Master Deborah’s Final Words
After 363 days, I have attended 77 breakfasts, lunches & dinners, 68 other events, 15 lectures, 14 Church services, and 93 meetings (in person or online). This equates to over 700 hours in the presence of 13,000 people (not all different!), consuming 30 bottles of wine and 200,000 calories (as an estimate)…. and I’ve had a ball.
Being the representative for the Constructors at so many prestigious events has been such a privilege. Attending the elections of the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs, followed by memorable tours of buildings and areas in the heart of The City—places where historical figures and some of my ancestors have walked for the last 800 years—highlighted the experience. Samuel Pepys, Dr Johnson, Elizabeth Fry, and Octavian Pullen all made their mark here. Music has also featured at many churches, such as St Paul’s, where the Carol Service at The Old Bailey proved to be a magical highlight. Another stand-out occasion was the festival of Music at Horseguards Parade, which brought together Matt Goss and the Iraqi Army Band on the same stage.
As a Master, you develop a great camaraderie with other Masters; ‘robing up’ and processing together, preceded by the comical task of some poor clerk trying to get us in the Livery order of precedence. 6 months on and The Master Glazier still doesn’t know he’s no.53, but we all do! John Reytiens’ workshop on stained glass and his lecture about his father Patrick, who was one of the most eminent glaziers in the 20th Century, made up for that and were real highlights. Our affiliation with the military is also something to be proud of, and my trip on the Prince of Wales aircraft carrier, c/o HMS Lancaster, and weekend exercises with 101 Squadron were both fantastic experiences. We should try to do more with our military friends, especially to boost our shooting and barrel rolling capabilities.
I have to mention my Master’s weekend in Birmingham, where 30 members and partners donned ‘Peaky Blinder’ hats as we cruised ‘up the cut’, enjoyed a fantastic curry and formal dinner, and some of us showed our moves with The Bangra Boys – June Ollie put us all to shame! Paul Singh, on the other hand, was rubbish – which is ironic! All members are welcome to attend Master’s weekends; it’s a great opportunity to make new friends, so please consider it in Tim’s year. There are so many other things I could highlight, but my major takeaway has been the opportunity to spend time and get to know more Constructors.
This has been in both social and business settings where I’ve done my best to support our 70+ volunteers on Committees and Court, who are the workhorses of our Company. We wouldn’t function without them.I’m especially grateful to Mark Jenkinson, Amanda Winder, John Sayers, Diana Chrouch, and Chris Turner for raising the bar on our social value agenda, with a re-focused sustainability agenda and an active training programme for our members to ‘give back’. In the last year, we have donated a record £65,000 in grants through our CT and £235,000 in Pro bono time directly by members, and there will be more opportunities, especially in supporting organisations that help under-represented and under-privileged individuals gain the skills needed to join our industry. We have a strong and capable team to take us forward.
Finally, a huge thank you to The Clerk and Wardens for their relentless hard work and everyone who has sent me messages or encouragement and made me laugh throughout the year. I can’t mention you all, but my husband Steve gets the prize for being the most enduring and patient Consort! He’s a star!
Best of luck, Tim, you’ll smash this!
