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The Master’s Year

there will be something for everyone to attend, including a number of social events throughout the year. We hope to meet
and get to know as many of you as possible and to thank you for your continued support of this most Worshipful Company.
Of course there are a number of members who contribute greatly to the company behind the scenes, far too many to
mention here, but to whom we owe a debt of gratitude and whom I hope to be able to acknowledge in some way throughout
the ensuing year.
No Master’s year can be a success without the support of its members and I fully acknowledge how regularly well attended
are our formal dinners and many of our social events. I also recognise the important work of each committee and the
support of the Wardens and Court without whom we would not have been able to achieve past milestones or the ambitious
programme I have set out for my year as Master. So at the end of the year, let the results of our joint achievements speak
volumes for who we truly are’.
Mike Parrett - Master

Our Focus
Whilst much of this Journal reports on occasions that include food and drink, there is not one Constructor who forgets that
our principal mission is to support charity, and the strength of our Company lies in the enviable programme of Scholarships
and Awards for the Construction Industry that it supports. We hope to do even more in the coming year.

Reflections on a ‘Year to Remember’ from the Immediate Past Master
It is with an endless host of memories that I write these lines as my Master’s year draws to a close.
It’s been an unforgettable year that has literally flown by, time waits for no man as they say!
Jan and I have enjoyed huge and varied non-stop hospitality, from The Edinburgh Merchants, The
Merchant Adventurers of York, the Brigantes in Leeds, and of course the many, many Livery
Companies of London.
Representing the Constructors has been a huge honour and privilege, has taken us to pastures new
on many occasions, and has brought so many new friendships to us both.
The highlights are really too numerous to mention, but selecting a few: we've had tremendous
support to our three formal functions, and have received so many warm letters of thanks from so
many Livery and personal guests. Merchant Taylors, Drapers and Mansion House did not disappoint!
These functions really do showcase our Livery to all attendees, and this has reflected well on us this year.
Dinner with the Archbishop of Canterbury at Skinners Hall takes some beating, as did the fabulous Dinner in the Nave of York
Minster with Archbishop Sentamu (along with 1000 others!). Lunches and Dinners with the Lord and Lady Mayoress, the
Sheriffs and Judges, on several occasions at the Old Bailey feature highly in our memories too.
Our Master’s Weekend in Bath was much enjoyed by all who came, and we both were thrilled with the enthusiasm of
everyone’s feed back.
The Companies’ first ‘Masters Certificate’ presentation was a really excellent occasion, and exemplified the value that we were
able to add to former Apprentice Christian Sullivan’s now excellent craft of Stonemasonry. He is a real asset to the team at
Salisbury Cathedral.
To attend the Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace was, of course, a great privilege, and in fine weather too (although
we were armed with a Constructors umbrella just in case)!.
The Scholarship and Awards evenings were as always, excellent, and remain as the ‘flagship’ of our Livery, much envied by
other Companies.
‘Team-Build’, started all those years ago by PM Richard Rooley, is also such a privilege to be involved with. A true surprise,
and an excellent way to add value to young Professionals.
We have seen some really impressive young people join our Livery this year, and my ambition to engage them with the
workings of the Company remains a high priority, which I hope to foster in my year as IPM.
The hardy annual of charitable giving by our membership remains a major challenge that is shared by the many other Livery
Masters with whom I have discussed this over the course of the year. I have always felt that we as a Livery Company can
raise much more for charity than we generally do, and my personal challenge to raise £30k for Treloar’s College has been an
absolute success and more , although almost all of the funds have come from my own contacts outside of our Livery and the
response of the majority of members remains a big disappointment...
My Sky Dive ‘No Strings Attached’ campaign has attracted a lot of interest in the wider Livery and the City, and the event itself
was an absolute thrill. To see ‘jaco, the bionic arm’ in action at my fundraising lunch in June was evidence enough, but I just
can’t wait to see the thrill on the faces of the young students at Treloar’s when they get to use it!
Our Livery is in good shape and I hope that I have left a lasting legacy to future Masters.
I now look forward to joining the ‘Purples’, and flying high with the Spitfires Past Masters’ Association.
Tony Ward - Immediate Past Master

Autumn 2018 | The Journal of the Worshipful Company of Constructors | Page 5