Page 16 - The Constructor A5V24 V1

The Master’s Year

INFORMAL SOCIAL EVENTS

Our social events had a very strong following, many in fact being fully booked well in advance.
Our first informal event of the Master’s year was a visit to Dowgate Hill Fire Station. Here the Station
Officer gave us a talk on how the Fire Service was run, and the role that Dowgate Hill Fire Station has
played over many years in the life of the City. After a most informative talk we reconvened next door
in the Loose Cannon for a meal and drinks.
On a cold and damp Friday evening in January several intrepid members and guests found their way
east of the City to Docklands to join in the festive revels of a traditional (and rather risqué at some
points) pantomime. Whilst political correctness was not always the principal focus we enjoyed (Oh
no we didn’t! – Oh yes we did!) a cabaret style sit down meal and refreshment. As this was our first
venture in this direction we were quite surprised to find we were not the only Livery company there.
We will make the journey again in 2016.
We went to the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) on a rather blustery evening in May. Our main
objective was to understand the evolution of the architecture within ZSL including how they had
managed to “re-invent” various original buildings for different uses, bearing in mind that a large
number of the buildings and structures within ZSL are listed as either Grade 1 or Grade 2 and cannot
therefore be significantly altered, if at all. The visit to ZSL was finished off in grand style by a Chinese
meal on the nearby Feng Shang Princess, a vessel moored on the Paddington arm of the Grand
Union Canal.
Our visit to the Old Bailey took place on a sunny evening in June. Under-Sheriff Charles Henty, who is
responsible for the management of the Central Criminal Court (more commonly called the Old
Bailey) gave us a most amusing and informative talk and tour round the Central Criminal Court and
generated a degree of mirth by placing our Master and her Consort in the dock of one of the courts.
Overall, it was a real privilege to be able to visit the Old Bailey and a really excellent event was
topped off by a convivial meal and drink in the nearby Magpie and Stump Public House.
In July we held two “sporting” events. The Company Golf Day was
held on a sunny day in early July at Croham Hurst Golf Club. The
day was enjoyed by all and we were joined by the Master for a
splendid Summer Meal that was provided by the catering team at
Croham Hurst. On a windy and rainy day at the end of July (by
courtesy of David Sheehan and Tony Ward) eight intrepid sailors
took part in the second Company sailing day. Unfortunately the
weather was not kind as it was very windy and rained all day and
the plans for a leisurely sail in the Solent were severely curtailed,
however all involved said that they enjoyed the event.
Our next informal event was the Master’s Summer Event which was a visit to her
beloved Fulham Football Club to see a friendly football match between Fulham FC
and Crystal Palace FC (supported by our immediate Past Master, Alan Longhurst).
This was a most enjoyable event, with the assembled company (except the Master
and Alan) being relieved that the result was a 1 – 1 draw and celebrating in fine style
after the game in the Temperance Public House in Fulham High Street.
The final event of the Master’s year was the opportunity to climb over the O2 Arena. 30 members
and their guests, including the Master and her Consort, plucked up the courage to do so and then
adjourned (due to a gas supply failure in the O2 area) for a meal at an Indian Restaurant in Waterloo.

16 | Autumn 2015 | The Journal of the Worshipful Company of Constructors