Clerk’s notes – September 2023

It is recorded that: “On Friday, September 29, 1758, a fine day in autumn described as very fair, the wife of the Rector of Burnham Thorpe, Burnham St Albert-with-Alp and Burnham Norton, Norfolk, gave birth to a son.” And although she didn’t know it at the time, Mrs Nelson’s new born babe would go on to make history.

Mark The Clerk

Company events

The outline details of the main Livery Dinners for this Livery Year are now listed in the Events section of the Coachmakers’ website. The closest dates to note in your diary are as follows:

Lord Mayor’s Show – Saturday 11th November 2023 – the book is now open for Coachmakers to join the Master at this most wonderful event. The Coachmakers’ entry will once again be a coach and four horses, with walkers following, but this year it will be the Master’s own coach which is of particular historical interest.

Aerospace Industry Dinner at Vintners’ Hall – Thursday 16th November 2023 – the book will open on 5th October.

Coachmakers’ Carol Service – Thursday 7th December 2023 – the book will open on Thursday 2nd November.

You might also wish to note the following:

Coachmakers’ Annual Banquet 2024 – the Banquet will be held on Friday 17th May 2024. More details will be promulgated next month but for now, please make a note in your diary for what promises to be another great Coachmaker event in the Guildhall.

Company news

Coachmakers’ website

The Communications Committee is working to update the Company website and prepare for publication of this year’s The Coachmaker and associated publications. If you haven’t visited your personal page on the website recently, please do so now and make any updates or changes to it as soon as possible please. If you have difficulty logging on please contact the Clerk at: clerk@coachmakers.co.uk

City events

Treasures of the Gold and Silver Wyre Drawers

The Worshipful Company of Gold and Silver Wyre Drawers is holding an exhibition at the Guildhall Art Gallery. It is open seven days a week from 30th September to 12th November. There is the option to book groups for a guided tour. The exhibition includes a wide range of pieces that show how gold and silver wyre has been used and is still used today. Tickets are a very reasonable £10 and full details are here.

Dial Medicine for Murder

The Renter Warden has informed me that the Sheriffs’ & Recorder’s Fund is again planning an unusual fundraising evening to take place in Court No.1, Old Bailey on Tuesday 28 November. Dial Medicine for Murder is a criminal medical consultation given by retired doctors Dr Harry Brunjes and Dr Harry Johns.

They will present the story of the two most notorious British Physicians of the 20th century who were serial-killers on a vast scale; Dr Harold Shipman and Dr John Bodkin Adams. They will compare and contrast the background, arrest, trials, legacy and psychopathology of both individuals interspersed with film footage and contemporaneous news items. There is only one performance and 142 seats in total, you are recommended to book your seats online early while available, at this link: https://wcmpc.wufoo.com/forms/dial-medicine-for-murder-consultation-show/ More information about the presentation can be viewed here: http://www.dialmedicineformurder.com/dates

HAC Reception for SSAFA’s Children’s Services

SSAFA is the Armed Forces Charity and I have received an invitation to any member of the Company who might be interested in learning a little bit more about how SSAFA helps Armed Forces’ families with children who are disabled or have additional needs. The aim is to spread the word about this unique and valuable service to those who may not be aware of the wide range of support offered by SSAFA. The event will be held at Armoury House, Honourable Artillery Company, City Road, London EC1Y 2BQ, on Wednesday 18th October 2023 at 6pm-7.30pm. RSVP by 2nd October 2023 to michael.bonar@ssafa.org.uk on 0204 558 7331.

Red Cross Christmas Market

Tickets for the Red Cross Christmas Market are now on general sale, information available here. All tickets for this year’s spectacular Guildhall Christmas market in aid of the British Red Cross are now LIVE! Get your gala night tickets (Monday 27th November) before they sell out or book yourself a festive luncheon or afternoon tea in the atmospheric crypts on market day (Tuesday 28th November). Several Livery Companies will be selling their wares from which all proceeds will go to the Red Cross, plus there will be an array of more than 60 commercial stalls selling everything from jewellery to homeware – this is the perfect occasion to get your Christmas shopping list sorted in style. Contact Jess at jessicamolyneux@redcross.org.uk if you have any questions about the market.

Inter-Livery Padel Competition 31st May 2024

The first Inter Livery Padel Competition will be run by the Saddlers’ Company at the LTA Centre in Roehampton on Friday 31st May 2024. Padel, the fastest growing ball sport in the world, offers players of all standards the opportunity to compete in mixed pairs for their Livery Company in the best facility in the country. The day will conclude with a dinner. Companies that would like to express an interest in entering a team (or teams) are requested to inform Luisa Cioffi pa@saddlersco.co.uk confirming their primary point of contact. Further details will be issued towards the end of the autumn with allocation of places in the New Year.

In conclusion

On 29th September 1805, Admiral Lord Nelson rejoined the Fleet off Cadiz on his 47th birthday. In “The Naval History of Great Britain from 1793 to 1820”, William James described the event thus:

“His lordship had sailed from Portsmouth, in his old ship the Victory, on the morning of the 15th, accompanied by the Euryalus frigate. On the 18th, when the two ships were off Plymouth, the Ajax and the Thunderer joined. On the 26th lord Nelson despatched the Euryalus ahead, to acquaint vice-admiral lord Collingwood with his approach, and to direct that, on his assuming the command, no salute should be fired nor colours hoisted, in order that the enemy might be unapprized of the arrival of a reinforcement.”

And although Lord Nelson didn’t know it at the time, 22 days later he would pass into immortality.