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FROM THE
MASTER’S DESK
FIRE INDUSTRY
CHARITY BALL
Michael Harper
Fire Industry Ball 2013
Common Hall seems like yesterday but already a
quarter of my year has gone. Everyone tells me
that the year goes very quickly! I have certainly
enjoyed many external meetings on behalf of the
Company already ranging from the splendour of
a BP Garden Party through Livery Dinners,
Mansion House events, services at St Pauls, to
the opportunity to see at first hand the work of
many Charities associated with the City and the
Livery. I’ve seen charitable work ranging from
giving international experience for
students/graduates to the difficult work of
helping newly released offenders not to re-
offend. The charity work in the City of London is
substantial and can be really inspiring.
Of course, there have been plenty of internal
meetings as well. But it is refreshing to note the
active involvement by many involved in the affairs
of the Company and in the organising of many
events, underlining how much voluntary work
our members and officials put in and how
effective it usually is. We owe them a great debt
of gratitude. Please keep it up everyone and
thank you!!
The Company is progressing well with a sound
financial position and a growing membership. We
need to find new ways of keeping the
membership, particularly new members, engaged
and involved. Our Charitable Trust has new and
experienced leadership (Past Master Frank David
and Frances Blois). We are working to clarify the
relationship between the Trust and the Company
to mutual benefit and to be in line with current
best practice.
I wish all members and their families a very happy
Festive Season when it arrives. Don't forget the
Carol Service on Friday December 14th at St
Mary-Le Bow - it is a lovely occasion to enjoy
with Company members, friends and family.
The Fire Industry Charity Ball was held at the
Portman Hotel on September 15th and was
enjoyed by all who attended. Dancing was to
Nicole and her Big Band, there was excellent
food and good fun was had by one and all.
Wonderful entertainment was provided by the
young Mountview academy members. With lights
flashing and wailing air raid sirens, guests were
enthralled by a performance sponsored by The
Massey Shaw Preservation Society. The society
last year bid for and was rewarded with a
donation from the Trust to be used in support of
an education programme of modern history
being rolled out by the Society to schools and a
cameo of the programme was performed on the
evening. The scene experienced by those in the
London during the bombings of the last war was
vividly portrayed. In her role as an Auxiliary Fire
Women the actress held the guests spellbound as
she related life as it was during those dark days.
Our new Master Michael Harper, in his welcome
speech, thanked the guests for supporting the
Ball, graciously thanked the sponsors to whom
we were most indebted and appreciative. He
also saw that he had a duty to remind us of the
need to be as generous as possible and
participate in both raffle and auction. His words
were clearly taken to heart with record sales and
bids thus ensuring a very satisfactory outcome for
the Charitable Trust.
A very healthy donation of more than £21,000
(£6000 above target) will be made to our
Charitable Trust Fund for distribution in line with
the trustee’s objectives which include needy
causes and Education and Training.
Much thanks goes to Under Warden Bryan
Spearman for once again organising a highly
successful Charity Ball, enjoyed by over 10 %
more guests than the previous year. Thanks also
must go to everyone who provided raffle prises,
items for the auction and most importantly, the
corporate sponsors.
Following our previous successful events we are
now embarking on another great evening of
dining, dancing and raising charitable support,
again at the:
Radisson Blu (SAS) Portman,
Portman Square, London W1H 7BG
The Ball, co-promoted by the FIA and FIRESA is
organised by the Worshipful Company of
Firefighters on behalf of their Charitable Trust.
21st September 2013
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