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THE SALAMANDER | AUGUST 2016
COMMON HALL 2016
The Company’s Common Hall ceremony
was held at the Insurance Hall on Friday, 01
July 2016, and was followed by a Service of
Rededication at the Company’s spiritual home,
the Church of St Mary-le-Bow in Cheapside.
Both events were well attended by Company
officers, members and guests.
Common Hall is effectively the Company’s
Annual General Meeting and therefore
included the presentation of reports from the
outgoing Master, the Finance Committee and
the Company Clerk. Company members were
afforded the opportunity to ask questions of the
outgoing Master and other Company officers.
Although all Company appointments for
2016/17 were agreed at the Election Court in
June, they became effective at Common Hall.
In a well-rehearsed formal ceremony, under
the watchful guidance of Past Master Colin
Livett and Company Beadle, John Norris, the
outgoing Master, Ronald Murray, handed over
the Master’s Robe and Chain of Office to the
New Master, Bruce Hoad, who was formally
installed. Subsequently John Mansfield was
installed as Upper Warden, Andrew Mayes
as Renter Warden, Frances Blois as Under
Warden, whilst Court Assistant Graham Maltby
moved to become Under Warden-in-Waiting.
The New Master presented Immediate Past
Master Murray with a Past Master’s Badge,
whilst Mrs Janice Hoad was presented with the
Mistress Firefighter’s Badge.
Past Master Murray made several personal
presentations following the delivery of his
report, including a Past Mistress’s Badge to his
wife, Jenny.
Other new Company appointments included
the installation of Past Master Peter Cowland
as Honorary Almoner, Liverymen David Holt
as Court Assistant and Kenneth Williams as
Sentinel. The post of Standard Bearer was
formally added to the list of Company Officers
and this position remains held by Liveryman
John Kempton.
After Common Hall the Company processed to
St Mary-le-Bow Church, escorted by a guard
of exceptionally well turned out cadets from
our affiliated Air Training Corps unit, 2433
(Ramsgate and Manston) Squadron.
The Service of Rededication was presided
over by the Company’s Honorary Chaplain,
the Reverend George Bush, who delivered a
most thoughtful and challenging sermon. The
service was followed by a glass of wine and a
buffet supper.
Common Hall 2017 will be held on Friday, 07
July.
Master, Wardens and Officers of our Company 2016-17