Clerk’s Notes April 2025

In a not too dissimilar world as we face at the moment, this month I thought I would adopt a more sombre tone and focus on arguably the greatest struggle the free, democratic world faced in the 20th century. The end of World War II came on 8th May 1945 with the surrender of all German forces and their allies engaged in combat across the European theatre. Clearly on such a momentous day in history there was a plan to commemorate VE Day over future decades. Of these events during my 39-year career in army music, I was lucky to personally play a small part in commemorating the victims of a conflict that cost the lives of between 15-20 million people across Europe.

The Germans first gave a complete surrender in Reims, France, on 7th May 1945. The surrender would take effect on 8th May. A little-known fact though is that Germany actually surrendered a second time – at Stalin’s request. After the original surrender Stalin wasn’t happy. He wanted some changes to the surrender document, and he felt both the German and Soviet representatives weren’t high-ranking enough. He also felt it was better for the surrender to happen in Berlin, the centre of Nazi power.

Some argue Stalin’s real reasoning was that the original signing ceremony did not bring enough glory to the Soviet Union. In any case, a higher-ranking German representative, Wilhelm Keitel, went to Berlin on 8th May to sign another, slightly different surrender. This one was signed around midnight – some say it was just before midnight, some say it was just after; hence why it is commemorated on 9th May in Russia.

Victory in Europe Day is the day that celebrates the formal acceptance by the Allies of World War II of Germany’s unconditional surrender of its armed forces on Tuesday, 8th May 1945. Closer to home and why this period is relevant to The Coachmakers is that, as most will know, the last Coachmakers’ Hall on Noble Street/Oat Lane was destroyed during this conflict. Indeed, in a poignant ‘nod’ to the end of the Second World War, The Master has decided to commemorate our association with the area by holding the Summer Dinner – The Coachmaking and Carriage Driving Dinner – at Pewterers’ Hall (built over the ruins of the stables of Coachmakers’ Hall) on 10th July this year.

On VE Day in 1945 millions of people rejoiced in the news that Germany had surrendered, relieved that the intense strain of total war was finally over. In towns and cities across the world, people marked the victory with street parties, dancing and singing.

A national holiday was declared in Britain for 8th May 1945. In the morning, in one of the most important discussions to take place that day, Churchill had gained assurances from the Ministry of Food that there were enough beer supplies in the capital and the Board of Trade announced that people could purchase red, white and blue bunting without using ration coupons. There were even commemorative items hastily produced in time for the celebrations, including ‘VE Day’ mugs and some restaurants had special ‘victory’ menus.

Various events were organised to mark the occasion, including parades, thanksgiving services and street parties. Communities came together to share the moment. London’s St Paul’s Cathedral held 10 consecutive services giving thanks for peace, each one attended by thousands of people – I hope they had a pool of organists and choristers! Can you imagine? There is many a time I have stood in St Paul’s and thought if only the walls could talk.

There are plenty of stories of people dancing the conga in the streets of London to celebrate VE Day. But did you know that the future Queen Elizabeth II was dancing that night too?

One of the strangest VE Day facts is that the former Princess Elizabeth was partying with everyone else in London. She wore her Auxiliary Transport Service uniform and, together with Princess Margaret, went out to mingle with the partying crowds.
VE Day has meant a lot to me over the years as military bands and their musicians are always called upon, rightly so, to provide music and emotion to such momentous occasions – hence my advocacy of military music and its value to the nation.

1995 sticks in my mind as being based in Germany at the time with the British Army of the Rhine, quite clearly it would not have been appropriate to celebrate the end of the war in an ostentatious demonstration of victory. To this end however, what we did do was an Anglo-German Concert with other local German bands and performed in harmony and unity on stage with a combined audience of 5,000 people over three nights. This perhaps was one of the most thought-provoking and inspirational musical events of my career and a real insight into how unity, friendship and reconciliation can be so important in repairing humanity.

Since then, we have continued to commemorate VE Day and with every anniversary a different approach including concerts and street parties. Indeed, at the 70th Anniversary Live Nation, the BBC, in partnership with The Royal British Legion, presented VE Day 70: A Party to Remember.

This star-studded concert was a huge event in central London hosted by Chris Evans, and included performances influenced by the era, from actor Adrian Lester, comedian and presenter Alexander Armstrong, Britain’s favourite tenor Alfie Boe, actor Bernard Cribbins, boyband Blue, Britain’s Got Talent winners dance troupe Diversity, musical theatre’s leading lady Elaine Paige, hotly tipped jazz vocalist Gregory Porter, Dads Army’s Ian Lavender, R&B singer Jamelia, stage, screen and TV star Jane Horrocks, UK’s biggest mezzo soprano Katherine Jenkins, pop starlet Pixie Lott, one of the best voices to come out of the X Factor singer Rebecca Ferguson, legendary rock band Status Quo, four couples from top entertainment show Strictly Come Dancing and musicians from the Royal Marines, Army and RAF, including yours truly. Just think where some of these are now – enduring fame or obscurity (I know where I am!)

Despite these large-scale events, rightly focussed on attracting younger people to the memory of VE Day and what it meant to a country that had suffered so much, the Cenotaph remains the national place of commemoration and this has featured in every commemoration since the end of the war. In 2015 I was privileged to be part of this as the Director of Music of the Band of the Household Cavalry – a more memorable and poignant memory would be hard to find.

This year, the 80th anniversary is almost here. Planned national events can be found here. What is for sure is that some of our wonderful Coachmakers will also be celebrating and commemorating in their own style.

Never Shall Memory Fade

As is customary, I like to include some music to support my notes. This month I would ask you to allow me to present some of my own music. In a different approach I am including a link to one of my own compositions that has been used on numerous commemorative occasions since its publication in 2018.

Never Shall Memory Fade was written after a moment of personal grief but the wider message behind the music is exactly what the title suggests; hence why the music is suited to the notes above. Furthermore, the aim of my music has always been to give the listener the opportunity to use music as a connection to help reflect and remember, to create emotion, open a door to our feelings, whether happy or sad or tell the story of a moment in time. If you can find five minutes over the coming days to remember, please do.

https://www.craighallatt.com/listen – Never Shall Memory Fade will be at the top of the music library list.

Company events

The Coachmakers’ Charity Fundraising Banquet 2025 Mansion House, 9th June 6.00pm-10.45pm

Our most prestigious event of the year, the Charity Fundraising Banquet, will be attended by the Lord Mayor, Sheriffs, inspiring speakers such a Ian Whittle and even a celebrity: TV personality and the country’s most famous TV judge, Rob Rinder. An exciting evening of fellowship, friendship and fundraising awaits us including a silent auction with some ‘money can’t buy’ lots, a prize draw and musical performances from the world-renowned Military Wives Choir and other military musicians.

There is no better way to feel special and be part of something unique than dressing in white-tie and beautiful dresses to be surrounded by friends from the Coachmaker family.

Tickets are on sale at: https://www.coachmakers.co.uk/event/banquet-2025/

For all the other events our wonderful Livery Committee is organising, please see the events calendar article here.

City events

The Lord Mayor’s Big Curry Lunch

What an incredible day at the Lord Mayor’s Big Curry Lunch 2025, held on Thursday 10th April. The word is that £400,000 was raised to support veterans of His Majesty’s Armed Forces; which is quite amazing.

Curry specialist Pilgrim’s Europe had the job of feeding some 2,000 visitors and they managed that brilliantly in what, at times, seemed like organised chaos. The food was simply superb, washed own with India’s favourite Tiger beer and copious wines.

Attended by our very own Hon Assistant David Barrett, the vibrant and memorable event, on its 18th annual occasion, was hosted by the Rt Hon. the Lord Mayor Alderman Alastair King DL and the Lady Mayoress Florence, who is a military reservist. The Lord Mayor met veterans and beneficiaries from all three major armed services. We understand that since its inception, the Big Curry Lunch has raised £3.7 million which has been distributed to the three main national armed forces benevolence charities; Army Benevolent Fund, Royal Navy & Royal Marines Charity and the Royal Air Forces Benevolent Fund.

Inaugural City Livery Sailing Challenge

From 19th-20th September 2025 racing in Seaview Mermaids from Sea View YC, Isle of Wight. There will also be some exciting social events included.

The event will support the Lord Mayor’s Appeal and Sea View Sailing Trust. Further details: www.cityliverysailingchallenge.com

Liveryman Gary Hunt is looking to muster a crew of four ‘shipmates’ from the Coachmaker family; please contact him if you are interested. Contact Gary Hunt: sailcitylivery@gmail.com

Company news

Stripe online payments

Some of you may have noticed recently that we are now accepting online card payments for subscriptions, fines and other payments. This is an interim measure before we move to a full Customer Relationship Management System in the future (more to follow on this during the coming months).

We have linked our accounting system – Xero – to card payment facility Stripe which makes it easy to accept payments from debit cards, credit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay for online invoices sent from Xero. Invoices from Xero now include the opportunity to pay online and immediately (BACS transfers and other methods will remain available).

Card payments are not only more convenient for you, but they also make it easier for businesses to process payments. Card payments are fast, efficient and reliable, enabling businesses to serve more customers. Card payments are also more secure. Because all transactions are processed electronically and all card transactions are encrypted, they remove the risk of fake bank notes and cash theft, which means that they can’t be manipulated by third parties. Card payment systems are equipped with fraud-detection software, protecting organisations against fraudulent transactions.

Coachmakers’ website

As we move towards a Customer Relationship Management System later in the year a polite request from the Clerk’s office. Please could I ask everyone to log on to the website www.coachmakers.co.uk and ensure their personal details are up to date?

• Email address
• Home address
• Telephone numbers
• Additional information you provided originally.

This will allow us to ensure the membership directory going forward is current and the very best version of the truth as we aim to make the management of our company as efficient and effective as possible.