WCoFF Bulletin No 2

BULLETIN No 2

Worshipful Company of Firefighters – COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

Dear Members and Friends,

At the start of the second Bulletin the most important item remains the health and welfare of all of you, your family and friends. The Emergency Strategic Coordination Board (ESCB) has this item at the top of its agenda at every weekly meeting.

Led by Peter Cowland, Almoner with the support of the ESCB members 202 of the 207 members (95.2%) have been contacted to enquire as to the health and well-being of themselves and their families. The five members who have not yet been able to be reached are because they have not updated their contact details. However, Peter and the team are firmly on the case and the Almoner is confident we shall have reached everybody in the not too distant future.

It has been pleasing to note that most members and their families are in good spirits and either working in key roles, from home or “self-isolating” until the crisis passes. A few are experiencing difficulties or distress and the Almoner is monitoring their circumstances on a regular basis. Thanks to Liveryman Robert Bryant for giving details of how the COVID-19 virus affected him, his wife and their difficult recovery. His article can be seen in the “News Desk” section on our website. Peter will now focus on those with the greatest needs but if any member requires assistance please contact the Almoner, or if you become aware of a member who requires assistance, please let Peter Cowland know on 07775 673491 or pcowland@hotmail.com.

On a happy note, on behalf of the Company we all wish Alan and Molly Mabbutt congratulations on their 60th wedding anniversary. Whilst their arrangements like many others had to be amended, I am sure a celebration party will ensue when this crisis is over.

Ian Parlane the Honorary Treasurer of the Company and the Charitable Trust is retiring with effect from July this year after 10 years in both positions. Stephen Sanders is also retiring from the role of Assistant Clerk as well. Geoff Fall applied for both posts of Honorary Treasurer and Assistant Clerk and has been interviewed by the Master and Upper Warden via Video Conferencing facility and has been offered both roles. Geoff brings 48 years of wide-ranging financial experience including at regional company level in other organisations and has worked extensively in facilities and hospitality management. On the recommendation of the interview panel the ESCB unanimously endorsed Geoff’s appointment for both posts which are to be combined into the new title of Finance Manager and Assistant Clerk. The ESCB are confident that Geoff will ensure the continuance of the high level of Treasury Management provided by Ian and over the forthcoming weeks Geoff, Ian and Stephen Sanders will be liaising to ensure a smooth transition of the roles of Treasurer and Assistant Clerk. More will follow on the Company’s appreciation for the work and commitment of both the current postholders over their long and successful period in office serving the Company.

Anybody wishing to join the Company is still welcome and arrangements can be made for the applications to be submitted to Steven Tamcken, The Clerk and for on-line interviews to take place with Nicole Hoffman (Under Warden and Chair of Membership Services) and Mark Wilson (Vice Chair of Membership Services). Please still encourage prospective candidates to join the Company as we are “open for business” in this area during this unprecedented period.

Many are aware of the difficulties that the Charitable Sector is experiencing during the Coronavirus “Lock-Down” period. There have been a number of applications that have been received since the last meeting in January 2020 and other important business to be addressed, therefore the Charitable Trustees will be meeting on-line on 28th April 2020. It also gives me pleasure to announce that Stephen Sanders has been appointed as a Trustee and approved by Court on 6th March 2020 and has also been appointed as the new Treasurer for the Charitable Trust to replace Ian Parlane.

We now enter the second three-week period of “Lock-Down” with five criteria to be satisfactorily achieved before HM Government will consider varying the current restrictions. Members of the ESCB are already considering the strategy of how if anything this would affect the Company’s current working along with the advice that may emerge from the City of London Corporation and the Livery movement. However, it is clearly obvious we will not be returning to full normality for some considerable time and maybe for some groups for at least a year or until a satisfactory vaccine is available and administered. ESCB are constantly reviewing the position which today has received the formal announcement that William Russell, The Lord Mayor of the City of London will serve another year until November 2021 whilst the Sheriffs of the City of London, Alderman Professor Michael Mainelli and Christopher Hayward, will also serve until September 2021.

In the meantime on behalf of all the ESCB, the most important issue is to stay safe and keep well.

Graham Maltby
Chair of the Emergency Strategic Coordination Board
and Upper Warden