Master’s message December 2025

Dear fellow Coachmakers,

As we rapidly approach the festive season, I can reflect on another fulfilling and enjoyable month representing the Livery. Much of what occupies the Master’s time is not visible to anyone beyond the Wardens, the Court and Committee members. So many emails, phone calls and zoom meetings take place every month, every week, every day! December has been no different, much has been achieved that moves us forward.

The social highlight of the month was our Carol Service and Supper on 11th December. As you will know if you attended, we enjoyed a joint Carol Service at St James Garlickhythe with the Worshipful Company of Educators, which meant the church was full, we enjoyed the singing of the Educators’ Choir, the musicians of the Salvation Army and shared readings with their Master and Wardens. Our Honorary Chaplain, Canon Jeremy Haselock, shared the service with the Chaplain to the Educators, and we all enjoyed the magical singing of the St James Choir accompanied by Sir Andrew Parmley KStJ on the organ.

We then moved across the road to The Little Ship Club, where the Clerk had organised mulled wine and a festive meal served in a Yorkshire pudding, provided by a street food caterer in a mobile kitchen in the car park! We enjoyed the facilities of the Little Ship Club to eat our supper, and an open bar. The festive mood was enhanced by singing carols in the bar, accompanied by Sir Andrew again on the piano!

I hope you will remember my request that every Liveryman or Freeman come to at least one dinner in the year. The next opportunity is the Winter Court Dinner at Waterman’s Hall on 22nd January, although very few places were left when I wrote this, but the Automotive Court Dinner on 25th March at Vintner’s Hall is a bigger hall and has plenty of capacity.

In closing, I would like to extend my very best wishes for Christmas and the New Year to you and your family on behalf of Zoë and myself.

Richard