Page 166 - Archived Back Issues

COMPANY NEWS
Common Hall
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.
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
New Clerk, Steven Tamcken
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.
The Master with his wife and the honoury chaplain, the Rev George Bush at the Service of rededication
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.
Steven Tamcken
BSc, PGDipMgmt, FCMI.
Clerk,
Worshipful Company of Firefighters.
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