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Where has the year gone? It seems like only a
few weeks ago Past Master Beryl Jeffery installed
me as Master of this wonderful Company.
Being an Ambassador for the Company has been
a tremendous experience, involving many
dinners, lunches, lectures, debates,
presentations, church services and much more.
Before I say anything more, I must firstly give a
great vote of thanks to you all for your help and
support during my year without which it would
not have been the success that it has.
The highlight of the year has to be the
presentation of our Royal Charter by the Lord
Mayor, which I know you all enjoyed as much as I
did! A wonderful milestone in the life history of
the Company, and an event never to be
forgotten.
The Queens Garden Party on the 20th May and
processing into St Pauls Cathedral with all the
other Livery masters for the Sons of the Clergy
service are just two more events that emphasis
the wonderful traditions we have in the City and
the great Pomp and Ceremony this Country
enjoys, as well do the tourists!
In conclusion, I would like to ask for your help in
the wonderful work of our Charitable Trust
supporting the Cadet Programmes, the Burns
Unit, as well as our core charities, RAFT, Massey
Shaw Education Trust and the Memorial Trust.
The major contributor to the Trust is our annual
Charity Ball which this year will be held on the
12th September at the Radisson Portman Hotel,
Portman Square, London.
The evening is a great opportunity to meet old
and make new friends with a free drinks
reception, 3 course meal with ½ bottle of wine
per head, entertainment, a great band to dance
to and a raffle and an auction. An early start of 6
pm gives those requiring to leave and catch the
last train to do so without missing out on the fun.
Thank you again for support.
Master Bryan Spearman
2
FROM THE MASTER’S DESK
2015 CITY FIRE
LECTURE
The 5th Annual Fire Lecture was held at the
Insurance Hall on Wednesday 22nd April 2015.
The topic, Fire and Timber Structures, was
presented by Andrew Carpenter, Chief Executive
of the Structural Timber Association and
Professor Barbara Lane, Leader of Arup's
Technology Group, who examined the fire safety
of new-build timber structures.
Peter Holland, HM Chief Fire & Rescue Advisor
gave an opening address. Gareth Bacon AM,
introduced the speakers and chaired an open
forum. Neil Gibbins, International President of
the Institution of Fire Engineers, gave the closing
address. Principal guests included Peter Dartford,
President of CFOA, and Ron Dobson,
Commissioner London Fire Brigade. Peter
Holland accepted a donation for his nominated
charity, The Prince's Trust, and invited George
Martin, the Trust's National FRS Liaison Officer,
to receive it.
The Lecture Prize Draw enabled up to 15 ticket
purchasers to visit The Leadenhall Building,
where a building architect gave a guided tour of
the building during the afternoon on the day of
the lecture.
160 people, including guests,
attended the lecture and the
opening stages were attended by
seven London Fire Brigade
Community Fire Cadets, who
assisted with reception duties and
ushered guests to their seats.
The topic was of current
relevance, and the partnership
between The Structural Timber
Association and Arup provided a
credible and authoritative lecture.
It worked well and was
appreciated by a questioning and
often critical audience. It was reassuring and
satisfying to achieve an almost full-house for the
lecture which proved challenging for the
speakers and provoked considerable interest
from the floor.
The atmosphere during the lecture and the
reception which followed, coupled with
numerous praiseworthy comments received
since then, tell us the occasion was a resounding
success.
A fuller report is available on our website along
with pictures and the speakers presentations. In
addition, a report on the Fire Lecture will also
appear in the next issue of the FIRE magazine
(June cover date) and the summer issue of
International Fire Professional.