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WCoFF recognised in Blue Water
If you are not a keen shopper but happen to end up in the Bluewater Shopping Mall (near Gravesend, Kent) go and have a look at the tribute to Livery Companies high up in the eves on the 2nd floor. Each Company is represented by a sculpture including the WCoFF—see picture.
Editor. Thanks to Howard Myers for sending this into us.
Massey Shaw Dinner
The dinner will be held on Wednesday 2nd March 2011, in The Insurance Hall, Aldermanbury, City of London. Members are invited to bring Wives, Partners, Family and Friends as we will be displaying the Company‘s fine collection of silver and gifts - including that donated by the now disbanded London Pri- vate Fire Brigade‘s Association and by the Occupational Fire Protection Association.
This promises to be another wonderfully entertaining evening as we are honoured to have the Guildhall School of Music and Drama as our musical feature. Our Principal Guest and Speaker at the Massey Shaw Annual Dinner will be former Lord Mayor, Sir Gavyn Arthur.
Sir Gavyn was educated at Harrow school and Christ Church, Oxford. He is a doctor of Civil Laws (City), a practising barrister (financial law) and Bencher of the Middle Temple. He was Lord Mayor of London in 2002/03 and as such, was spokesman and ambassador for financial services of London and UK with the rank of Cabinet Minister. He has led delegations for talks with the US Treasury, Federal Reserve and World Bank.
He was Master of the Worshipful Company of Gardeners in 2007 and is a Court Member of the Worship- ful Company of Wax Chandlers. He is also a Founder Court Member and Sponsor of the Guild of Public Relations Practitioners. In 2007 he was appointed a Judge by HM the Queen.‖
Did you Know?
(Some trivia facts on the Great Fire of London)
The fire destroyed approximately 13,200 homes; 89 Churches and 52 Company Halls. Approximately 373 acres inside the City and 63 acres outside the City were also destroyed along with 400 streets and lanes. The fire burned out of control for 4 days feeding on the wooden buildings until it reached the stone city walls .
Although only 6 deaths were recorded, an estimated 100,000 were made homeless and gathered in the Moorfields and Finsbury Fields area. King Charles 11 sent them some Navy biscuits but they proved inedible as they were so hard and teeth were scarce! He then sent them bread to eat—, which is slightly ironic when you consider where the fire started.
On the plus side, the fire decimated the rat population that carried plague infested fleas. After the fire, the plague diminished.