Page 108 - Archived Back Issues

MASSEY SHAW DINNER
This annual dinner to honour Captain Sir Eyre Massey Shaw, first chief officer of the Metropolitan Fire Brigade, was held at the Insurance Hall in March. The Father of the company, Gerald Clarkson CBE OStJ QFSM was present and the principle guests were Murray Craig, clerk of the Chamberlain’s court and Edward Crossley, Master of the Worshipful Company of Hackney Carriage Drivers.
Murray Craig gave an entertaining address on his role in giving the Freedom of the City to various celebrities. The Master presented him with a beautiful mounted Fireman’s axe as a memento of his visit.
The Master took the opportunity to award certificates to the various companies who supported last year’s Charity Ball. He also gave a framed photograph of the use of the hackney cabs commandeered during the war as fire fighting vehicles to Edward Crossley.
Overall, it was a very pleasant evening, with good food and jazz music provided by Silk Street Swing.
NEW WEB SITE
As members of the PR & Marketing Committee we were asked to look at the Worshipful Company of Firefighters web site and put together a plan for the refurbishment of the site. The site has to be simple to navigate and, above all, pleasing to view and informative.
We have put together the first draft of the new site using the original text but with a new “Fire Theme” as the masthead image. It was then a matter of putting together a navigational route that could be followed in a meaningful way. These common headers include The Company, History & Customs, Charities and Events. From these heading we can easily put in future pages and ensure the whole site can be updated with ease.
From an administration point of view, the membership could find it a benefit to look online for all notices, events and membership directory changes. We have a “Members login” from the public menu that will allow a member to login using a username and password. An online membership directory is among one of the new features that we have provided allowing instant updating of all members details. The member also has the ability to change their contact information and password if required.
The Future
Future work is to look at eCommerce allowing members to pay online for memorabilia and events. A number of options are available and the priority is to provide the Accountants and Auditors with exactly what they require.
A history of Fire Safety and Breathing Apparatus is shown on the website and it is hoped that members would be willing to add to these and maybe bring in more areas of history that our Worshipful Company cover making the website a source for history and learning.
At the last meeting of the PR & Marketing Committee it was agreed that a switch over and go live date would be the 3rd June 2012.
The website belongs to the membership so please get in touch with the PR & Marketing Committee should you have any ideas or suggestions for the site.
Colin Simpson
PR & Marketing Committee
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