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Common Hall
New Clerk, Steven Tamcken
Common Hall was held on Friday 4th July, 2014
in The Great Hall of The Insurance Hall. This is
the occasion when the Company bears witness
to the sworn Declarations of the incoming
Master and of the Wardens and thanks are given
to the outgoing Master.
On this occasion, we had declarations from
Bryan Spearman in becoming Master, Ron Murray
becoming Upper Warden, Bruce Hoad becoming
Renter Warden and John Mansfield becoming
Under Warden. Thanks and a presentation of
flowers was made to Past Master Beryl Jeffery for
admirably representing the Company so well
during her year.
Thanks were also given to Michael Leaver for his
support and service to the Company given freely
over the years in his role as assistant clerk. His
efforts have been gratefully received by many in
the Company and he was thanked sincerely with
a gift as a token of appreciation.
The retiring clerk, Sir Martin Bonham Bt was also
thanked by the new master for his support,
loyalty, and dedication given to the Company
since 2005. His “Stabilising Influence” was very
important to the Company over a critical period.
The Master acknowledged that Martin would be
missed in his role but the Company had offered
him to become an Honoury Freeman and
therefore the Company would have the privilege
of continuing to have a long association with him.
The Master also presented Sir Martin with a
crystal decanter as a gift and momento of his
time in office as clerk.
The Master also formally welcomed the new
Clerk Steven Tamcken to the Company. Steven
has had a career in Telecoms, Computing and
Management with a great deal of experience in
systems and web sites. He is a Liveryman with
the Basketmakers and a member of the City
Livery Club.
Following Common Hall, the newly installed
Master and Wardens, together with the
Company, processed to St Mary-le-Bow,
Cheapside, for a Service of Thanksgiving and
Dedication. This was conducted by he
Company’s Honorary Chaplain, the Rev. George
Bush.
May I first say that it is indeed an honour to be
elected as your new Clerk and will serve you and
the Company to the best of my ability - Sir
Martin Bonham certainly has made it a hard act
to follow!
At the same time, may I crave your forbearance
whilst I get ‘up to speed’ without, I hope, making
too many of those ‘learning from experience’
opportunities for myself.
So some general background; I was born in
Hackney in 1956 and moved to Hornchurch in
1970, I was educated at Hackney Free and
Suttons Secondary Schools. I eventually obtained
my BSc and Post-Graduate Diploma in
Management with the Open University.
My working life revolved around what is now
called ICT - Telecommunications and Computing
- and Management. I finally retired from full time
work in 2013, to concentrate on doing the things
that I enjoy; the Livery and other philanthropic
organisations, Sports, Fine Dining etc.
I have 1 grown-up son, Lee, from my 1st
marriage that lives in Calgary, Canada and 2
lovely grand-daughters; I now live with Jane my
long-term partner, who works in the Food
Industry, and whom I met whilst we were
training for sports competitions some 19 years
ago.
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COMPANY NEWS
I became a Freeman of the City in
2009, became a Freeman and a
Liveryman of the Worshipful Company
of Basketmakers in 2012, and
currently a Steward of the Company
and also their representative on the
Livery Council Skills Council.
I very much look forward to meeting
with you all over the coming years and
to have a long and enjoyable time
working on your behalf as your Clerk.
BSc, PGDipMgmt, FCMI.
Clerk,
Worshipful Company of Firefighters.
Steven Tamcken
The Master with his wardens left to right:
Under Warden John Mansfield, Upper Warden Ron Murray and Renter Warden Bruce Hoad
Appreciation being given to Past Master
Beryl Jeffery for her year in office
The Master with his wife and the honoury chaplain,
the Rev George Bush at the Service of rededication