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FROM THE
MASTER’S PEN
Master Martin Coffey
The Worshipful Company of
Firefighters has taken a distinct
leading role in co-ordinating the
Modern Livery Companies entry
for the annual Lord Mayor's
Show. The Modern Livery
Companies, so named for being
founded after the cessation of the
Second World War, first entered
the Parade as a group following
dimension to the City streets, was a combine an initiative by the Worshipful
harvester, loaned by Farmcare Ltd, which is used
Company of Chartered as part of their Education for Schools programme.
Secretaries and Administrators in Last November the parade had 70 floats, 24
2003. military and civilian bands, 6169 participants and
was well over three miles in length, taking 1hour,
8 minutes and 39 seconds to pass the Lord Many of the Modern Companies simply could not
Mayor at Mansion House. From when the BBC
afford the entry fee and costs of a float, which
went live on air at 10.45am, the first 20 minutes can easily exceed £6000. The group initiative was
of the show differentiated by less than one successful and eleven Modern Companies
second from the timing schedule produced by
paraded. To add colour and dimension, the
the Pageant Master. I am sure you will agree that
Firefighters arranged for the West Midlands Fire
taking into account the fly past, the two minutes Brigade Band to lead a horse drawn steam
silence and the Remembrance Day poppy drop powered fire pump. This proved to be a great
from the Lancaster bomber of the RAF Battle of
success with the thousands of spectators lining
Britain Memorial Flight, this was an amazing the route. The Modern Livery Companies then
piece of logistics planning. The Lord Mayor's decided to enter the Lord Mayor's Show on a
Show is the largest parade of its kind in the world regular basis and the Firefighters volunteered to
and last November, 49 of the 107 Livery
take over the organisation on behalf of the
Companies were involved. Modern Companies.
The growing influence and importance of the Such has been the success and influence of the
Modern Companies involvement in the Lord
Firefighters that, under their direction and
Mayor's Show has bought considerable guidance, participation has increased to twenty-
recognition to the Company of Firefighters two of the currently twenty-nine Modern Livery
within the City of London. The 2006 entry was a
Companies. The entry in the November 2006
great success and all the twenty-two companies
Show was particularly successful and innovative.
involved, together with some of the remaining Innes Southard, a member of the Worshipful
seven, have indicated their wish to participate in Company of Firefighters loaned and drove a
our 2007 entry.
Dodge G16 Carmichael DL30U 100ft Magirus
turntable ladder fire appliance. This was followed
by a 1964 Southdown bus, owned by Eric
Stobart, a Past Master of the Worshipful
Company of World Traders, complete with a
traditional New Orleans style jazz band.
Following behind and bringing an entirely new
Issue 9, May 2007
Inside
Events
2007
7 June
8 June
20 June
25 June
6 July
9 September
14 September
22 September
1 October
10 October
From the Clerk 2
Obituaries 2
Partners Lunch 3
Membership of the Company 3
Caption Corner 3
Eulogy: Albert Leslie Gillings, JP 4
Fire Industry Ball 2007 6
The Royal Navy’s Firefighting
Training School, HMS Excellent 7
Liveryman Harry Paviour 8
The Massey Shaw & Marine
Vessels Preservation Society 8
Partners Luncheon
Court of Assistants
Master's Reception
Election of the Sheriffs
Common Hall
Annual UK Firefighters
Memorial Service
Court of Assistants
Fire Industry Charity Ball
Election of the Lord Mayor
St Florian's Installation Dinner
The Salamander
The Worshipful Company of Firefighters
The Clerk: Martin Bonham
The Insurance Hall, 20 Aldermanbury
London EC2V 7GF
T: 0207 600 1666 F: 0207 600 1666
E:
Contributions to the Salamander and the
Company Website should be sent to
Salamander Editor: Neil Wallington
Deputy Editor: Colin Livett
The Worshipful Company of Firefighters
Service, Fellowship, Harmony and Honour