie, do you want a hand?” “If you could,” wasmy reply and before I could turn the bike on its

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saddle, the wheel was off, and the tyre and tubewere out, ready for replacement. It looked as if apiece of flint had penetrated the tyre, so wedecided to change both the tyre and tube. It wasjust like a Formula 1 pit stop and I was on theroad again in a jiffy.

After this, disaster struck again. I had beenstruggling to look far enough forward to see thered arrow direction signs because my stiff neckwas now giving me real ‘gip’. At a crossroad,where I should have turned right, I went straighton up a 1500 metre steep climb.

The sheep in the adjoining fields looked at mewith some curiosity, as they didn’t often seecyclists pounding up a hill to nowhere. I wonderedwhy nobody seemed to be overtaking me as Iwasn’t going that fast. At the top was a T junctionwith no direction markings. Apart from a busshelter on the corner of the bend, there were justtwo houses, all shuttered up, and one road sign.Spookily there was no traffic at all. And so itcontinued for the next hour.

Clearly I was taking the scenic route.

Studying the map I recognised that the road signpointed to a village we were supposed to passthrough, and decided to follow the road to theright, down the hill again the other side, only tomeet another T junction with no road signswhatsoever. Rather than compound the problem Iretraced my steps, went back up the hill andpicked up the previous sign to the village. But Iwas hopelessly lost.

The only thing left was to call for technicalassistance. I managed to call the number on myFrench mobile and left a message of my locationand a call for assistance. Thirty minutes went bywithout a call back and when I tried to ring againI found my mobile was out of coverage andprobably the first message never got through.

It seemed the only thing left to do was retrace mysteps and get back onto a busier road andpossibly get mobile coverage from there. Then Inoticed my front tyre was as flat as a pancake andI had used all my spares that morning.

Well, I was really stuck now!

Fortunately, in the next ten minutes whilst Iconsidered my options, a lady strolled down theroad from literally nowhere and in my best French Iexplained my predicament. She didn’t have amobile phone with her but said if I could just waitfor the school bus, her daughter and she would tryand help. Ten minutes later the school bus dulyarrived. After an animated conversation with theentire bus, it transpired that the driver had a mobileand she called in my technical support. Another 30minutes and the van arrived to pick me and thebike up and I was transported to the lunch spot.

Phew!!

Friday 31st MayEtaples Cemetery

Emotionally this was my most demanding day. Ihad been chosen to read the poem at theCanadian Cemetery where 290 Canadians areburied. They were an important force in liberatingmost of the French Ports from Le Havre all theway up to Calais. My brother-in-law’s fatherlanded with the Canadians on Juno Beach so Iresolved to do my best to recite the poem forhim, the lost, and the 11 Canadians who hadjoined us on this trip. It is difficult saying thewords at the best of times, but when you feel theresponsibility of doing your best for everyone it isdifficult not to choke.

Wilmereaux Cemetery Climbing out of Boulogne, one passes thecemetery of Wilmereaux where Colonel McCrae,the soldier poet famous for his poem ‘InFlanders Fields’ is buried. It seemed appropriatethat his words would be repeated at our next stop.

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The climb was long and tedious and made all themore demanding by the headwind as we reachedthe top. I managed to take a breather at the topand take on some water, as I now could be sure Iwould make the next stop in time for my reading.

Our priest again said a few words beforehand tofocus on what we were doing, our wreath waslaid, the Ode of Remembrance recited, the LastPost sounded and I read John McCrae’s poem.

Our team had come through quite a lot at thisstage but we were still together, cheerful anddetermined to complete the Ride into London.

Forteresse de MimoyecquesSite of V3 RocketsThis is a little known location, an oldquarry hidden away in the Frenchcountryside and which was at one timehome to the German V3 rocket gun.Fortunately for us, the intelligence collatedon thousands of prisoners of war (mainlyPolish) being gathered in an unlikelylocation, and its railway tracks, identified itearly on as a potential rocket launchingsite. It was to be one of Group CaptainCheshire’s last raids, which successfullybombed the site and eliminated the threat.

Again, my Guardian Angels were on hand to helpme out for the rest of the day. First my bell felloff my bike on descending a hill, which Daveydoubled back from and then promptly did atemporary repair until the next break, when hefixed it permanently. I now couldn’t get the belloff even if I wanted to, as it is almost welded tothe handlebars! On the next occasion, as we werenearing the end of the ride, they shouted again,“Are you OK Ronnie, not far now and we’ll getyou a nice cup of tea at the next stop.” Sureenough, as I cycled in, absolutely shattered, therethey were with a cup of steaming hot tea in handsaying “have a gulp of this, it will make you feelbetter.” What great guys to have around.

It was great to get to Calais, even though we hadanother four miles more than the others for ourHoliday Inn Hotel. It was well worth the effort;

lovely rooms, nice hot bath, great staff serviceand I was even able to wash all the mud off mybike with a hot water hose.

Thankfully it was also the first time I ate a decentbreakfast and I felt a million dollars again.

Saturday 1st JuneCalais/Dover ferry then toChatham (Coming Home)With all our bikes stacked at one end of the shipwe came within sight of the White Cliffs of Dover.

There was an impromptu sing-along on the aftdeck.

As we left the ferry, the Customs and Policeformed a Guard of Honour and applauded us offthe boat, giving many of us a ‘high five’ to sendus on our way.

Battle of Britain Capel le Ferne Memorial

Our first stop at the top of the long hill out ofDover we commemorated those Battle of Britainpilots, many of whom would be limping home onliterally a wing and a prayer. At the centre of thesite there is a statue of a pilot wearing his flyingjacket, sitting on his haunches looking skywardsas though searching for his fellow pilots toreturn.

After the formal ceremonies, we heard the soundof a Merlin engine, and then appearing over thecliff came a Spitfire swooping over our heads anddoing a victory roll.

Then it was on to Chatham for the night.

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Dinner at Gillingham Football ClubWe had a great dinner in the function room ofGillingham Football Club. The food was excellent,the band and singer terrific and the companywonderful. Everybody at this stage was lettingtheir hair down dancing around the tables to themusic. We even had the band play ‘Take meHome Country Road to West Virginia’ just the USState Julian had travelled from.

Sunday 2nd JuneChatham to Blackheath (We’veMade It at Last)Not being sure how my stamina was to hold out,and that we had to arrive at Blackheath by10.00am, I decided on Arthur’s strong advice toskip breakfast and start before anyone else. Theclimb out of Chatham went well, but there werestill more testing hills along the original PilgrimsWay which made progress difficult on the singletrack roads. You simply could not get rolling to asustained speed. I also felt the fatigue setting inand was unable to maintain any momentum.

There was a little light relief along the way as Imanaged to join up with Lacey, a Sun Page 3 girl,who had stopped for some more photographs andtexting messages on her I-Phone. I had greatrespect for her. She had stuck it out and clearlywas trying to make the best of what she could doto establish herself apart from her modelling.

About 10 miles from Blackheath, Arthur caughtup with me. I said that I must stop at the nextavailable place for something to eat and a coffeeas it was evident by then that we would arrivewell in time. A few miles later we stopped at apetrol station which had a wonderful café insideand I tucked into a large bacon bap followed by aCosta Coffee (tax paid).

Arthur joined me and as we sat there, severalriders had the same idea.

It must have been quite surreal for the managerto see so many cyclists turn up, many with armsand legs missing, unclipping themselves fromtheir bikes. It reminded me of the scene from thefilm ‘Reach for the Sky’ when Kenneth Baker,

playing Sir Douglas Bader, walked into a local pubwith his chums, all of whom had been injured insome form and he, himself, on his tin legs.

Finally Blackheath was reached, where officiallyour event was completed and we would bepresented with our medals, and in our Team’scase a red tee-shirt, to be worn on the FinalParade down the Mall to Horse Guards Parade.We were accompanied by 1200 other cyclists whohad joined us from as close as Clapham to as faras Edinburgh. This was going to be quite aCavalcade in to London.

Blackheath to Horse Guards Parade

Lined up in groups of the three colours red, whiteand blue plus the gold for the amputees, wegradually moved forward in convoy on our way toWhitehall. Just a mile into the ride, my gearswere giving off the most awful grinding noise. Ithought “Oh no, not now, with no back-up andjust a few miles to the finish, don’t let me down.”

The problem at first wasn’t obvious, but then Isaw a metal protection plate had worked looseand was jamming the gear change. Whilsteverybody passed by, I pulled the bike on to thepavement and yanked off the offending part andfreed up the gears. It was then a matter ofcatching up with the rest and joining the tail endof the red tee-shirts. Phew, that was a close call!

It was then I became aware of the hundreds, thenthousands, of people lining the streets all the wayinto London, clapping, cheering, waving flags andsounding their car horns. The whole nation, menwomen and children, all ages ethnicities andreligions were cheering us in. At one point, as wecrossed Tower Bridge, the noise was so deafening

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that it seemed as if we were in the middle of astadium for the European Football Cup Final. Itwas quite moving.

Into Whitehall, we completely filled the road fromend to end. There were a handful of TurkishDemonstrators but they were completelyswallowed up by our overwhelming numbers. TheTwo Minutes’ Silence at the Cenotaph andMemorial to the Women of the Second World Warwas respected impeccably, After the Service, wecontinued down Birdcage Walk, around toBuckingham Palace and then down the Mall tofinish at Horse Guards Parade.

My family were on the corner before turning intoHorse Guards Parade and I was able to hear myname called out “It’s Ronnie, he’s here,” wavingthe Union Flag at the same time. My sisters,Sheila and Debbie, were particularly thrilled asthey were featured prominently on the ITVcoverage during the news.

In Horse Guards Parade there was a 30 minuteconcert and announcements before we dispersed,in my case to ride to Wellington Barracks tocollect my kit and get a taxi to Saint Pancras.Then I had a slight mishap when I fell overbackwards wearing my cleats, my legs gave way,but fortunately I landed on everyone’s softluggage to give me a gentle landing and someamusement to my fellow participants.

My taxi driver kindly offered the fare as hiscontribution, which I thought was a magnificentgesture, and in line with all the other wonderfulsupport I had received from people who did noteven know me.

All my sponsors are going to receive a copy of myreflections, save for the taxi driver, whose emailaddress I have mislaid amongst all my kit, blast!

I hope this in some ways captures a little of theexperience, but donors can obtain some videoclips of the event by Googling ‘Help for HeroesBBBR 2013’ where they will find coverage ofeach day’s trials and tribulations.

The Ride has changed me. I am a little morehumble than before, and very much more gratefulfor the life I now have.

On the return ferry to Saint Malo I wasrecognised by one of my French students. Ithought to myself “I am now back home with mywife, Sue and wonderful friends in a very nicecomfort zone, but thanks to Peter Swanson, I hadan experience I will always treasure.”

I witnessed the finest aspects of the Human Spiritat all levels. Could this song from Mariah Careybe true? :–

There’s a heroIf you look inside your heartYou don’t have to be afraid

Of what you are.There’s an answer

If you reach inside your soulAnd the sorrow that you know

Will melt away.

And then a hero comes alongWith the strength to carry on,And you cast your fears asideAnd you know you can survive.So when you feel like hope is goneLook inside you and be strong,And you’ll finally see the truth

That a hero lies in you.

Ode of RemembranceThey went with songs to the battle, theywere young.Straight of limb, true of eyes, steady andaglow.They were staunch to the end against oddsuncounted.They fell with their faces to the foe.

They shall grow not old, as we that are leftgrow old:Age shall not weary them, nor the yearscondemn.At the going down of the sun and in themorning,We will remember them.

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The Smoking Club Roger Brookes writes:The Livery Company’s Smoking Club is now threeyear’s old. Its aim was to offer members and theirguests an opportunity to meet in relaxed andinformal settings where smoking was still thenorm.

Smoking Club events have included the popularannual Spring Reception. There have been threeof these now, all held at the top floorentertainment suite and terrace of Globe Houseby kind permission of British American Tobacco.Each year has been more successful than the last.

The Smoking Club is indebted to the significantsupport of both British American Tobacco andHunters & Frankau who have generouslysponsored the evenings. The Spring Reception of2013 was notable for the unusually good weatherwhich permitted the extended use of the terracewith its fabulous views of London’s night timecityscape.

More recently, the Smoking Club has added aQuarterly Drinks events. These are very informaloccasions set in interesting City venues that haveincluded the Coq d’Argent, Northbank and theOld Bengal Bar. Each had something differentto offer, and our parties have always been lighthearted and fun.

The informality of the occasions is perfect forcatching up with fellow members or to bring

friends as a gentle introduction to our Livery. Themost special Quarterly Drinks event in 2013 wasthat held on the roof terrace of St LawrenceJewry by kind permission of our HonoraryChaplain, the Reverend Canon David Parrott.With around forty members and guests attending,we enjoyed a fabulous, balmy summer’s eveningin an historic setting overlooking Guildhall andGuildhall Yard.

All members of the Livery Company are welcometo join the Smoking Club events and bringfriends. The more the merrier.

Details of forthcoming events are posted on ourwebsite under the heading “Smoke Signals” andnotices are issued by the Clerk.

We hope that you can join us in 2014.

EditorialThe editor has decided to lay down his pen.If the truth be known he has been forced toput an axe into his old computer and hisnew one runs a programme called Windows8.1 which is so complicated and fragile thatit takes up most of his time in trying to getit to obey instructions.

If you are reading this on the website then youmay be the next editor, but the process ofprinting and posting out 400 copies has becomeexpensive (over £5 a copy) and Newsletters arebeginning to seem rather last century.

Furthermore there is an element of samenessthat has crept in to our editions so that ifcommunicating with the Livery is not goingto be in print, blogs and so on are likely to bemuch more immediate and varied.

There are still a few of us withoutcomputers so “Farewell” and thank you foryour patience. The Court will decide whomy successor might be but I suspect it maybe the end of an era.

Vale!

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Master’s reception inSt Paul’s Cathedral28th May 2013Continuing the theme of organs Master MichaelPrideaux invited the Livery to a tour of theorgans at St Paul’s conducted by the SeniorOrganist Simon Johnson.

Over 50 members and their guests attended andwe were treated to a lecture recital of superlativestandard.

Here we see the party assembling and below isSimon Johnson playing one of no less than fiveorgans that the cathedral possess.

Afterwards the Master treated us to a sumptuousbuffet in the Paternoster Chop House.

Company Golf Day atTandridge27th June 2013In another finely organised day at this excellentSurrey golf club near Oxted a collection of PastMasters (with one splendid exception) battled itout for the generously filled hampers provided byGallaher’s JTC.

The competitive spirit was uppermost and IanPanto managed to collect two trophies.

The only downside was a lack of support fromyounger Liverymen. Come on! How can we hopeto win the Prince Arthur Cup again?

Charles Rich Cup1st Ian Panto - score 352nd Derek Harris - score343rd Conrad Blakey - score 27Nearest the PinIan PantoLongest DriveThe Hon Michael RichardsBest GuestMrs Lyn Talbot (guest of The Hon MichaelRichards) - Score 31Most improved golferMichael WalterThis year’s tournament is onMonday 23rd June 2014

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The Annual Banquetat Girdlers’Hall23rd October 2013

The Master with his full complement of Wardens.

Our principal guest Dame Elizabeth Neville DBE, QPM, DL onthe arm of the Master as they line up for the entry procession.Also in the foreground are the Mistress and Senior WardenMark Gower-Smith. Pictures by kind permission of Gerald Sharpe photography

Other VIP guests included the Master of theMerchant Venturers of Bristol, the Master Cutlerfrom Sheffield, the Master Poulter and the Masterof the Scientific Instrument Makers all with theirladies and Clerks.

Donning the Smoking Cap while the Renter Warden ArthurRichards and the Beadle applaud.

We sat down over 100 strong in the exclusiveGirdlers’ Hall which is a rarely granted privilege.It was interesting to note that their crest refers tothe gridirons on which their patron saint StLawrence was reputedly roasted.

A delicious four course, four wine meal wasserved. Snuff was taken after the Toasts and theMaster had donned the Smoking Cap. AssistantRalph Edmondson then proposed the health ofour guests.

Dame Elizabeth Neville, former Chief Constableof Wiltshire, and herself a Liveryman of theBasket Makers, spoke amongst other things of thegrowth in tobacco smuggling which now accountsfor the loss of £2 billion revenue each year.

The evening was rounded off with a recital by ourscholars from the Guildhall School of Music.

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Available from the ClerkCufflinks: £15 Livery tie: £20

Wednesday 19th March 2014Election Court & Ladies lunchin Drapers’ Hall

(Court only).

Tuesday 1st April 2014London Regiment Shoot & Social evening atBattersea 6.30pm.

Friday 4th April 2014United Guilds Service at St Paul’sCathedral. 11am

(Liverymen only. Apply to Clerk for ticket.)

Followed by lunch at Plaisterers’ Hall.

Wednesday 14th May 2014Diamond Jubilee Master’s reception at GlobeHouse Temple Place. 6.30-9pm.

Thursday 5th June 2014Installation Court & dinner at Cutlers’ Hall.

Wednesday 18th June 2014Tobacco Trade lunch at Lords in aid of theLivery Welfare Fund (formerly TTBA).

Apply to AITS. St John’s Close, Knowle,Solihull B93 0NH

Monday 23rd June 2014Livery Golf Day at Tandridge.

Tuesday 24th June 2014Common Hall Election of Sheriffs 11am

(Liverymen only. Apply to Clerk for ticket.)

Tuesday 16th September 2014Autumn Court & Dinner(Court only) HQSWellington

Monday 29th September 2014Common Hall Election of Lord Mayor

(Liverymen only. Apply to Clerk for ticket.)

Thursday 23rd October 2014Ladies Banquet at Skinners’ Hall.

Saturday 8th November 2014The Lord Mayor’s Show.

Monday 8th December 2014Carol Service at St Lawrence Jewry. 6.30pm

Monday 12th January 2015Court Meeting & Livery Dinner at TrinityHouse.

ContactsMaster:john.nokes@btinternet.comClerk:clerk@tobaccolivery.orgWebsite:www.tobaccolivery.co.uk

Diary of Forthcoming Events