Page 6 - July 2017

THE SALAMANDER | JULY 2017
LFB Cadets marching in the Lord Mayor’s Show
Our Charity Ball in September and the City Dinner in November were both well attended, and both events raised considerable sums of money for our Charitable Trust. I was delighted that we were able to support our sister organisation, the Firefighters’ Memorial Trust, at a range of events, starting with the Memorial Service at St Sepulchre-without-Newgate, then at the prestigious event in November that saw the Princess Royal officially illuminate the Firefighters’ Memorial for the first time. I was also able to represent the Company at two events at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.
Our float in the Lord Mayor’s Show was one to remember. We entered a Victorian horse-drawn manual fire engine (courtesy of Liverymen Chris and Tony Drewitt) and invited the Bakers’ Company to join us in their trade ‘whites’. We fielded a complement of insurance brigade and Victorian firefighters, and, due I suspect to a bit of arm-twisting with the Pageant Master’s office, we were very well placed towards the front of the procession. We also maintained our role as
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organisers of the Modern Livery Companies’ entry, and Liveryman Richie Bratton gave a superb televised interview to the BBC which went out across the globe.
Celebrations to mark the LFB’s 150th birthday continued throughout the year, and the Company and I were present at many of these, including the magnificent banquet at Mansion House, where I accompanied our own Alderman Tim Hailes, who was, in turn, standing in for the Lord Mayor.
For our Massey Shaw Banquet we visited Armoury House, home of the Honourable Artillery Company, where we were met by a carpet guard of the Light Cavalry. Our guests included the Masters of the Bakers’ and Hackney Carriage Drivers’ Companies, and our principal guest was the recently retired Commissioner of the London Fire Brigade, Ron Dobson. I was delighted to present the Company’s Annual Award to Ron in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the Brigade and to the safety of the people of London.
Before my year is over I have a few more commitments to fulfil. As I write this I am also preparing to attend a Buckingham Palace Garden Party. The following weekend Janice and I are off to Ironbridge for the Livery Weekend. I will then be jailed in the Tower of London, and through your generosity, hopefully bailed – or not! A quick Master’s Reception at the end of June and then it’s Common Hall, and I hand over to John Mansfield.
In summary, a great year, and I am amazingly half a stone lighter than at the outset. I wouldn’t have missed it for the world but I am definitely looking forward to putting my feet up in July.
Bruce Hoad Master.
Worshipful Company of Firefighters