Page 8 - The Constructor 2017

The Master’s Year

Sunday morning again dawned bright and clear. Following breakfast, we joined our coaches for a
guided tour round the island. We were amazed by the local knowledge of our two guides and were
taken to many of the World War II sites on the island, which was one of the very few parts of Britain
that was occupied by German forces during the war.
We also visited two unusual churches.
The first was the “Little Chapel” in Les Vauxbelets, Saint
Andrew, Guernsey. It was created in July 1914, by
Brother Déodat, who planned to create a miniature
version of the grotto and basilica at Lourdes. It has
been said that it "is the smallest functioning chapel in
Europe, if not the world", and it is "believed to be the
world's smallest consecrated church”. Interestingly,
the current version of the church, which measures
some 16 feet by 9 feet, dates only from 1923, when it was enlarged because the then Bishop of
Portsmouth was too big to get into the previous chapel. It is decorated in millions of pieces of
broken pottery, much of which comes from the potteries of Staffordshire. The chapel has been
undergoing major restoration work, including underpinning and weatherproofing, over the last few
years, and only reopened to the public in April 2017, so the timing of our visit was most opportune.
The other was St Peter’s, (St Pierre du Bois), beautifully set on a slope
below Les Buttes, where the local militia would have practised their
bowmanship in times gone by. The church has an unusual rising nave,
and is also the final resting place of an early pirate. To this day, his grave
is marked with a headstone that is emblazoned with a skull and
crossbones.
On completion of our “round the island” tour, we alighted at the Duke of Richmond Hotel where we
enjoyed a formidable Sunday luncheon. It was then time for many of us to leave for home, although
a few stayed on longer and thus enjoyed yet more of the beautiful weather and enchanting
surroundings before partaking of a final informal meal in St Peter Port before making our respective
ways home on the Monday, or for some, even later.
The group’s thanks must obviously go to the Master and Mistress for organising such a splendid
weekend – including the beautiful weather. It was a well organised and celebrated weekend and it
was good to meet up with our fellow members from Guernsey on their own turf. All members are
invited to join in the Master’s Weekend next year, which is likely to be in Bath, in May.

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

8 | Autumn 2017 | The Journal of the Worshipful Company of Constructors