Clerk’s Notes – October 2024

So after what seems like an eternity as your Clerk – a busy but happy seven weeks at that(!) – the next issue of Coachlines is upon us.

I have been thinking for a while now how I might weave my career in military music into an article championing the sunny uplands of my new role. Not an easy task I can assure you. I wondered, is there a song or a military march that might align with my so-far short, yet exciting, journey? Well, the stirring lyrics of a song would certainly warm the hearts of our members and the martial splendour of a military march, ‘Wait For The Wagon’ for instance that was the Regimental March of the Royal Corps of Transport, would certainly make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.

But ultimately, there was only one piece of music that could epitomise my first few weeks in the job: ‘Short Ride in a Fast Machine’ by the American composer, John Adams. The title is based on the phrase: “You know how it is when someone asks you to ride in a terrific sports car, and then you wish you hadn’t?”

The music, composed for the opening of an American music festival called ‘Great Woods’ in 1986, evokes the excitement-come-terror of a late-night thrill ride in a sports car. It is written for large orchestra and is described as a fanfare.

As I am sure you will know a fanfare is normally a loud flourish played on brass instruments that introduces someone or something and grabs your attention; much akin to when Royalty, or even Livery Company Masters enter a room, one might hear a resounding fanfare announcing their arrival “I’m here!” so to speak. I would never presume the Clerk needed a fanfare, but I am most certainly here.

Company events

The Aerospace Industry Dinner – 21st November 2024

Join the Master for an evening of fellowship and friendship at the Aerospace Industry Dinner at Ironmongers’ Hall, home of one of the Great 12 Livery Companies of the City of London, which has links to the iron trade that reach back almost 700 years.
The Master will present awards to nine talented young people hoping to forge their careers in the aerospace industry.
Our guest speakers promise a rich and enjoyable perspective on military aviation past and present, with renowned author, historian and commentator Paul Beaver, and Sea Harrier, Harrier GR7/ GR9 and USN FA-18 Super Hornet pilot and author Commander Paul Tremelling.

Tickets are still available here.

Christmas with The Coachmakers – 12th December 2024

Christmas with the Coachmakers will take place at Tallow Chandlers’ Hall on 12th December. The preceding Carol Service will be held in St James Garlickhythe commencing at 6pm, we will then head across to Tallows’ for a wonderful festive two-course supper. The theme of the evening will be festive fun, cheer and laughter. Music throughout will be uplifting and will include a Christmassy sing-a-long, acoustic fireside favourites and a cameo appearance by your Clerk. There will also be the opportunity to demonstrate your Christmas teamwork and decoration skills in a hilarious competition to win the ultimate in Christmas prize. We will also make the John Pearl 100 Club Super Draw and have a cash raffle; selling tickets on the night.

Don’t miss out and wonder how amazing a night it will be – come and enjoy the festive fun with us! Tickets will be available from Monday 4th November 2024.

City news

A message from the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress:

I hope that you have had a wonderful summer and are keeping warm as the cold days draw in. The Lady Mayoress and I can hardly believe that the year is nearly at an end and with it, our duties as Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress. We are very grateful for the all the support we have had throughout the year from all of you and have one final request:

Join us to celebrate the end of our year at the Grand Finale where the West End meets Guildhall for A Night at the Musicals! Taking place on Wednesday 6th November at Guildhall, we will be hosting an evening of entertainment and fundraising where you will have a rare chance to experience the Great Hall in one of London’s oldest buildings like never before – with intimate tables and low lighting laid out to evoke a 1920s jazz club cabaret.

The event will be raising money for The Lord Mayor’s Appeal, supporting three inspirational charities – MQ Mental Health Research, Homewards – a Royal Foundation programme and National Numeracy. They are all delivering groundbreaking programmes to bring solutions to some of the UK’s most pressing societal issues.

On arrival, guests will be served bubbles and canapés before sitting down to enjoy a spectacular whistle stop tour of popular musical classics from Cats to Moulin Rouge performed by musical aficionado and West End star Darren Day and a talented cast from Beyond Repair.

During the performance there will be the opportunity for guests to purchase wine and an interval to ensure guests have a chance to bid on the wonderful silent auction and purchase tickets for the raffle. Tickets to the show only are £250 and include bubbles and canapés.

Those choosing the afterparty dinner package can join the Lady Mayoress and I in the Guildhall’s atmospheric Crypts, to dine on a decadent two-course feast with wine. As well as a delicious dinner, guests will enjoy more entertainment and the chance to hob nob with the stars of the show. Tickets £350.

We would be delighted if any member of the Guild of Freemen would consider supporting us by taking tickets. To make a booking, please complete the online booking form here or email events@thelordmayorsappeal.org.

City Christmas Fair

On Monday 2nd December, 11am to 8pm Drapers’ Hall will once again open its doors to the City Christmas Fair. Please join us for a day of luxury Christmas shopping with more than 50 fantastic stalls selling everything from festive food to jewellery and from clothing to homewares. Get your entrance tickets here.

A thank you from the Sherriffs

Now that our year in office is in the rear-view mirror, we wanted to thank you all and your members for the fantastic support, friendship and camaraderie which we enjoyed during our year in office. A fruitful year full of memorable events, dinners, lunches and lectures. We were happy to support them all.

Working together, separately, and with the Livery and the team at the Old Bailey, we have sought to make a contribution to our City. We would like to highlight:

Collectively we have made a material difference to the Sheriffs’ and Recorder’s Fund – raising more than £100,000, increasing its annual income by about 50%. A particular contributor was the cycle ride to visit the Sheriff of Nottinghamshire. Thank you to the 14 Liverymen who made the journey. Another contributor has been the post Old Bailey lunch donations, something introduced this year. Thank you all those who supported these initiatives.
The portraits of the 15 judges of the Old Bailey by Jane Masojada which also raised funds for the Sheriffs’ and Recorder’s Fund. These captured the essential humanity and personality of the wonderful judges who guide our most senior criminal court. A record for the ages. They will be on show at Painter Stainers in November.
The outreach work of the Old Bailey supported by Gary Langley, seeking by active participation in school visits and events at the Bailey, to reduce the likelihood of young people to get involved in crime.
The work by both Sheriff’s to create more Routes to Roles in City Firms. Our City is one which welcomes all talents. Sometimes individuals need inspiration or a route map. We hope our work will help more individuals clamber over barriers.

Thank you all for your support. We all look forward to working with you all in the future.

In conclusion

‘Short Ride in a Fast Machine’ is a joyfully exuberant piece, brilliantly scored for a large orchestra. It features a lot of rowdy percussion and the steady marking of a beat which is typical of Adams’s music. Furthermore, catering for the aficionados out there, the music comprises three concentric patterns. The first played by the wood block – literally a piece of wood, nothing fancy (although percussionists would have you think different) – is key to the music but then there are two further motifs on flute and brass. Bizarrely, none are related and the resulting cacophony creates the impression of speed, energy, excitement and not a little danger, with an infectious musical drive that propels the listener into the heart of the composition.

One music critic wrote: “There’s something exhilarating about testing the limits, knowing that you’re on the verge of losing control but never crossing the line. This is the thrill of downhill skiing, roller coasters, jumping out of aeroplanes or taking a short, harrowing ride in a friend’s Jaguar,” very much like my first seven weeks as Clerk (although I hope my ride is not a short one!).

If you would like to listen to Short Ride in a Fast Machine here is the link.