Master’s message – July 2025

Pictured above: The Master with Sir Andrew Parmley KStJ

It is hard to believe that Beverley and I are now entering our last few weeks as your Master and Mistress. Our year-to-date has been an unbelievable joy with so many events, occasions and invitations. Between us we have made so many new friends and relationships across all parts of the livery and established some life-long friendships.

We were especially pleased with the ‘Coming Home’ Dinner on 10th July at Pewterers’ Hall where we honoured our historical presence on that very site, and enjoyed what was our first Carriage Driving Awards dinner. The plan is for this to become a regular theme for the summer dinner, alongside the well-established Automotive and Aerospace Dinners. It is right that as we approach our 350th anniversary year that we honour and recognise our original craft and trade. We were fortunate to secure former Lord Mayor Sir Andrew Parmley KStJ as our speaker who delivered his usual hilarious entertainment.

Another highlight of the dinner was to honour Past Master Richard Dallimore for having achieved an amazing 75 years of service to the Company. Richard was Master in 1985.

We were proud to receive Richard on the evening and recognised his enormous achievement. We have also agreed that we will re-name the Motor Car Centenary Bursary Award, which was launched by Richard with an appeal in his Master’s year and launched in 1988/89. It will now be called the Richard Dallimore Motor Car Centenary Bursary Award.

PM Richard Dallimore receiving his 75 years’ recognition certificate

I believe this year that I have delivered on my Master’s theme of the four ‘Fs’; fellowship, friendship, fundraising, and fun. We have made many new friends both externally and internally to the company during this year. On fellowship, we have been involved in events with more than 50 other livery companies throughout the year, including the seven leather livery companies. We have also made new friendships with the Carmen, Fuellers and Pewterers. On fundraising, we have raised more than £60,000 for our own and other charities. As to fun, I don’t think we have taken ourselves too seriously this year and we have enjoyed ourselves enormously.

Beverley and I have immensely enjoyed working with our new Clerk Lt Col Craig Hallatt during his first year with us, just completed. And now we have also gained his lovely wife Deborah as Assistant Clerk, and she has made an enormous impact on our administration in just four months.

Lt Col Craig Hallatt RCAM & Deborah Hallatt – the Clerkship team

We are now in the peak of the summer season, and we would like to wish you all an enjoyable time on holidays or relaxing at home. We have a great Company and Beverley and I are so very grateful to so many of you who have supported us during the year, a heartfelt thank you.