Page 4 - August 2016

THE SALAMANDER | AUGUST 2016
COMMON HALL 2016
Master, Wardens and Officers of our Company 2016-17
The Company’s Common Hall ceremony was held at the Insurance Hall on Friday, 01 July 2016, and was followed by a Service of Rededication at the Company’s spiritual home, the Church of St Mary-le-Bow in Cheapside. Both events were well attended by Company officers, members and guests.
Common Hall is effectively the Company’s Annual General Meeting and therefore included the presentation of reports from the outgoing Master, the Finance Committee and the Company Clerk. Company members were afforded the opportunity to ask questions of the outgoing Master and other Company officers.
Although all Company appointments for 2016/17 were agreed at the Election Court in June, they became effective at Common Hall. In a well-rehearsed formal ceremony, under the watchful guidance of Past Master Colin Livett and Company Beadle, John Norris, the outgoing Master, Ronald Murray, handed over the Master’s Robe and Chain of Office to the New Master, Bruce Hoad, who was formally installed. Subsequently John Mansfield was installed as Upper Warden, Andrew Mayes as Renter Warden, Frances Blois as Under Warden, whilst Court Assistant Graham Maltby moved to become Under Warden-in-Waiting. The New Master presented Immediate Past
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Master Murray with a Past Master’s Badge, whilst Mrs Janice Hoad was presented with the Mistress Firefighter’s Badge.
Past Master Murray made several personal presentations following the delivery of his report, including a Past Mistress’s Badge to his wife, Jenny.
Other new Company appointments included the installation of Past Master Peter Cowland as Honorary Almoner, Liverymen David Holt as Court Assistant and Kenneth Williams as Sentinel. The post of Standard Bearer was formally added to the list of Company Officers and this position remains held by Liveryman John Kempton.
After Common Hall the Company processed to St Mary-le-Bow Church, escorted by a guard of exceptionally well turned out cadets from our affiliated Air Training Corps unit, 2433 (Ramsgate and Manston) Squadron.
The Service of Rededication was presided over by the Company’s Honorary Chaplain, the Reverend George Bush, who delivered a most thoughtful and challenging sermon. The service was followed by a glass of wine and a buffet supper.
Common Hall 2017 will be held on Friday, 07 July.