Page 182 - Archived Back Issues

FROM THE MASTER’S DESK
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 1⁄2 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
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.
2