Page 16 - A4 Journal 2019

The Master’s Year

The Master’s year drew to a close with a magnificent Charity Gala Banquet in the Long Room at Lord’s Cricket Ground.

The Master and Mistress in the Long Room at Lord’s The Master with Guest of Honour, Mark Ramprakash

Our Guest of Honour was Mark Ramprakash, legendary cricketer and erstwhile “Strictly Come Dancing” champion.
With a little bit of encouragement, ably provided by our Beadle, Ted Prior, who acted as Master of Ceremonies, and the Master,
the sum raised during the Master’s year reached his aspirational total of £50,000.
Since the Master first took over chairing fundraising for the Company we have raised almost £250,000, including the £50,000
raised this year - a not inconsiderable sum.
The event at Lord’s was originally conceived by the Master, supported by Past Master and MCC member, Martin Wade.
The Master is now in discussion with the Charitable Trust on how the monies raised could be most appropriately employed in
furtherance of the charitable objectives of the Company.

Informal Events

The Worshipful Company of Constructors has, as usual, run a very successful programme of informal events for our members
this year.

We started the year with an informal lunch at Ironmongers’ Hall on 29 October 2018. This was attended by 16 people
(including 3 guests) and by all accounts was enjoyed by all. Then, on 10 November 2018 several members of the Company,
some with their families, assembled, as is the tradition, outside St Mary-le-Bow Church in Cheapside to witness the Lord
Mayor’s Show - the longest and best parade on earth (or at least so we are told). The Company was represented by the
Master and Senior Warden together with our banner carrier, Yeoman member Anjali Pindoria, in the “Modern Livery
Companies” section of the parade. Following the parade we adjourned to a reasonably nearby hostelry since our normal
venue, the Little Ship Club, had decided at a late stage that they would not be open. Whilst the late change meant a number
of people did not attend, those that did enjoyed the day, and, being joined by the Master and others who were either in the
parade, or watching in the “posh seats” at Mansion House, the festivities went on well into the evening.

Our next informal event was on 12 December 2019, when 40 people (including 17 guests) attended our informal festive lunch
at Ironmongers’ Hall. The festive spirit was consumed, and diners enjoyed a ‘Christmas’ lunch prepared by the staff at
Ironmongers’ Hall. Then, on 4 February 2019 we again met at Ironmongers’ Hall for one of our, by now, regular lunches.

Shrove Tuesday (5 March 2019) saw the Constructors’ team of pancake-tossers assembled
for the annual Inter-Livery pancake races in Guildhall Yard. We have taken part for several
years now, but this year it was different - we WON the ladies race, so the name of the
Company will be for ever engraved on the ceremonial frying pan. Well done to Anjali Pindoria,
who flew down the course, thus bringing us our victory. Quite how we explain why a frying
pan is in the vault with all the Company silver is for the reader to decide. We will now compete
next year, when we hope to repeat our success. The WCC Pancake Race Team

Page 16 | The Journal of the Worshipful Company of Constructors | Autumn 2019