Salamander Archives

112 / 189

8
GREAT FIRE OF
LONDON OF
1212 - 800 YEARS
AGO
WET 10 - CITY
WATER DEBATE
One of the great medieval fires of London, also
known as “the Great Fire of Suthwark” began on
10 July 1212 in Southwark, the borough directly
to the south of London Bridge. The flames
destroyed Our Lady of the Canons (Southwark
Cathedral, also known as St Mary Overie) and
strong southerly winds pushed them towards the
bridge, which also caught fire. London Bridge had
only just been rebuilt in stone, and the structure
itself survived the blaze. However, King John had
authorised the construction of houses on the
bridge, the rents from which were supposed to
pay for its maintenance, and it appears that these
were lost to the flames.
The earliest account of the blaze appears in the
Liber de Antiquis Legibus (”Book on Ancient
Laws”), composed in 1274. According to later
traditions, however, numerous casualties were
incurred when a mass of citizens from London
rushed onto the bridge at the first signs of fire,
intending to cross the river to help extinguish the
flames. High winds carried red-hot embers
across the river and ignited buildings on the north
side of the structure. This fire trapped a large
number of people, many of whom died either in
the blaze or while attempting to escape on
overloaded boats that had come to their aid.
However, no reliable evidence survives to allow
an accurate estimate of the number of casualties
caused by the great fire of 1212, but it is known
that the damage done to London Bridge was
such that the structure remained a ruin, only
partially usable, for years afterwards.
The fourth annual City Water Debate, sponsored
by the ‘WET 10,’ took place on Monday 5 March
at Farmers’ and Fletchers’ Hall. The WET 10,
who actually currently number 13, are a group of
Livery Companies with a common interest in the
health of the water environment. The WCoFF is
one of these companies. The guest speakers
were Professor Sir John Beddington, the
Government’s Chief Scientific Adviser and Lord
Redesdale the Liberal Democrat peer.
Sir John presented a gripping and cogently argued
overview of the serious water issues facing the
world which are aggravated by climate change
and the hugely expanding world population
especially in Africa and Asia. Rupert Redesdale
particularly highlighted the need for UK water
consumers and providers, and the industry
regulator OFWAT, fully to embrace sustainability.
There was a wide range of questions from the
various Livery Company representatives and
their guests.
Commenting afterwards Colin
Drummond, Chair of the WET 10
said, “The annual City Water Debate
demonstrates the breadth of the
Livery movement bringing together
senior representatives from users and
suppliers of water, from the Farmers
and Gardeners through to the
Plumbers and Water Conservators.
We are an increasingly respected
voice in the water and environment
debate”.
For further information, please
contact: Colin Drummond,
. Additional information is
available on the WET 10 website
01823
721435
Thank you to all those who contributed to this year’s Ball either by your attendance and
hence contribution to the raffle and auction, by Corporate Sponsorship or by donations. Your
generosity enabled us to raise in excess of for our Charitable Trust.
Those of you who were able to attend, will recall a superb evening of good food, good
company and entertainment. The date for the 2012 Ball is 15th September, so mark it in your
diary. Booking details are available by calling or email
.
£23,000
07860 188 030
Bryan Spearman
Under Warden and Ball Organiser
FIRE INDUSTRY CHARITY BALL