Clerk’s Notes – November 2021

Mark The Clerk

On 24th November 2010, the last launch was made of fixed wing aircraft from the Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS ARK ROYAL. Consisting of four Harrier GR9 aircraft from what was known as the Joint Force Harrier, it was made up of aircraft from 800 Naval Air Squadron and 1 (Fighter) Squadron RAF. On that cold November morning in the North Sea, they launched at 0900 from a position 40 nautical miles east of Newcastle inbound to RAF Cottesmore; and until recently, that was that.

Fast forward 11 years and F35s have been successfully operating to and from the latest RN aircraft carrier, HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH, for some time. But yes, in only the past few days, one of the most expensive aircraft ever to operate to and from a floating platform has ditched into the sea. However, given the nature of aviation in the round, and aviation over the sea, it was something that was bound to happen at some point; thankfully the key witness in the subsequent investigation survived and, maritime pollution notwithstanding, no-one else was affected when the stricken aircraft crashed into the sea.

I have no knowledge of what might be happening now beyond what has been reported in the news media, however from past experience in this arena I suspect significant efforts are being made to recover the wreckage, not least to find out exactly what happened to cause the crash but also to prevent important “bits” being recovered by those who shouldn’t have them. Just like we did in the Cold War.

Forthcoming events

IMPORTANT NEWS

The Automotive Dinner will take place in Plaisterers’ Hall on Thursday 24th March 2022 and NOT on the 22nd of March as promulgated on the events leaflet distributed in September.

This was caused by an error in the proof-reading process and was only highlighted when our regular photographer questioned the date; I apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused but hopefully it won’t deter you from attending.

Coachmakers’ Annual Carol Service and Reception

The Coachmakers’ Annual Carol Service will take place at St James, Garlickhythe on Thursday 16th December 2021. This year’s event will follow a slightly different format as follows:
1700 hrs – Join the Master and Wardens for a glass of mulled wine and a mince pie at Tallow Chandlers’ Hall
1740 – Process with Master and Wardens to St James, Garlickhythe
1800 – Carol Service
1900 – Return to Tallow Chandlers Hall for a drinks reception with canapes to include the 100 Club Super Draw and a “Lucky Dip” prize draw for some festive cheer
2030 – The evening concludes
To book your places at this popular annual pre-Christmas gathering please click here.

The Award to Industry Dinner 2022

The Award to Industry Dinner will be held at Saddlers’ Hall on Thursday 20th January 2022. The Award to Industry this year will be made to Bentley Motors, belatedly to celebrate its 100th anniversary that happened in 2019 and also to recognise the success of the Bentley Continental GT3. There will be Bentley models on display in the Saddlers’ Hall Courtyard, there will be musical entertainment and our principal guest speaker will be Adrian Hallmark, Chair and CEO of Bentley Motors.

The advert for this event will go live at the beginning of December; keep an eye out for it in your inbox.

City News

There’s a new Mayor in town

On 13th November 2021 Alderman Vincent Keaveny was installed as the 693rd Lord Mayor of the City of London. To find out a little more about the man and what the role of the Lord Mayor entails please click here.

Find out about who we support

For some time the Coachmakers’ Company has supported Imperial College, London and in order to sustain and expand upon the Company’s links to all the establishments with which the Coachmakers is affiliated, the Master is currently visiting a number of the organisations supported by the Coachmakers. As part of this ongoing process, Imperial has invited Coachmakers to join in with an ‘in conversation’ event with Brahmal Vasudevan, an alumnus of aeronautical engineering, and Professor Alice Gast, President of Imperial College. For more detail and access to the portal to register for the event, please click here.

And finally

A party of Coachmakers visited two of our affiliated service units on 17th and 18th of November. Venturing deep into the West Country, 19 brave souls, gently encouraged along by the Clerk, visited Commando Helicopter Force at RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset and then HMS BULWARK, currently in bits in a dry dock in Devonport undergoing what used to be called a refit.

It was an extremely busy but enjoyable trip that everyone appeared to enjoy. More detail with photos of smiley faces will be promulgated in the next edition of Coachlines.

For now, be aware that if you are hosting the Master at an event this year be sure to keep an eye on her at all times; she has a habit of “wandering off” to speak to people along the way. This is good when time is plentiful, it is less good when time is tight and the venue consists of lots of interconnecting passageways and corridors in which it is easy to get lost, even when you know where you are going. I have a potential solution but thus far the Master has not expressed enthusiasm for it.