Page 6 - A4 Journal 2018 R16

The Master’s Year

The Mistress gives her recollection of a “Year to Remember”

Janet (Jan) Ward has been the Mistress for the past year. She writes the following about her year as Mistress:

“Having attended Dinners, Events and Lectures along the years the time had come for Tony's Installation
as Master Constructor on 4 October 2017, at St Lawrence Jewry Church followed by Dinner at Merchant
Taylor's Hall. It epitomised to me what the Livery stands for - the Commitment, the Camaraderie and
Charity of its Members. What a special evening it was for both of us and I didn't realise quite what a year
was ahead for me in my own right, as well as accompanying Tony.
I had joined City Consorts earlier in the year. It had been set up by two previous Mistresses, with the aim
of providing information and guidance to Mistresses/Consorts four years ahead of them taking their
eventual position.
I have been so lucky to be one of its first members - it's been great and I have enjoyed numerous social events with them
through the year. I can highly recommend that upcoming Mistresses/Consorts join the City Consorts.
Highlights of my year began with our weekend visit to Edinburgh and the Edinburgh Merchants, followed by my first
Consorts’ Lunch at Tallow Chandlers’ Hall and then Tea with the Lady Mayoress.

In the Spring our visit to Treloar's in Hampshire was heart rending. Visiting the children and seeing how the Livery continues
to support them was amazing.
Then there was the Livery and Awards Dinner. At my suggestion the Master gave 'us Ladies' a little gift (after all it was
Valentines Night!). What an amazing evening it was, seeing the Awards being given to such aspiring young people.
I really enjoyed going to the Old Bailey too for ‘Trial and Error’ - where the Judges re-enacted notable high profile Trials. It
was quite fascinating and there was much laughter that night.

April and May were busy months for us Consorts. I especially enjoyed our visit to The Hurlingham Club and yes - the green
grass was just like a carpet. Lunch with the Lady Mayoress was very informal and we also enjoyed a tour of the private
apartments and the collection of Silverware and Paintings.
We were also privileged to attend the Installation of the first female Bishop of London. What a memorable day, and it was
really interesting to talk to so many Bishops from all over the world too.
We then had our Master's Weekend in Bath. We were blessed with wonderful weather and I will always remember the
Harpist, Jemma, playing 'A Nightingale sang in Berkeley Square' by the side of the Roman Bath - a truly magical evening.
Summer highlights started with our attendance at the Royal Garden Party. It was everything we thought it would be, and
more. Then there was the Sir Christopher Wren Banquet at the Mansion House, where one of the Company's new scholars,
Anna Koukoullis, sang two most memorable arias. It was magical.

The next day we went to Ironbridge with all the other Masters and their Consorts for what was a very busy weekend.
(Oh! and it was there that I was Elected as chairman for the ‘Merlins’ the name given for this year's Past Mistresses/
Consorts. The Masters are to be called the ‘Spitfires’ and the ‘Merlin’ was the aero-engine that was the driving force for the
Spitfire.
I then co-hosted with Tony a Lunch for his Sky Dive where his target was to raise £30k for JACO, a 'Robotic Arm' to enable
children at Treloar's to shake your hand, wave and hold a cup and much more besides, which they would otherwise not have
been able to do. On that day alone £12,000 was raised!
More Consorts occasions followed, and I especially enjoyed the events at Saddlers’ Hall and Middle Temple, 'Bee Keeping' at
Wax Chandlers and Clockmaking at the Science Museum. A visit to Chelsea Physic Garden and to the Glovers’ and Lunch at
Barber Surgeons’ Hall were also thoroughly enjoyable. And whoever would have thought the Consorts would sing and
dance the night away at a Karaoke evening in the Egyptian Room at the Mansion House? Well over 100 of us did! The
evening was hosted and led by the Lady Mayoress for her Charities. What an amazing evening that was.

Now into September I'm looking forward to attending a City Consorts Lunch, Celebration of the Sheriffs’ Rowing Challenge
and Treloar’s Dinner, where Tony will present his cheque having completed his Sky Dive with the Red Devil's!
Then following the Election of the Lord Mayor - Tony's Year as Master Constructor comes to an end. It's been an absolute
privilege for me to have supported him - through what appears to have been the busiest year ever for us both.
The year has given me much confidence, which I am now taking forward into my new role as Chairman of The Merlins. It has
been a year I will never forget! ”.
Jan Ward - Mistress Constructor

Page 6 | The Journal of the Worshipful Company of Constructors | Autumn 2018