number - Merchant Taylors

number

autumn 2015

The Merchant Taylors’ Company Magazine

Front cover: 2015 autumn issue
Bronze statue of the infant St
John the Baptist, from the garden 01 Message from the Master
fountain. The fountain was installed 02 Comment
in 1912. The statue, by Gilbert
Bayes, was added two years later, in Clerk’s notes
1914. Both fountain and statue were
completely refurbished in 2014. 03 Membership
Master and Wardens

New Liverymen
Apprentices and Freemen
The way to Membership
10 Staff News
James Evans-Bird
Claire Treagus
11 Our History
The Organ
12 Charities
The Livery and Freemen Fund
The Master’s Charity
Voces8
15 Education
The Regeneration of Savile Row
18 Schools
Foyle & Londonderry
Kings Macclesfield
Merchant Taylors’ School Crosby
Merchant Taylors’ School Northwood
St John’s School
Wallingford School
24 Military Affiliates
Airmen’s Command Squadron (ACS) – RAF HALTON
Second Mine Counter-Measures Squadron
28 Events
32 Catering Company

34 Sports
Cricket

Sailing
Golf
38 Obituaries

Please send in your contributions
(or feedback) for the next issue of Number 30, to:
number [email protected]

Message from the Master

exciting educational developments

The Master – Peregrine Massey However, given my more evidence, if any were
own engagement with our needed, of the Company’s
It is a particular pleasure to be educational endeavours in enormous commitment to the
addressing these few lines to recent years, it will not surprise cause of educational excellence,
you all at the beginning of my you to find my focus in this in this case in the Northwood
Mastership year. My wife D and edition of Number 30 is on area.
I look forward to meeting very that particular topic, not least
many of you as the year unfolds, because we have some genuinely Later in the year, on Saturday
and to giving as much support exciting developments to 5th March 2016, a number of
and encouragement to all that celebrate. our associated schools will
you do in the Company’s name give a concert in the Liverpool
in so many different directions. Of all the Livery Philharmonic Hall and I very
Companies, we are much hope that many of
Of all the Livery Companies, you will be there to enjoy the
we are perhaps the one with perhaps the one experience. The concert reflects
the widest spread of interests, with the widest the efforts that we have been
affiliations, commitments and spread of interests. making to ensure that major
philanthropic ambitions, and it opportunities and best practice
is therefore pleasing to be able First, at the beginning are shared between our schools,
to confirm that all the areas of September, came the and demonstrates that our
in which we are engaged are announcement of the merger educational ambitions know no
currently thriving and going between Northwood Prep bounds.
from strength to strength. School and its neighbour,
Merchant Taylors’ School. Much To the casual observer
of the hard work towards this unfamiliar with our Company, it
result was carried out during the would be immediately apparent
last Mastership, and we should that much of our philanthropic
be extremely grateful to all and charitable endeavour is
those who gave their time and channelled towards supporting
energies towards this significant young people to enable them
development. It provides yet to achieve their aspirations.
That this is a Company with
young people at the forefront of
its agenda is evidenced in our
associated schools and colleges;
in our work with our military

01

OCvOeMrMlEinNeT

Heading ?

affiliates; through the support of you who have experience or support for this incredibly
we give to young tailors and interest in this sphere. important and worthwhile cause
designers through the Golden during the course of the coming
Shears award; and in the support Finally, you will not be year.
and encouragement we give to surprised to hear that the
our apprentices and younger Master’s charity this year also We have a full agenda for the
Members of the Company. focuses on young people. year ahead, and I am ambitious
Childhood First to keep up the momentum and
One area in which I would (www.childhoodfirst.org.uk) is a good work of recent years. I am
like to think we might be able to national charity which provides also keen to ensure that you
offer more help to young people 24 hour a day therapeutic care enjoy your association with your
in the future lies in support of in its various homes to the Company to the full, and that
the arts. We have good links with most severely traumatised and you are under no doubt that we
bodies such as the Guildhall damaged young people in the want you to be as engaged as
School of Music and the Slade country. Some are as young as your commitments in other fields
School of Art, but I have a feeling five years old, and most of them will permit. I look forward to
that there is more that we may have suffered cruelty and abuse seeing as many of you as possible
be able to offer by forging closer in the hands of those who should and to representing you in all
links with this world and major have supported and protected that the Company is doing in our
artistic establishments. I would them. I hope you will be as name in the months ahead.
be interested to hear from any enthusiastic as I am in harnessing

02

comment

Clerk’s message

With a new Mastership in The charity giving from the On 31st July both the vacant site,
full swing, I can predict Membership is remarkable. and another smaller one nearby,
with some certainty another Over Peter Watkins’ Mastership were handed over to the housing
busy year for the Company, with you donated over £220,000, association developer, ONE
the cementing of many of the all of which has been passed Housing Group, to start work.
building blocks we have been to the Livery Committee for This should be a 30 month
putting in place to carry the disbursement to the charities project to completion; you can
Company further. you choose. The endowment watch its progress online.
element (increased this year by
Physically, the Hall has about £70,000) of this is now at There is less happy news,
undergone its familiar ‘summer about £700,000. It is likely that however. The Ranyard Nursing
works’ facelift which has we will hit the original growth Trust next door went in to
involved more repairs and target of £1M in 2018, which is liquidation suddenly in July -
conservation of the wood an extraordinary achievement. after many years of occupying
panelling; a new floor and buildings leased from Merchant
picture lighting in the Court It is very clear that the Taylors’ Christopher Boone’s
Room; a completely refitted majority of you favour Charity (MTCBC) and the
disabled facility on the ground education as our main area Consolidated Charity for the
floor; progress with the enabling of focus. The Education Infirm (CCI).
works for the tower clock in Committee is working hard on
the north east corner of the its proposals - please do feed This was very sad, and
building; and new serving points any thoughts you have on this extremely distressing for
around the building for the through a Livery Committee those affected. The Ranyard,
Catering Company. member. although regularly supported
by Company managed charities,
You probably won’t see the There are two current was not in any way managed by
several roof improvements and channels of development: the Company or its charities.
repairs, but I can report that the the MTET (the Company’s Our two charities will suffer a
amount of scaffolding required Education Trust, which owns short term loss of rental income
was prodigious! And we hope Merchant Taylors’ and St John’s until a new position is reached,
everyone likes the cooling schools) and the Education and a temporary reduction in
system in the Great Hall – a Committee, which is involved ability to make grants.
project that has taken over five with the several associated
years to complete. schools. We are organising a On a much more positive
joint concert on 5th March 2016 note, the Company is looking
in the Liverpool Philharmonic to expand its sporting ventures
Hall involving them all. This in to both tennis and skiing.
should be a tremendous event, We have Members poised
and details will emerge in due to take you to the courts/
course. slopes, so please do contact the
Membership Office if you’d
The re-provision of like to join them. It is not (yet!)
almshouses, about which I about ability, but about having
have written so often in these fun.
pages, has taken a major step
forward. The entire Christopher Rear Admiral Nick Harris
Boone’s site has been vacated, CBE MBE
and the final residents have been
rehoused satisfactorily in the 03
Merchant Taylors’ almshouses.

membership

MASTER AND WARDENS 2015/16

Sir William Worsley Bt DL Mr Simon Bass Mr Peregrine Massey
Under Renter Warden Second Upper Warden Master Merchant Taylor
Wiliam is a businessman, Simon is a composer and Peregrine was educated at
farmer and forester. He joined songwriter and is founder of Harrow School and Magdalene
the Company in 1982 and was the company Pure Soho in College, Cambridge. He then
elected to the Livery in 1993. London, an audio post and read for the Bar and joined the
He is a chartered surveyor with music production company City firm Thomas Miller, where
a career in building societies, which provides content for the he remained until his retirement
investment trusts and property film, television and advertising in 2012.
who was educated at Harrow industries. He attended
and the Royal Agricultural Merchant Taylors’ School in Peregrine and his wife live in
College where he studied Estate Northwood. Simon has two Kent, where they have brought
Management. William is a children Nick (19) and Cressida up their three daughters, and
former president of the CLA, (15) and is a keen wildfowler and now have two grandchildren.
The Country Land and Business stalker. He was an Apprentice Peregrine was High Sheriff of
Association. He is married with to Anthony Langdon-Down in Kent in 2010-11, is chairman of
two daughters and a son and his 1985, joined the Livery in 2003 governors of Ashford School, is
interests include shooting, skiing and was elected Under Renter a Kent Ambassador and holds a
and art. Warden in 2010. number of other appointments
in the county. He and his wife

04

membership

From left to right: Sir William Worsley, Simon Bass,The Master, Christopher Hare, Dr John Sichel

are patrons of Childhood First, Mr Christopher Peter Hare Dr John Sichel FRCP
the Master’s charity this year. First Upper Warden Upper Renter Warden
Peregrine is an enthusiastic Christopher started out as a John qualified from the
countryman and gardener, broker, and worked in the Lloyd’s Middlesex Hospital in 1975
opening his garden to the community from 1968 until his and eventually took up general
public and for various charities retirement in 2014. Christopher practice in Oxford in 1982. His
throughout the year. His was an Apprentice to Captain many interests include diabetes
interests include opera, cricket, Longsdon, joined the Livery and sports medicine, education,
getting the best out of people, in 1984 and was elected Under music, yachting and wine. John
and biography, in which area Renter Warden in 1996. He has served as Master Merchant
Peregrine describes himself as a served on many committees, was Taylor in 2012-2013 and then
bookaholic. a governor of Merchant Taylors’ retired officially from his practice
School for 10 years and rejoined in Oxford. He is still working as
the governing body as chairman a locum GP, and in his specialist
in 2012. He was educated at private practice, in Oxford. John
Dover College and was chairman and his wife, Dee, also have a
of the governors there between home in the Isle of Wight where
1995 and 2007. He is married to they are planting an orchard
Jane with three children and two and enjoy sailing. They have two
grandchildren. children.

05 05

membership

new liverymen

Left to right: Nick Hewer, Jonathan Monk, Andrew Armitage, Padraig Moore, Dan Hassell, Sam Sargant, Emma Watkins,
Nick Cartwright and Rob Morris

Jonathan Monk is an Dan Hassell joined the Nick Hewer is a lawyer but
consultant orthopaedic and Company by Servitude to spent a large part of his career
trauma surgeon. He joined Sir Charles Alexander Bt in in PR. Since selling his business
the Company by Redemption 1993. He attended Merchant he went on to have a second
in 2014. He is married with a Taylors’ School and is a retired career in television as an advisor
daughter and lives in Surrey. stockbroker. Dan is a director to The Apprentice, presenter
of a number of companies and of documentaries and host of
06 is very involved with charitable Countdown. As a patron for
activities including raising funds Hope & Homes for Children,
for bursaries for MTSN. He is and supporter of SCOPE,
married with grown up children PRIME and Shelter, Nick is
and lives in Buckinghamshire. very involved in charity work.
He joined the Company by
Redemption in 2014.

membership

Andrew Armitage joined Nick Cartwright is an exotic Sam Sargant is a theatre
the Company by Servitude to metal trader and director. administrator and producer
Sir Charles Alexander Bt in He joined the Company by specialising in plays in the West
1983. He is a qualified solicitor Servitude to Robin Tozer in 2011 End. He joined the Company
working in corporate business and was educated at Harrow by Patrimony in 2011 and plays
consultancy. He attended and Edinburgh University. He cricket for the MTCC amongst
Merchant Taylors’ School is married to Tessa and is a others. He is single and lives in
Northwood and St John’s qualified ski instructor. London.
College, Oxford. Andrew is
married to Caroline and they
have two grown up children.

Robin Morris is a chartered Padraig Moore is an Emma Watkins is a director of
accountant working for Ernst & investment professional working sales and operations for a social
Young in London, specialising in the west end of London. marketing agency. She joined the
in mergers and acquisitions. He joined the Company by Company by Patrimony from
He joined the Company by Servitude to Michael Skinner in her father Peter Watkins, in 2007.
Servitude to Graham Walker in 2007. Padraig attended Foyle She has a degree in ancient Greek
2008, and is a keen sportsman College in Northern Ireland from Edinburgh University and
and musician. before continuing his education is an accomplished musician.
at Cambridge, Oxford and Emma is currently single and
Trinity College Dublin! Padraig lives in London.
is married with a son and lives in
London.

07

membership

Apprentices and Freemen

The Master and Wardens Freedom by Patrimony Freedom by Redemption
meet to bind Apprentices John Langton Alan Cannon Jones
and admit Freemen to the Paul McGuinness
Company three times during Declan Morley-Lyne William Powell
each Mastership year. The dates Rowan Bamford
for this Mastership are: Imelda Morley-Lyne Lynda Gadd

Wednesday 16th December Fraser Ross Master Hugh Oliver-Bellasis
2015 (before the Vernon’s Master Richard Brooman
Anniversary Service) Thomas Badcock Master Piers Russell-Cobb
Wednesday 13th April 2016 Master Rosemary Hosken
Eliza Lawson Master Christopher Keville
Members of Court can have four Master Christopher Groom
Apprentices at any one time, Heather Macilroy Master Simon Morris
Members of the Livery can have Master Sir John Perring
two, and Freemen one. Ian Simpson Master Robert Eggar
Master Sam Gordon Clark
The day begins at 10am with Freedom by Servitude Master Hugh Oliver-Bellasis
a presentation from the Clerk Master Sir David Brewer
to all new entrants and their Benjamin Carne Master Johny Armstrong
supporters about the Company. Alexander Crawford Master Johny Armstrong
At 11am Bindings and Iola Hopkinson Master John Sichel
Admissions will begin and lunch Robert Sherriff
is available in the Hall from Jake Wiseman to Robin Woolley
12.30pm for 1pm. The Beadle James Collins to Richard Brooman
will accompany those being William Collins to Jeremy Harbord
admitted to the Freedom of the Duncan Pelham to Oliver Pritchard
City of London to the Guildhall Peter Trapp to Clive Nicholson
at 2.15pm. For further details Rollo Hoare to Rupert Bull
please apply to the Beadle at James Longstaffe to Piers Russell-Cobb
KMcGetrick@merchant-taylors. Cameron Craig to Robert Sherriff
co.uk or 020 7450 4441. Charlotte Gal to Hugh Oliver-Bellasis
William Ross to Andrew Mills
In the 2014-2015 Mastership year Kapil Sugand to Peter Gratton
28 people joined the Freedom to George Hamilton
of the Company, 21 Apprentices Apprentices Bound to Peter MacDonald
were bound and nine Freemen to Sally Pape
were elected to the Livery. Alexander Bassett to Henrietta Wood
Jared Bennett to Julian Metherell
Christopher Calvocoressi to Johny Armstrong
Louise Garrett to Sarah Morgan
Pia Persson to Stephen Wright
Dominique Giovannoni to Martin Robb
Charlotte Porter to John Sichel
Madeleine Sherriff
Harry Bailey
Lawrence Flaux
Charles Gratton
Alexander Hamilton
Edward Herbert
Abigail Pape
Joshua Marks
Arjun Rajani
Amelia Ross
Benjamin Seabrook
Huns Shah
Thomas Speed
Charlotte Thomson

08

membership

The Way to Membership

Joining the Freedom of the its criteria, and so these older discussion with committee
Company apprentices at a later point will members, armed only with
need to be made Free of the a reasonable knowledge of
Membership of the Company by Redemption rather the Company and a record of
Merchant Taylors’ than Servitude, in order to meet equally reasonable attendance
Company is via the Freedom in the ancient needs of Guildhall, at Company events. Successful
to which there are three routes: before being granted the applicants will be invited to
via Patrimony, Servitude or Freedom of the City of London. be admitted to the Livery at a
Redemption. meeting of Court prior to the
The third route is by annual midsummer Livery
Patrimony requires that one Redemption. This is not widely Dinner.
of your parents was Free of the used and the Company would
Company at the time of your want to be satisfied that a For further information on
birth. candidate would bring certain any of the above please email
qualities to the Company which [email protected]
Servitude is a system of it deems to be of value to it.
Apprenticeship that used only Further, it is necessary for such Company Fines
to be available to those under a candidate to be sponsored by
the age of 21, but Court has Members of Court or Livery. Fines for Admission to the
directed that two changes Freedom are standard for all
be made to the Company’s From Freedom to Livery at £250 plus at least 10% in
Apprentices scheme. The 14 to addition as a first donation to
21 years old clause has served Once they have spent two years the Livery and Freemen’s Fund
well for hundreds of years, but as a Freeman and reached (LFF), the exact donation to be
as a modern City apprentice the age of 30, Freemen must guided by sponsors. The fine on
would probably start his first apply for the Livery through joining the Livery is additional
job after university, the upper the Membership Office. There to an appropriate donation to
age limit for a Merchant Taylors’ is no system of invitation. An the LFF. The Company’s fines
Apprentice has been raised to 25 application form needs to be are as follows:
(ie before their 26th birthday). completed and returned by 31st
Those bound at the upper age January each year, and then Apprenticeship - £60
(over 21) will be required to the Admissions Committee Freedom - £250
serve an Apprenticeship until at interviews all applicants Admission to the Livery - £1,000
least age 28 before being eligible in the April. At interview, Admission to Court - £2,300
for the Freedom of Merchant candidates are expected to
Taylors’ Company. However, the present themselves for a friendly
City of London has not changed

09

staff James Evans-Bird

010 Asistant front-of-house manager

James started working event is the same and as such
at Merchant Taylors’ in challenges us to not only achieve
November 2014. the guest’s expectation, but to
exceed it. Working to such a high
He is highly skilled for this standard is rewarding, especially
role, having previously worked when the guest comes to us after
at a number of 5* hotels in the event with a big smile and
Mayfair and Knightsbridge in thanks the whole team for a
banqueting and conferences, as memorable experience.”
well as a number of other Livery
Companies. James is married and has one
son. In his spare time he coaches
James is continually impressed his son’s cricket team and also
with the history of Merchant supports his local rugby team,
Taylors’ and is always fascinated which he also used to play for.
to learn about the Company’s James also enjoys going on
stories. holiday to Mexico, and has been
known to help out at a few hotel
James says what he enjoys conferences while he’s there!
the most about working about
Merchant Taylors’ is that, “No

Claire Treagus working with couples on their
wedding organisation.
Sales & Events Co-ordinator
She says, “The love and effort
Claire has been working at we put into making sure our
Merchant Taylors’ Company clients know they have made
and living in London since the right decision in choosing
March 2013. She applied for the Merchant Taylors’ is huge. We are
job of events co-ordinator from all about people and I am proud
her home town in west Sussex, to be in this team.”
and upped sticks as soon as she
was offered the role. In her spare time, Claire enjoys
playing tennis and reading. She
It was a big change; for the also loves to travel when she can
previous 12 years she had and visit family and friends in
been working in hospitality, as west Sussex.
a waitress and a receptionist
and at conference venues. Her Claire is planning on
wide experience is a gift for the completing the ‘Peru Machu
Company. Picchu Trek’ next year to raise
money for the British Heart
Claire’s job role is now sales Foundation.
and events co-ordinator, which
means that she liaises with clients
throughout the entire booking
process. She especially enjoys

our history

The Organ

The organ in the east gallery of communion table, pulpit and font topped by a pediment. The wood
the Great Hall bears two dates, from the City church are still in is mahogany, much of it gilt or
1722 and 1966. The first is the date use. painted blue and red. The display
it was originally built; the second pipes are burnished tin. To create
is the date it was installed in the Much of the case of Harris’ enough floor space in the gallery
Great Hall. organ was now re-used for a new for small orchestral ensembles,
organ at St Mark’s, Walworth. the base of the organ has had to
The organ was originally built This was destroyed in 1940. be ‘corbelled in’ much more than
in 1722 for the Wren church Other parts of the case can still usual. This makes it difficult for
of St Dionis Backchurch, on be seen in St Edmund Lombard the organist to hear the precise
the corner of Fenchurch Street Street. The Harris pipes were effect of what is being played!
and Lime Street. Its builder was re-used (in a new case) at Darenth
Renatus Harris (c.1652-1724), Park Hospital, from which The organ was inaugurated
sometimes known as René. He the Company acquired them, on 30th June 1966 by John Dykes
was born in Brittany, where his unplayable, in 1965 for £100. Bower, organist of St Paul’s
parents were English exiles during Cathedral. There followed a series
the Commonwealth. He worked The present organ was built of public concerts, and at least
in more than sixty cathedrals by Noel Mander, incorporating a one commercial LP (the Clerk has
and churches, building at least substantial proportion of Harris a copy.) The organ is now played
seventeen new organs. The St pipes. The manual organ is at Company events and dinners,
Dionis organ was his last one. tracker action; the pedal, for space and is the only one remaining in a
reasons, is electro-pneumatic. The Livery Hall.
Harris’ original specification for case, designed by Stephen Dykes
the organ survives. Its twenty-five Bower, and built by Benfield & Stephen Freeth
stops included eight reeds, at Loxley of Oxford, was described Company Archivist
which he was particularly skilled. when new as the finest to be made
Harris was then around 70 years in the British Isles for two hundred
old, and his son John therefore years”. It is Italian-inspired, and
carried out much of the work.
The cost of the organ was £525,
to include free maintenance and
tuning for five years.

From c.1850 the City was
losing its resident population,
and becoming a place of daytime
workers who commuted from the
suburbs. Church congregations
plummeted.

In response, the church
authorities started to demolish
redundant churches, sell the
sites and use the proceeds to
build fresh churches in new
centres of population. St Dionis
Backchurch was pulled down
in 1878, becoming instead St
Dionis Parsons Green, where the

011

charities

livery & Freemen Fund The Master’s
Charity
The LFF is a fund that is for Key Stage 3 Music teachers
entirely supported by your to use the VOCES8 Method, Childhood First is a national
voluntary donations which the which has a positive effect on charity which provides
Company can use to make a concentration, listening skills, 24 hour-a-day therapeutic care
wide range of grants to charities. literacy and numeracy. in its various homes to the
Each year the LFF supports http://vcm.foundation/ most severely traumatised and
four ‘nominated’ charities damaged young people in the
and makes a number of other Skillforce country.
donations, under the guidance Skillforce has recently come
of the Livery Committee and the to the end of its three-year The children who are looked
charities’ trustees. It typically nomination. Over the past after by Childhood First are at
supports a nominated charity twelve months, the charity the very extreme end of the care
for up to three years, although has been working with Barlby sector in terms of prognosis for
each nomination is reviewed primary school and Lister their future. They cannot cope in
annually. Secondary School in Hackney, foster homes or other children’s
supporting a further 39 young homes as they experience
New Nomination people with its Onto Next significant levels of anxiety,
Earlier in the year, the Livery Steps programmes. Its work anger, depression, insecurity
Committee undertook to during 2013/2014 academic and behavioural problems that
identify a new charity for year supported 83 young cannot be contained within a
nominated support for the people, many of whom were family setting.
2015-2016 year. marginalised and in danger of
From a number of very being left behind with limited Childhood First offers a
worthwhile charities nominated opportunities. 82 of them unique model of specialist
by Members, the Committee has gained recognised qualifications. therapeutic work with the
chosen Voces Cantabiles Music, children called Integrated
which specialises in vocal music As well as working with young Systemic Therapy. This helps
and education and reaches people, Skillforce has been the children overcome the
audiences in the UK and around working with post-16 students trauma they have experienced,
the globe. on a pilot programme in Tower develop healthy relationships,
Hamlets, and expanding on to catch up educationally and to
VCM had just finished a pilot work in north London to enjoy life!
project with year seven pupils develop the Skillforce Family
in 23 primary schools chosen Programme which works with The charity is connected to
by Hackney and Tower Hamlets students and their families to the Company through some
Music Services, when the charity create a better family life and of its patrons: Court Member
came to the attention of the home environment. The Earl of Stockton, Honorary
Livery Committee. http://www.skillforce.org/ Freeman Baroness Butler-Sloss
and the Master and his wife.
Support from the Livery Looking ahead www.childhoodfirst.org.uk
& Freemen Fund will enable In summer 2016, the Livery David Atkinson
VCM to continue to work with Committee will be looking to
a number of these schools nominate three new charities
and build on the successes of for support. If you would like to
the pilot programme. VCM recommend an organisation for
will provide singing and consideration, please forward
music sessions in primary and your suggestions by email to
secondary schools and at the Charities@merchant-taylors.
Gresham Centre itself. co.uk.

It will also involve training

012

charities

voces8 method Apollo 5 Musical Adventure

Time and again research VOCES8 has an enviable music education in the UK.
shows the benefits of music reputation for its education In 2013 VCM established the
and singing for learning and work. The ensemble leads an
well-being. innovative series of music Gresham Centre in partnership
education workshops reaching with the Diocese of London, a
The VOCES8 Method, written 20,000 people annually around vocal Centre for Excellence at Sir
by Paul Smith in response to a the world, working in over Christopher Wren’s beautiful St
study published by the Institute 200 schools, with the aim Anne & St Agnes Church in the
of Education, is the cornerstone of inspiring creativity and City of London.
of VCN’s work and teachers excellence through music. They
attest to its positive effects. This also work closely with British This season VOCES8
ground-breaking method is a a cappella ensemble Apollo5, continues as resident ensemble
unique teaching tool designed who are heavily involved in the at Bedford School, Ardingly
for students of all ages and is programme. College, Bradfield College and
proven to lead to development The Grey Coat Hospital, and
in numeracy, literacy and The innovative education begins a new relationship with
linguistics. work of VCM has received praise Birmingham University. It also
from UNESCO and since 2005 leads the Milton Abbey Summer
As the flagship ensemble has raised £1 million towards School.
of the charitable foundation,
013

charities

“Ifirst met VOCES8 and To help give you a picture of For young leaders in Hackney,
Apollo5 when I was what the ensembles’ education Ealing, Berkshire, Surrey and
a director of music at an work involves, here is a snapshot Woodbridge it means (in their
independent boarding school. from our 2014-15 UK education own words):
It took only moments for programme:
them to engage the students in “Developing leadership skills.”
their workshops and I see the For 1,300 children in Hackney
same expressions of awe and and Tower Hamlets: “Having the confidence to sing
enjoyment on the faces of the in front of a group for the very
children and young people in • four special singing sessions first time.”
every VCM workshop I attend. in their schools with two
members of Apollo5 “Improving my confidence.”
This is particularly the case
when the ensembles work with • a trip to the Gresham Centre “Being creative and feeling
children who have little to no to hear Apollo5 and perform proud of myself when I
access to high quality music with 100 of their peers improved my teaching.”
making.
• A unique opportunity to sing The success of the method
Whether it is the child with with professional singers and however would not come
special educational needs who visit a Wren church without the passion and
was transfixed by Apollo5’s enthusiasm that VOCES8
singing and eager to take part; • Additional singing resources and Apollo5 bring to their
the chamber choirs in secondary for their teachers including work. Their skill, energy and
schools with strong music the VOCES8 Method commitment shine through
departments; or the year 2 boy every workshop and concert,
from a primary school where For 250 primary school children so much so that even the
52% of the children qualify in Newham: most reluctant teenagers find
for free school meals, who themselves singing in no time
recently asked me ‘when can • a special singing project, at all.”
I come and do this again?’, all the first of its kind in their
benefit from VCM’s passion and schools; Written by Ann Wright
commitment.
• a day at the Gresham Centre
with Apollo5 and the Newham
singing leader

Apollo5

014

educaTion

EDUCATION UPDATE

In the most significant technique that involves many differences between the schools,
change in Merchant Taylors’ of the traditional chemical what they had learnt and
Education since the purchase practices of photography, how they would apply this to
of St. John’s school in 1984, this without the need for a fully teaching in their own schools.
September the trustees of the functioning darkroom. It was an incredibly positive
Merchant Taylors’ Educational Emma’s research project experience for all involved, as
Trust were delighted to aims to evaluate the impact it is rare for schools to get the
announce the merger of of traditional photographic chance to share best practice.
Northwood Prep with Merchant practices on students’ outcomes
Taylors’ School, creating a in art and design. The research In June the Immediate Past
school for 1200 boys aged 3-18. considers students’ confidence Master hosted a lunch at the
levels and schools’ pedagogy Hall for 15 students from St.
Northwood Prep (now in encouraging students to Saviour’s and St. Olave’s School
re-named Merchant Taylors’ experiment and take creative who were chosen for doing
Prep School) is an extremely risks. Emma’s research is particularly well throughout the
successful independent boys’ being trialled both within her year. For many of the students
prep school and is situated school and is also being offered it was their first time visiting
adjacent to the western to other schools in order to the Hall. The Beadle gave
boundary of Merchant Taylors’ consider a broader research them an introduction to the
School. It will join St. John’s base. Company which was followed
school in receiving all the by a lesson on table laying from
benefits of MTET’s single In June, Wyll Willis, head of the front of house manager.
ownership with Merchant Wallingford School, invited The girls enjoyed their meal in
Taylors’ School. staff of the associated schools the Library with the head Ms
to a week’s training conference. Catherine May, Mr Watkins and
The Education Committee has Staff from Merchant Taylors’ Kate Fenwick.
been working on several other Crosby Boys’ School, Foyle
new projects and initiatives. College and St. Helen’s School Finally, work is underway for
One of these is the opportunity spent their time experiencing the joint schools concert on
for staff at our associated school life at Wallingford, Saturday 5th March 2016 at the
schools to win grants for observing lessons and meetings, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall.
research projects. and also taking some classes Each school will be performing
where appropriate. Some of the an individual piece in the first
Recently, Ms Emma Bowater, head teachers and members of half before coming together for
art teacher at Wolverhampton the senior leadership teams met mass orchestra and chorus in
Grammar School, was towards the end of the week the second. We would warmly
awarded a grant to research to explore what they could welcome Members of the
experimental photographic learn from each other, on the Company, along with a guest
processes, in particular the or two, at the concert. More
process of cyanotype, a information on tickets will
be released in due course, but
if you would like to register
your interest please do so
by contacting the education
officer.

Written by Diana Watson

Dr Karen McNerney, Head of School, Merchant Taylors’ Prep

015

016

EDUCATION

The
Regeneration
of Savile Row

The survival and prosperity through eventually to a Level 5 years in this apprenticeship
of Savile Row and its higher apprenticeship, which we scheme, where young trainees
businesses is dependent on are currently developing with are mentored by master
the continued availability of a the government’s Trailblazer craftsmen to develop skills
skilled and motivated workforce. initiative. which give them a passport
to good jobs anywhere in the
Some ten years ago, I joined The government’s ambition world.
forces with Liveryman Philip is for all apprenticeship starts
Parker, now vice chairman of from the 2017/18 academic In early July this year, at
Henry Poole & Co, to develop a year to be on new standards Merchant Taylors’ Hall, we
training programme that would and assessments designed by celebrated the fact that 55
attract young people to this employers. With the support apprentices had been trained
specialist craft. of the Merchant Taylors’, we since 2004, and welcomed
have been able to develop our our new generation of skilled
An industry feasibility standards document to support craftsmen and women. These are
study produced in 2004 clearly our Higher Level 5. the people who will contribute
identified the shortage of to employment in our trade and
necessary skills and the fact Most young people joining beyond, thus stimulating wider
that workforces were likely to the apprenticeship scheme are economic growth and prosperity
be small and ageing. There was well equipped in state education and insuring the future of
a desperate need to start the exams, which is mandatory London’s finest bespoke
process of securing a young in any government-backed tailoring industry. What better
workforce that would protect training. Others are not, having place to formally finish their
the craft for future generations. been failed by the educational training and begin their career
system. Put these young people in earnest.
A training and qualification into a craft-led mentoring http://www.merchant-taylors.
programme is now in place, environment and they begin co.uk/bespoke-tailoring-
based on the wisdom of over to show high levels of skill and apprenticeship-standard
100 years of experience of talent. They gain confidence and
skills training. Recognised self-belief, which is wonderful Su Thomas
worldwide, it provides a to see. Professional educator and
structured apprenticeship consultant to Savile Row
system for a young person to Savile Row companies have
progress through four levels, invested considerable funding
from pre-apprenticeship and resources over the last 10

017

Schools

foyle & londonderry Foyle College first sod

The work on the new to co-locate with Foyle College Magee a huge opportunity - to
£31m building for Foyle on this wonderful site on the grow, expand and improve its
& Londonderry College and Limavady Road,” he said. offering to our pupils,” he added.
Ebrington Primary School is
now underway. There were The school will soon have “This cross sectoral
scenes of celebration on the site an outstanding building with enhancement of all the facilities
in Limvady Road on 28th May excellent facilities providing at primary, post primary and
when the first sod was cut. an inspirational learning third level education will have
environment. benefits for all. It also attracts
Nigel Dougherty, principal investment, creating jobs and
of Ebrington Primary School, Mr Robin Young, chairman wealth for all of the people of
said that although his school of governors at Foyle College, our city.”
had a long and proud history said he was looking forward to
stretching back to 1902, it celebrating the school’s 400th Foyle DUP MLA Gary
was the future they were anniversary at the brand new Middleton said it was an
looking forward to with great site. historic day and a further step
excitement. towards improving the quality
“This building will not only of educational facilities in the
“This is the beginning of improve the teaching and Waterside.
our vision for a new Ebrington learning experience for our
Primary School as we prepare pupils in Foyle College, it also Patrick Allen
gives the University of Ulster at

018

Schools

Kings Macclesfield Exploring the salt flats of Boliva

Students at The King’s School ago, said, “Our young academics tour of the Andes, the giant salt
were seeing stars on both have achieved exceptional results flats, the teeming jungle and the
A Level and GCSE results days across the full range of science, colourful river basin. It was a
- matching the school’s record arts and humanities subjects trip that none will ever forget.
for the top A* - B grades for A and are now going on to many
Levels, and earning the school a of Britain and America’s great A number of trips also took
top place in the national league learning universities with the students to various locations
tables. right attitudes and skills to a little closer to home, which
succeed in their chosen fields.” included sailing in Scotland,
At A Level, 45 students rugby in Ireland and honing
achieved three As or better, and This summer saw 20 pupils language skills in France and
ten students achieved three A* participating in a World Spain. Future jaunts already in
grades. An impressive 45% of all Challenge expedition to Bolivia. the diary include an economics
grades were A*/A and more than At the heart of their trip was trip to the USA in October, a
80% were A* - B. a community project helping German exchange programme,
a tiny school in the Bolivian a history trip to Munich and
Four students will go on to outback. As well as building a a geography trip to Croatia
study at Oxford and Cambridge new toilet block and giving the - continuing the great King’s
universities, whilst 60% will school a facelift, King’s Sixth tradition of ambitious overseas
attend prestigious Russell Group Form students gave English exploration.
Universities. The 512 year old lessons to the local children
Macclesfield school is one of the while they themselves learnt Simon Hyde
top 200 independent schools in about the life of rural children
the Daily Telegraph league table. in the developing world. The 019
students went on a month-long
King’s headmaster Dr Simon
Hyde, who took over four years

Schools

Merchant
Taylors’
School Crosby

Merchant Taylors’ Boys’ reputation as employers and Harry Williams
School student Harry their focus on client care was
Williams, from Birkdale, has renowned. partner interviews. The day
been selected to join BDO was pressurised, there were
International School Leavers’ Headmaster David Cook strong personalities and the
Scheme starting in September. commented on how gaining group exercise was particularly
BDO is the fifth largest a place on such a competitive difficult.
accountancy network in the scheme is a major achievement.
world. He said, “We are very proud “Within two days I was
of Harry. He went through a offered the position of audit
With the advent of changes rigorous recruitment process trainee in Liverpool with an
to the university structure and against other candidates at initial contract of two years. If
fees, school leavers’ schemes and graduate level. I am sure he I pass my exams and work to a
apprenticeships are becoming will progress well within the high standard, I will be offered
more popular and much sought company and be work-ready at a further three year contract
after. It is very possible to a time when other students are and qualify as a chartered
become professionally qualified only just graduating.” accountant.
alongside a permanent salaried
career without the expense of Harry says, “It was a lengthy “I am looking forward
funding higher education. process, which involved on-line to working at BDO; I know
psychometric tests in numeracy, that it will be hard but the
Harry, who achieved literacy and reasoning, timed opportunities offered are
outstanding A Level results with and designed to put you under amazing. I will travel within the
two A* and two A grades, was pressure. I was invited for a UK and could spend my third
inspired by his sister Georgina, first interview at short notice, year abroad. My salary rises
who was also a student at followed by an assessment day after two years and dramatically
Merchant Taylors’. She took an in Manchester the following on qualification. As a 23 year
alternative route to university, Tuesday. old chartered accountant with
working as a legal apprentice, five year’s work experience and
earning and having her studies “I prepared a presentation for no student debt, I could apply
funded. a recruiter, took part in both a for numerous well paid and
group exercise and individual interesting positions in any
Harry researched and written exercise and had two field.”
found firms offering various
programmes in accounting;
many offer bursaries or specific
school leaver schemes, and a
larger number of smaller firms
employ apprentices. Some host
‘Insight days’ for school students
in Year 10 and above, offering
help with the application
process. As with university,
offers are conditional on A level
results but specific subjects are
not required.

Of all the companies he
looked at, BDO stood out; their

020

The Triennial Service at St Paul’s Cathedral

merchant taylors’ school northwood

The boys continue to achieve netting with our pupils – we This year the school carried
at the highest level - for like to think that the wickets out the first of a biennial series
example, at A level, 71% of all our bowlers took (ruefully of surveys of parent, pupil and
grades were awarded an A* or acknowledged on Sky TV by staff opinion. Of the 20 non-
A. 23 students achieved three Michael Clarke) softened up the academic elements of school
or more A* grades; 16 boys tourists for our national side. life surveyed, parents and pupils
gained places at Oxford and Our sports teams are dominant rated all 20 as ‘outstanding’.
Cambridge. At GCSE, over half locally in the three major sports, The school’s overall success is
the year group were awarded but we also offer 20 additional reflected in the decision of the
7 or more A* grades and 31 sports. Our pupils include the prestigious Good Schools Guide
were awarded 10 A* grades British Junior Kayak Champion, to choose an aerial image of
or more. Overall, 86% of the the winner of the Scottish Open MTS for the cover of their 2015
exams taken were awarded A* Taekwondo competition and edition.
or A grades. But it is beyond the Welsh Junior and Senior
the classroom that we really swimming champions. MTS beat local rivals Haberdashers’
show our strength. Whether Aske’s by nine wickets in a T20 match
in the Cambridge Chemistry Music and drama also
Challenge, the British Physics continue their strength, as those Australian keeper Brad Haddin with MTS
Olympiad or the Arkwright who attended the wonderful student Nikhil Rawal (Middlesex)
Scholarship programme, we are Triennial Service at St Pauls or
at the top table. any of our many concerts, plays
and performances will know.
In sport, we continue to enjoy
great success. Our boys are A recent focus on enterprise
winning more and more county and entrepreneur skills has
and national representations. also led to success in Young
Across rugby, cricket and Enterprise and the National
hockey, 62 boys have county Business Strategy Competition.
or regional representative
honours and five represent We have continued our focus
England. Once again, we hosted on improving the school’s
the Middlesex senior side, facilities. The Design Centre is
playing first class cricket against now ready to open its doors, we
Somerset. This summer, the have a new all-weather playing
Australian Ashes team spent area, and by the New Year
two days training at MTS, we will open the new history
classrooms.

021

Schools

Northwood Team work challenge

St John’s School

Once the rigours of the 13+ German. Then there are other the obstacle course in the fastest
entrance examinations activities to choose from, such time.
are over, St. John’s Year 8 pupils as cooking, astronomy and
are offered a diverse range of community service. All the Year 8 boys also
activities through the Post compete in the St. John’s
Examination Curriculum. This One of the most popular Teamwork Challenge. This is a
gives boys the opportunity to activities in recent years has long and testing day where the
experience a wide variety of been pioneering, where the boys work in teams on initiative
activities which aim to improve boys learn to construct simple exercises. NCOs from Merchant
their confidence and thinking machines using ropes, pulleys, Taylors’ School, Northwood
skills, their ability to work branches and trees. With the CCF staff the entire event.
co-operatively and help to help of the teachers, they use
generally develop their life skills these skills to build an obstacle It is experiences such as these
before they transfer to their course in the forest area of the that not only live long in the
senior schools. school. memories of our pupils but also
really do help them to prepare
There are some compulsory Then the real fun begins when for the challenges of senior
courses, such as the ten-week local schools come to compete school.
Business Enterprise course, or in the Northwood 500 - a team
taster courses in Spanish and event to see who can complete Jessica Savage

022

Schools

Wallingford School Results day!

Wallingford has been doing confident of results in the high at the start of the year than most,
rather well for a few years, 70s, despite warnings of results and rightly so. The results are
so the fear on results days is dipping nationally. Wallingford more the consequence of their
always that this is the one where had been in the top two schools hard work than any other factor.
we get found out. This year the of the 35 in Oxfordshire for the
presence of a media crew filming previous three years and coveted To achieve results like this
students receiving their results a return to the top spot. The everything has to be right,
rather added to the pressure! eventual result was 84%; beyond and a school needs to draw on
anything the county had seen every resource available. Our
But as it turned out, we were before. association with the Company
glad of our visitors because is one such resource and we are
it offered the opportunity for We then spent a few tense glad of the link and very grateful
some very public gloating. hours watching the tickertape for the support we receive.
A headline figure of 36% of of results from the dozen or
students getting A* to A grades so genuine competitors in Now we can start to panic
is an impressive one, however a Oxfordshire. None matched us; about next year.
more honest mark of quality is in fact we ended up 10% ahead Wyll Willis
the value we add in comparison of the second school, which is
to other schools nationally. really remarkable. Wyll Willis and Harry Castle
This year we remain in the
top band for progress, among Our value added is likely to 023
the highest performing 20%. place us in the top 1% of schools,
Almost everyone had done well; meaning that a young person of
from those seeking work and any ability would have to pass 99
apprenticeships to the successful schools before they could expect
Oxbridge applicants. It is such a to find one that would give them
joy to share in days like these. the results Wallingford students
achieve.
As we have a sixth form
there is the double jeopardy The day was a wonderful one
of GCSE or A LEVELS results, with a lot of very happy children
which somewhat constrains and parents lingering to enjoy
early celebration. We were fairly the moment. Our teachers were
rather keener to return to work

military affiliates

AIRMEN’S COMMAND SQUADRON (ACS) – RAF HALTON

Located at RAF Halton in course members and is aligned instructional staff. Pulling
Buckinghamshire, Airmen’s with the core RAF principles of your team through a gap in an
Command Squadron (ACS) respect, integrity, service and electric fence and crossing a
delivers education and training excellence. ACS train personnel raging river under tight time
to equip Non-Commissioned from a range of backgrounds constraints are the sort of
Officers (NCO) with the and trades, as good leadership is scenarios that students face
knowledge, skills and attitudes required of anyone in the RAF, while on the course.
required to be effective leaders whether they are a chef, engineer
and managers. In addition to practical
or RAF Regiment gunner. ACS
The Squadron delivers seven is used to tailoring training to a leadership, ACS students also
courses aimed at personnel wide and diverse range of needs, learn about their own character
from the ranks of Corporal including those of other public and develop the personal skills
through to Warrant Officer and private sector organisations. required for effective leadership.
for both Aircrew and Ground The impact can be extremely
trades. Each time an Airman is Valuable leadership lessons powerful and has been described
promoted, the RAF invests in can be learnt from the simulated as “life changing” by some
their development with a timely tasks, or ‘leads’, facilitated by students and their instructors.
training intervention aimed
at developing leadership and Airmen’s Command Squadron Training
management skills.

This, conscious, professional
development of Airmen is
designed to meet the needs of
the Royal Air Force today and in
the future. Airmen’s Command
Squadron train in excess of 2000
RAF personnel every year.

The ACS aims to be a
forward looking, ‘centre of
excellence’ for NCO education
and development. To provide
the highest quality training,
ACS instructional staff are
chosen on merit through a
challenging selection process
from all branches of the RAF.
The Squadron is led by a seven-
strong executive team headed by
a Squadron Leader, and includes
Warrant Officers to manage
the different leadership courses
appropriate to the students’
newly promoted status.

ACS instructional staff
seek to create an educational
environment that meets the
varied learning needs of all

024

military affiliates

In between delivering RAF
courses, ACS instructors have
also delivered bespoke training
events for external agencies,
and recently hosted a leadership
programme for British
Aerospace Systems Emerging
Leaders.

“Businesses and other military
personnel the world over are
aware of the specialist training
that we offer and can see the
benefit of receiving a bespoke
course, designed to support
individuals in becoming better
leaders and followers,” explains
Flight Sergeant Smith, one of the
most experienced instructors at
ACS.

As part of a wider MOD
initiative, ACS has recently
forged links with the Rochefort
Academy, which delivers
leadership and management
training for the Armee de l’Air,
(French Air Force). Personnel
from Rochefort Academy
visited ACS in April this year,
to take part in an instructor
development workshop and
develop ideas for collaborative
working. A reciprocal event will
take place at the end of this year,
when ACS personnel are due to
visit the Rochefort Academy.

Sqn Ldr Phil Poole

025

Military affiliates

Second Mine Counter-measures Squadron

The Ships and Staff during the tanker wars in the spread throughout the Gulf of
of the Second Mine late 1980s. During this period, Oman, Gulf of Aden and in the
Countermeasures Squadron several ships struck mines, Southern Red Sea.
(MCM2) have had another busy including the USS Samuel B
year. In this article, I would like Roberts in April 1988. Therefore Their mission is to
to concentrate on our current the mission of our forces is to understand the seabed and
main effort, the support of reassure our friends in the Gulf conditions in the area, while
coalition operations in the States and assist in the training ensuring the safety of merchant
Persian Gulf. These continuing and capacity building of their vessels transiting through those
operations are now one of forces. waters. HMS CHIDDINGFOLD
the key factors in the United was a key element throughout,
Kingdom’s Gulf Strategy and Currently MCM2 has HMS working with the US Mine
the task itself has become better ATHERSTONE, Commanded Hunters Sentry and Dextrous,
supported with the opening of by Lt Cdr Mark Headley RN, and then Gladiator and
HMS Jufai in June this year. and HMS CHIDDINGFOLD, Devastator.
Commanded by Lt Cdr Tom
This purpose built facility Trent RN, in theatre. The Crews The operation was also an
in Bahrain is designed with in these Ships rotate on a six- opportunity for the Command
storage and maintenance areas seven month basis and return to Team to work with, and
and provides support to the two the Gulf every two years. understand, the capability of
HUNT Class Mine-Hunters the advanced technology in
from MCM2 and SANDOWN ATHERSTONE has now unmanned, underwater vehicles
Class from MCM1 in Scotland. been based out of Bahrain for and remote mine hunting
The Commander UK Mine over three years and will finally systems.
Countermeasures Force return home for Christmas this
(COMUKMCMFOR) leads this year, being relieved by HMS Outside the busy operational
team on a six month rotation MIDDLETON. On her way schedule, the team have been
based on our support platform home she will pass through preparing for a charity event
RFA CARDIGAN BAY. The the Gulfs of Oman and Aden, where between them they will
current COMUKMCMFOR transit the Red Sea and Suez, endeavour to ‘lift’ a HUNT
is Cdr Paul Ottewell RN, the Mediterranean and Bay of Class Mine Hunter. Over the
who will relieve me in post Biscay, before finally seeing the space of a week, the team will
as Commander MCM2 in welcoming waters of the English lift 615 tonnes between them,
December, supported by Lt Cdr Channel and Portsmouth. She requiring an individual effort
Jason White QGM RM who will then go into a period of of 6000kg per day. The money
remains as our Chief of Staff UK running before entering an raised will go to the Merchant
and who will return to us later upkeep period, where she will Taylors’ Guild, the NDCS and
in the year. be refitted after the challenges of Royal Navy and Royal Marines
Gulf summers and receive new Charity.
It is with good reason that engines.
Royal Navy Mine Hunters are In our day to day business,
so valued by our coalition allies COMUKMCMFOR has been our ships continue their
in the Gulf. With its relatively leading an international force of engagement with the Gulf
shallow waters, mines form a Mine Hunters, diving teams and states, notably Saudi Arabia,
considerable threat in the area. remote mine hunting boats and UAE, Bahrain and Qatar.
Iraq laid mines during both Gulf submersibles on a number of ATHERSTONE’s diving team
wars, seriously damaging the operations outside of the Gulf. recently conducted a two day
USS Tripoli and Princeton in The force itself has been made task to locate and recover 10
1991, and Iran mined the Gulf up of over 500 personnel and tonne fenders from the seabed
10 different operational units, near Abu Dhabi. This task
showed the unique capabilities

026

of our mine hunters, and in Military affiliates
so doing helped the local port
authorities with a task that RN Mine Hunter
would have cost thousands
of pounds. It is the good will Force of International Mine Hunters
generated by these tasks that
maintains our standing with the 027
countries in whose waters we
routinely operate.

The MCM2 staff continue
with their task of preparing
new crews and their ships to
fulfil the six month rotation of
personnel in the Gulf. They are
also still deeply involved with the
programme to fit the remaining
HUNTs with new engines, with
HMS LEDBURY being the latest
ship to receive the excellent
Caterpillar Engines in place of
the old Deltics. These engines
have provided sterling service
over the years but are the same
engines that were used in the
Class 55 diesel locomotives that
were withdrawn from service in
1982!

All in all, it might seem like
business as normal for the
MCM2 team but there continue
to be new challenges and tasks
that keep the team, both here
and in the Gulf, exceptionally
busy.

Cdr Richard Golstone RN

events

The Billesden Dinner 2015
24th June 2015

Since 1484 the Merchant Taylors’
Company and the Skinners’
Company have been at sixes and
sevens! Each year since then the
Companies have entertained
one and another to dinner at
their respective Halls to foster
love and peace between the two
Companies.

Honorary Freemen Dame Elizabeth Master of the Skinners’ Company and Master Merchant Taylor
Butler-Sloss and Lord Dannatt with Andrew The Tiffinians

Kennett Clerk to the Skinners’ Company

Charity Gala Dinner
27th May 2015

Over 250 people attended the
Charity Gala Dinner in aid of the
Livery & Freemen Fund, with special
emphasis on The Cure Parkinson’s
Trust. The evening raised in excess
of £60,000 for the LFF so a big thank
you to all our contributors and
buyers of items in the auctions. The
evening was very well attended
by Members of the Company who
brought guests along, and we also
had a number of corporate tables.
Entertainment was from magician
Drummond Money-Coutts, organist
Sam Hayes, and The TIffinians,
who very generously donated a
performance to the auction and
raised £2,000!

The Bishop of London Drummond Money-Coutts Tom Isaacs

028

Election Service events
16th June 2015
The entertainment, Pearl Fish
Over 250 people attended the
annual Election Service and
barbecue supper. This is a very
popular event which is held in
early summer, and each year so
far guests have been able to use
the Courtyard for a barbecue after
the service.

These photos show the past
Master handing over a Company
donation of £60,000 to the Cure
Parkinson’s Trust, which was
his nominated charity for his
Mastership year.

The Whitehead family

Mrs D Massey making her speech Dowe’s Convivium
13th May 2015

This dinner is held in May each
year in remembrance of Robert
Dowe (1523 – 1612), a Houndsditch
tailor who was Master in 1578
and was a great benefactor of
the Company. He was buried in
St. Botolph’s church in Aldgate,
in which the Company erected a
monument to him in 1622.

His portrait, which bears the
date 1606, and the inscription “A
virtuous lyfe is the fairest passage
to a blessed death,” hangs in the
Court Room.

In a quaint custom the
Prospective Master’s Lady replies
on behalf of the guests to the
Master’s speech.

029

events Master & Wardens off to Church

Wylford’s Anniversary Service
30th March 2015

James Wylford was a ‘rippier’ or fish merchant
of Rye in Sussex, and a merchant of London, who
was Master of the Company in 1494 and Sheriff of
London in 1499.

He was probably engaged in overseas trade,
as he sought and obtained discharge from the
office of Alderman because of losses abroad.
Four members of the family were Masters of the
Company at various times in the 15th and 16th
centuries.

In his will dated 27th April 1526,Wylford
directed that the Master and Wardens mark his
anniversary every year. He also made provision
for a sermon to be preached every Good Friday
upon the Passion of our Lord.

The expense of carrying out this direction
was to be met from the proceeds of a rent charge
of £9. 13s. 4d. a year which he bequeathed to
the Company, the balance of which, after some
provision for coals for the neighbouring poor,
was to be spent on repairing the highway
Wylford had built between Riverhill in Kent and
Northiam Church, near Rye.

HMS HURWORTH
16th September 2015

Several Members of the Merchant Taylors’ Company visited HMS HURWORTH while she was berthed at the ExCel
in London, supporting the Defence Security Exhibition International (DSEI). They took a guided tour and joined
the crew for a buffet supper and drinks.

From left to right: Christopher Temmink, Christopher Keville, Philip Miller,
Martin Clarke, Lt Ben Brown, Lt Cdr Steven White, Lt Scott Hamer

030

events

Livery Dinner
7th July 2015

Each year the Company holds
a dinner when Liverymen
are reminded of their oath to
attend the Hall at Midsummer.
The Company welcomed new
Honorary Freemen Admiral Sir
George Zambellas KCB DSC
ADC DL and Sir Ben Ainslie CBE,
along with nine newly elected
Liverymen.

Admiral Zambellas

Ben Ainslie and the IPM Alex Keville Richard Brooman, Robert Jan
Temmink and Simon Bass

Masters and Wardens at the Livery Dinner

031

catering company “

My perfect
wedding at

“ Merchant
Taylors’ Hall

Newlywed Ellie Bateman for us, the team at Merchant relax knowing I wasn’t going to
talks about her beautiful Taylors’ Hall were so helpful, have to go outside and ruin my
June wedding at Merchant they made getting married easy. hair and make-up before the
Taylors’ Hall and why she and Our wedding planner at MTH ceremony. It’s such a beautiful
her husband Ian wouldn’t have was Zara - she was amazing. We space, full of light, and that
changed a thing. handed every supplier, query wallpaper! It made a wonderful
and challenge over to her and backdrop for our pictures.”
The venue she just simply sorted it out.
The service
“We loved Merchant Taylors’ “We asked to have real petals
Hall as soon as we saw it on the at the service and she went as “I was a little nervous I’d feel
website, but the pictures hadn’t far as getting in a sample to overwhelmed walking down the
prepared us for seeing it in real check they wouldn’t damage the aisle in the Great Hall as it’s such
life. It’s such a beautiful place antique carpet in the Great Hall. a grand room, but when it was
and as we wanted 180 guests Lots of people would have just filled with family and friends it
at the ceremony as well as the said no to our request, but she felt so welcoming. Our organist
dinner, it also had the capacity went above and beyond so we had been allowed to practise
we were struggling to find could have the day we wanted.” at the venue beforehand, as
elsewhere in London.” apparently all organs play
Getting ready slightly differently. But, as with
The build up everything else on the day, his
“On the day itself, we had use performance of Mendelssohn’s
“Both Ian and I have really of the entire building, and Wedding March was perfect.
stressful jobs in the NHS, so being able to use The Drawing
it was important to us that Room to get ready was a huge “In fact, the service we
organising our wedding didn’t bonus. It was threatening to rain got from the wedding team
add to that pressure. Luckily all morning and it helped me at Merchant Taylors’ was so

032

exceptional, they helped us with four of our favourite To book a show round and
with things we hadn’t even ingredients and four of our least to check your dates, please
thought about. Like checking favourite. He then prepared call the wedding team on
if we had any pregnant guests three starters, three mains and
who might need a special menu. three desserts for our tasting 020 7450 4445
Someone even delivered all of - it was so hard to choose.
our presents to our hotel room Our asparagus starter, chicken Make sure you also ask
for us!” wrapped in Parma ham main about our fabulous offer.
and Eton mess dessert didn’t
Drinks, dinner and disappoint. The Great Hall was If you book your 2016
dancing then, again seamlessly, turned wedding at Merchant
into the dancefloor and the Taylors’ Hall, you’ll get your
“We opted for Champagne and DJ started up the tunes. It was Champagne reception free.
Pimms in the Courtyard after literally the best day of my life.” This offer includes two
the service. It’s such a stunning glasses of Champagne for
space and Zara and her team On the day support
had decorated it beautifully every adult.
with the candles and lanterns “Zara and her colleague
we’d bought. The Great Hall was Matt were on hand all day, www.mtaylorsevents.co.uk/
then transformed (magically unobtrusive, but always in sight. your-event/special-events/
without anyone noticing) into If I ever needed them I just had
our dining space where we were to catch their eye, although it special-offers/
served a delicious three-course was usually just to get a top up
meal. Richard, the head chef, of Champagne!” Picture courtesy of Lisa
had asked us to provide him Bretherick Photography

033

sports

cricket report

On a beautiful June Sunday The Skinners fielding was tidy unexpectedly – and this match
the Company’s Cricket and enthusiastic though, and did just that. A missed run-out;
Club made the journey to although MTCCC’s final total a broken finger; a couple of
Tonbridge, to be entertained of 186 for 7 seemed reasonable dropped catches; a wicket from
by the Skinners on The Head at the time, 220 was probably a no-ball; all were the familiar
at Tonbridge School, where the a more likely winning first ingredients of gathering disaster!
ground looked magnificent. innings’ target. Tim Hunter Even with a carefully managed
Jones (20) and James Forth (31 bowling attack (none of those
After a generous luncheon in not out) stretched to reach it, present had ever borne witness
the Pavilion, with – unnoticed but it was never quite there. to a scorer running out to
by the Skinners – the Merchant Theo Hunter Jones made confront two semi-professional
Taylors’ flag streaming proudly another 20, and it was noted umpires! The scorer was
from the Pavilion flagstaff, that – apparently for the first wrong!), MTCCC could not
the Skinners won the toss and time ever – all three Hunter winkle out the Skinners No.11,
elected to field first. Jones brothers were playing on and their No.9 – Agate – batted
the same side at the same time! with much skill and controlled
Robin Green (captain for aggression in reaching 65 not
the day – Graham Armstrong Tea was had, and the MTCCC out to win the game for them by
was still ‘getting married’) took the field. Tom Kelly the narrowest of margins, with
opened the batting with a (7-3-22-1) and Ben Green an over in hand.
guest (Tonbridgean) Jonathan (7-0-23-2) opened the attack
Lynett-Hussey who had been with aggression and accuracy. Congratulations to the
allowed (actually, ‘offered’) by With Jonty Graham (7-0-55-1) Skinners though – their first
the Skinners, and the two began and James Forth (6.4-0-32-3) victory against MTCCC in this
slowly but surely until Jonathan backing up, the Skinners slipped series.
was out for 17, with the score on steadily to 88 for 6, and then 124
44 after 11 overs. Robin batted for 9, at which point, with over Next time…
well, accelerating steadily until 60 still needed, it looked as if the
out for 49 (8 fours) having been game was up. Nick Harris
supported by Mark Benbow
(12), Nick Cartwright (6) and But cricket is a funny game,
brother Ben who made 26. it has a habit of biting back

Mark Benbow The Team

034

sports

Tim Hunter Jones

035

sports

Great 12 Sailing report

Ithink the team were a little our positions in two races, but it reports, showed great strength
unlucky, certainly in the was great to have two full teams and spirit, making a significant
second race with Max Carter there and everyone took part in contribution to the respectable
on the helm. We were making good spirit. Thanks to everyone outcome of the race.
excellent progress in third or in making such an effort to
fourth place and making up time support the Company and also Thank you to the Master for
when the Grocers nearly ran into to John and Emma Hilditch for coming and supporting us so
us and thwacked poor Philip helping out so effectively. well throughout the weekend.
Miller when they gybed. Talking I hope you and Tessa enjoyed
to the race steward it seems right The Dublin Cup this year yourselves witnessing a sport
was on our side and had the was awarded to Buzzy Dean. played out on blue not green.
Grocers not retired they would The conditions were quite
certainly have been penalised. challenging in her boat in John Price
the first race, despite which
Lack of experience in she went out happily for the
rounding markers impacted on second race and, according to

036

Golf Day Report The Merchant Taylors’ UPCOMING GOLF
Golf Day was held at Royal FIXTURES 2016
We started with a narrow Wimbledon Golf Club for the
defeat by the OMTs at the fourth year in early July and Great XII Competition at NZGC
Berkshire in mid-September, the weather conditions were (4 players)
captained as usual by the Master, again ideal. The club had just New Zealand Golf Club
and then in mid-October the completed a week of celebrations Monday 18th April
Company beat the Vintners by for its 150th anniversary and
a ¼ point at Royal St George’s was in excellent and demanding MTC v MT Boys at Moor Park
Golf Club. condition. There was a tie for Wednesday 4th May
first place on 33 points with Luke
The 2015 season produced Oram the winner on a countback MTC v Skinners’ at NZGC
an average result in the Great for the last nine holes, Graham Tuesday 10th May
XII Competition at the New Walker second and the Master,
Zealand Golf Club in April, Peter Watkins third. Luke won Prince Arthur Cup at Walton
with slight improvement in the the Scratch Cup, with Jo Oram Heath
Prince Arthur Cup at Walton runner up. Thursday 19th May
Heath in May; we still await a
winning performance in these After a very large lunch, with MTC v MTS Masters at Sandy
two competitions. We beat the wines mainly provided by Sir Lodge
Merchant Taylors’ Boys 3-1 at John Perring and other RWGC Tuesday 21st June
Moor Park in early May, but lost members, 4somes was won in
to the Masters at Sandy Lodge in the afternoon by Jo Oram and Merchant Taylors’ Company
mid-June by a similar margin. Peter Magill with 25 points Golf Day at RWGC
over 13 holes. Alex Orchard Thursday 7th July 2016
Events conspired against us and Ian Ferres were runners up
in the Skinners’ Match on May with 20 points. Robert Prescott
12th at New Zealand Golf Club, won the Beadle’s putter for the
and we lost for the first time in lowest score. 28 Members of the
five years 10 ½ to 11 ½. It was the Company were present and a fun
first time in over 50 years that day had by all.
an Oram was not able to play,
with the captain compelled to Please make a note of
be in court as an expert medical Thursday 7th July for next year.
witness and Luke’s third child
Rosanna being born that day! Julian Oram
Congratulations to the Skinners,
but we will be looking for
revenge in May next year.

Peter Magill, Julian Oram and Peter Watkins 037

obituaries

Paul Austin Shaw Blomfield

26th March 1929 – 28th January 2015

Paul obtained his Freedom of Hall has the wonderful garden Paul Blomfield – Master in 1984
the Company by Patrimony that exists today.
in 1950, following in the The Company wishes to
footsteps of his father, Austin Paul was a keen golfer who express its sincere condolences
Blomfield (Master in 1935 and played in an enormous number to all the families and friends
1949). of matches for the Company,
latterly always in his distinctive of those recently departed.
Paul joined the Court as Under long thin white shorts and
Renter Warden in 1976 and colourful shirt and driving a John Badcock
was Master in 1984, with great buggy, mostly off the fairway! 15th December 1935
support from his sister, Priscilla He enjoyed good food and – 11th January 2015
Ryan. He served as Upper Renter good wine, and many were the
Warden again in 1990, and was evenings when he could be found Alan Forbes
ever present at Court meetings. playing cards in the Hall, after 1st December 1926
Paul was a huge supporter of all dinner, filling the Library with – 27th March 2015
the Company stood for; it meant laughter.
much to him. Peter Ducat
At home, he served 6th November 1934
Paul was the engineer to the as chairman of the Rye
City of London Corporation, and Conservation Society and the – 15th June 2015
was central to the re-construction Rye Museum, raising funds and
of the Hall’s garden during his fighting battles on their behalf. Kathleen McGrath
year as Master. His attention to 25th July 1955
detail did not particularly endear Remembered fondly by all
him to the building contractors, as a colourful and generous – 1st August 2015
as he made them relay the character, Paul is much missed by
courtyard area that was not his friends in the Company but Peter Robert Griffiths
level, and where puddles could above all by Rupert, Anna and his 1st August 1953
have formed. But his persistence sister Priscilla. – 1st July 2015
ensured that Merchant Taylors’

038

Livery & Freemen Fund DONATION FORM

This is the Members’ own fund which supports Donor Information
the Master’s chosen charity each year and up
to four individual charities recommended by Name:
the Membership. Grants are made directly
from income donated, but there is also a Address:
growing endowment fund.
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Email:

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£

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in the form of:

cash cheque credit card other
or Bacs payment:
(Sort Code 16-00-15, Acc No 23209155,
A/C Name: Merchant Taylors Charities Livery
and Freemen Fund)

Please debit my card with £
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I direct that this donation and all previous and future
donations to the Livery and Freemen Fund (part
of The Merchant Taylors’ Company Charities Fund
– a registered charity) should be treated as Gift Aid
donations, and that I have paid or will pay an amount
of UK taxation in the relevant year sufficient for the tax
applying to these sums to be reclaimed

Signature(s)

Date

Please make cheques, corporate matches, or other gifts
payable to: Livery & Freemen Fund and send to Merchant
Taylors’ Company, 30 Threadneedle Street, London EC2R 8JB



MERCHANT TAYLORS’ Company
FUNDRAISING WALK

Saturday 14th May 2016

You are invited to join a 14 mile fundraising sponsored walk in the
Thames Valley from Henley to Cookham following the Thames Path.

The aim is to raise as much money as possible for the Livery & Freemen
Fund and to enjoy the countryside with family and friends.We have a
JustGiving page to make donating as easy as possible.

More information will be sent out in due course but please register your
intention to join this fundraising walk with Kym Ash
([email protected])

Diary of events 2015/2016 Design: The Frank Agency (www.thefrankagency.eu)

The following is a list of future events that have been organised so far which will be held
during the 2015-2016 Mastership:

6th November Membership Lunch
10th November Ladies Dinner & Military Affiliates’ Awards
14th November Lord Mayor’s Show
13th December Carol Service at Merchant Taylors’ School
16th December Bindings & Admissions
16th December Vernon’s Anniversary Service
12th January 2016 Quiz Night
3rd February Dinner for the Lord Mayor & Sheriffs
12th February Membership Lunch
29th February Concert by Merchant Taylors’ and St John’s Schools
5th March Joint Schools Concert at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
7th March Freemen Dinner
11th March United Guilds Service
21st March Wylford’s Anniversary Service
13th April Bindings & Admissions
13th May Membership Lunch
14th May Fundraising Walk
25th May Fundraising Dinner
14th June Election Service & Barbecue Supper
24th June Election of Sheriffs (Lunch for Court and Livery)
5th July Livery Dinner
7th July Company Golf Day

If you would like more information on any of the above please contact Kym Ash at
[email protected] or on 020 7450 4448

Merchant Taylors’ Hall, 30 Threadneedle Street, London EC2R 8JB