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The Master’s Year

The Lord Mayor of Exeter and her consort, the Dean of Exeter and his
wife and the immediate past Master of the Incorporation of Weavers,
Fullers and Shearmen were our official guests, together with
representatives of the University.
We all enjoyed a formal 3-course meal with wine and port in an
absolutely magnificent setting.
Sunday morning again started with the hotel breakfast, although by then
a number of us were complaining of “food overload” and modified our
food intake accordingly. This was followed by attendance at the Sung
Eucharist Service held in Exeter Cathedral. The service was set to music
by Palestrina and the Anthem was by Orlando Gibbons.
After Church a number of people went their various ways, but the rest walked to “The Mill on the
Exe” to have a traditional Sunday lunch, following which more of the party departed for home,
leaving the hard core of attendees to enjoy supper at the Nobody Inn, Doddiscombsleigh and then
stay on for another night before they too wended their merry way.

Yet again, the Master’s Weekend really was a most enjoyable occasion, encouraging our members to
visit different parts of the country and experience our widespread and convivial fellowship. The
spectrum of attendance was also very wide – Companions, Past Masters, Wardens and Court
Assistants as well as many liverymen and freemen. Like all our informal events it gave everyone
who attended the chance to extend their fellowship with other members of the Company and we
would welcome anyone who wants to attend next year – keep your eyes open for information on the
website.

FORMAL EVENTS

We always hold three formal evening dining events each year, the Installation Dinner, the Livery and
Awards Dinner and the Sir Christopher Wren Banquet. These three formal occasions are the focal
point for each successive Master and allow the Master and the Company to invite special guests,
many of whom are senior members of City institutions or Masters of other Livery Companies. In
addition we hold Common Hall (the Company’s AGM) each September at which the Court’s proposals
for Company Officers for the forthcoming year is announced and, if approved by Common Hall, these
Officers are duly elected. Various officers are then invited to give their reports to the assembled
company. This leads into the first formal event of the year, the Installation Service and Dinner which
is held in October. We also hold an Annual Carol service at St Lawrence Jewry, which this year was
held in conjunction with the Worshipful Company of Chartered Architects and was followed by a
buffet with wine.
The Company year started with the Installation Ceremony in St Lawrence Jewry, which has now
become a public occasion during which Reverend Canon David Parrott supervises the clothing of the
New Master and Wardens. This year Victoria Russell and her Wardens, Graeme Monteith (Senior
Warden), Ian Mason (Middle Warden), Tony Ward (Renter Warden) and Michael Parrett (Junior
Warden) were clothed. After the service the assembled company joined the 152 Company members

Autumn 2015 | The Journal of the Worshipful Company of Constructors | 9