A letter from the Deputy Editor May 2024

This month’s Coachlines sees an eclectic range of stories and articles, which only go to show how diverse and interesting the Livery Company and its members are.

This month in the Meet the Team section, we look at the Coachmaker’ Livery Trustees, with an overview from PM Ian Smith.

There has been a lot going on culminating in the banquet at the Guildhall, which unfortunately due to personal circumstances I was not able to attend. A great shame as I was looking forward to renewing old acquaintances at Navy Wings, including Jock Alexander.

Many of you will remember that it was at RNAS Yeovilton that we twice tested the Aston Martin Bulldog before it made its record-breaking success at the former RNAS at Campbeltown.

On the Bulldog front, it has recently carried out one of its last tasks in the UK before being totally stripped apart and prepared for the Pebble Beach Concours, where we hope that it will be a winning car.

Which gives me a nice segway into Concours Savile Row, where I had the privilege of looking after the motoring PR for the event and watching Past Master Richard Charlesworth carrying out more than 30 interviews on stage during the two days of the event – quite a feat.

They ranged from an interview with car designer Peter Stevens about his new book JaguarSport XJR15; to car designer and Liveryman Ian Callum CBE talking about his new car the Callum Skye, which was unveiled at the concours; an interview with Dominic Reid, Pageant Master of the Lord Mayor’s Show, with lots of talk about carriages; to discussions with former Top Gear presenter and TV and radio personality Steve Berry talking about his life in cars and bikes, which caused much laughter.

So back to this month’s stories and the report on the Banquet from our Assistant Clerk Lt Commander Rachel Firth. What an event, with an aircraft being front and centre in the Guildhall, and once again the former Chairman of the Communications Committee and former editor of this journal putting together a superb souvenir programme.

But there has been much more going on and I am always amazed at the vast number of activities that we get involved in and the stories that are submitted as a result.

The annual inter livery clay pigeon shoot took place at the prestigious West London School near Northolt in May, with the Coachmakers’ team comprising Alex Bailey, Andrew Garner, Alistair Boyes and John Boyes. Andrew and John were our joint top guns.

Hon Assistant Lesley Upham visited the M Shed Museum in Bristol and found a coach. Liveryman Martin Derrick writes about Coachmakers and their guests visiting the Submarine Museum at Gosport in Hampshire. Martin also writes about how the Pattenmakers lifted the Prince Arthur Cup. David Barrett, Renter Warden gives us an insight into civic appointments.

As I mentioned at the start of this editorial, it is an eclectic mix of stories and reports of activities which I am sure will grow as the summer progresses.

On behalf of our Editor, Assistant Lyn Litchfield, and myself please do keep the stories and photographs coming, they make a great read.

Wishing you all a great summer and hoping that you all get away for what I am sure will be a well-deserved holiday

Deputy Editor, Freeman David Barzilay