Coachlines - January 2023

24.01.23 Senior Warden Bettine Evans

A sparkling evening at the Award to Industry Dinner 2023


What an incredibly happy occasion this was, despite freezing weather outside and sorely reduced numbers within. I feel so sad for those who missed what was a truly sparkling evening.

The buzz of chatter interspersed with laughter throughout the Champagne reception set the scene: the call to dinner was made twice to no avail; the Toastmaster eventually resorted to more forceful means and we reluctantly obeyed. Edward Dye played the piano with his usual skill as the Master, Wardens and our honored guests processed in to the beautifully appointed dining room.

We were sorry to hear that the Hornchurch and Upminster Sea Cadets were unable to join us having been delayed by a road closure following a serious collision earlier in the evening. The Clerk was however able to introduce 452 Squadron RAF Air Cadets to whom the Master presented a cheque for £5,250, the majority of which was raised at the previous year’s banquet. Another such cheque is awaiting the Sea Cadets and will be presented to them at the Automotive Dinner in March.

We welcomed one newly clothed Liveryman, Christopher Sturgess; also, the Clerk announced the winners of the 100 Club Super Draw for 2022 which had taken place during the earlier Court meeting.

We ate a delicious meal, followed by the Loving Cup, another cause for merriment, with (sadly) chocolates instead of wine, provided by the Master and produced in the village of Woolmer. Following the Loyal and other toasts, we enjoyed once again the wonderful singing of the London Choral Sinfonia directed by Michael Waldron. They entertained us with Teddy Bears’ Picnic, Tea for Two, and then the most wonderful Aria from La Traviata. What a perfect treat that was.

The Master rose to present The Award to Industry to Dr. Tim Woolmer – CTO and Founder of YASA – who gave a most interesting speech about his revolutionary idea that had enabled him to design and build a much lighter, faster electric engine by removing the motor’s stator yolk and splitting it into segments. He was thus able to deliver significant reductions in the motor’s weight, whilst improving its torque, power density, efficiency etc. Details about his work can be found at: https;//www.yasa.com

There followed the toast to the guests, a short farewell from the Master and we all departed for a Stirrup Cup. It was such a lovely evening that we were all reluctant to leave, and stayed chatting for far longer than we should, but it really was a most enjoyable event.