Page 7 - A4 Journal 2019

The Master’s Year

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

In the weeks leading up to Mike becoming Master, after all the pre planning had been undertaken, it
suddenly became a reality as the day of his Installation as Master approached.
Nothing though quite prepares you for the year long journey that is about to unfold. I had to ensure
that I had the right wardrobe and enough variety to ensure that I could be someone that not only
my husband could be proud of, but the company too!

The magnificent year began with the marvellous Installation ceremony at St. Lawrence Jewry. Many
of our former colleagues and close friends from around the world had made the Journey from as
far away as Chicago and Malaysia just so that they could be there in support of Mike and I, so you
find yourself drawn between concentrating on support for your husband and ensuring that all of
our friends and colleagues were warmly welcomed and taken care of.
With the Installation dinner at the fabulous Drapers’ Hall and with our favourite acapella choristers from Kings College
Cambridge the stage was set for a memorable evening and one that I and all of our family and guests still talk about. Could a
formal dinner get any better? Well in my humble opinion it did as the year progressed, culminating in a wonderful evening at
our Sir Christopher Wren Banquet at Fishmongers’ Hall.
Throughout the year there were several highlights, not the least of which was that as part of the Master’s theme of
International relations, we hosted a Chinese governmental delegation for a superb lunch provided by the Michelin star chef
Herbert Berger at Innholders Hall.
Our overseas weekend to the place of my birth Hong Kong meant a great deal of preparatory work by all of us in the family
and through our church in arranging a special boat journey out to the tiny island of Ap Chau. It was a challenge arranging for
all the ground transportation, formal dinners, right down to the menu cards and table decorations. All of the hard work behind
the scenes was worth it to feel the joy and fellowship we shared amongst all of us that attended.
Not long after returning from Hong Kong preparations were being made to prepare for a special Chinese cookery class and
lunch, prepared for us by our friend and Chef Andrew Chu. We held this at the Dutch church in the heart of the City of London.
It was very well attended by our members and many of the Mistresses and consorts from other Companies. It was also time
for my maiden speech as Mistress.
We had the most wonderful day at Buckingham Palace in glorious sunshine, preceded by a lunch at the Rubens hotel close by,
which was attended by a number of other Masters and Mistresses that Mike and I had got to know very well during the course
of the year to date.
The Charity Gala Banquet held in the Long room at Lords was of particular importance in this year for fundraising, which
managed to take us to the target of £50,000 that Mike had set out to raise. Our joy in reaching this milestone is a big part of
the reason for our involvement in City Livery life.

The creation of the City Consorts Group has in my opinion been one of the City’s greatest creations in recent times. Through
regular attendance at many events and lunches, I have got to know and formed close friendships with a great many other
mistresses and consorts. Without doubt, this has helped enormously through the year, as wherever I went I knew someone
and was made to feel extremely welcome.
These friendships will continue through the formation of our Mistress and Consort group, Gemini which was launched at
Ironbridge, an event which immediately followed the summer banquet.

Ironbridge was a marvellously organised weekend and the Master and I were warmly greeted by the Lord Mayor Peter Estlin
and former Lord Mayor Sir Andrew Parmley with a thank you for the money that the company donated to the Sheriffs’ and
Recorder’s fund towards the rehabilitation of offenders.
Soon after Ironbridge it was time to put all the finishing touches to our second Master’s weekend to be held in Cambridge.
There was all the usual arrangements and behind the scenes work to be put in and just like Hong Kong, we had the help of
our two sons and daughter-in-law who have been tremendously supportive throughout the year.
I remain very grateful too for the support of the wives of all of our wardens; Lady Barbara, Tina, Lindsey and Alison - you have
all become such good friends and have always been there when I needed the help – thank you so very much.
What has given me the most pleasure is to have been able to help my husband over these past years to give much priority to
his work in this esteemed company and for him to fulfil his ambition to serve as your 42nd Master.
May I send every good wish to Lady Barbara and offer all the support I can muster in her year as Mistress and also to Sir Vivian
who will no doubt take this company to even greater heights. May God bless them both with good health.
Jessica Parrett- Mistress Constructor

Autumn 2019 | The Journal of the Worshipful Company of Constructors | Page 7