Master’s Message – June 2025

What a month! June has been one of the busiest months for Beverley and I since taking office on 1st September. Certainly one of the most memorable and enjoyable ones.

The Livery Weekend 2025

The magnificent Livery Weekend for Masters & Consorts was held at Aberdeen with Lord Mayor Alderman Alastair King, a proud Aberdonian. The event on 6th-8th June was attended by 102 Livery Masters/Prime Wardens and their Consorts and full of entertainment. Beverley and I made the long road trip up to Aberdeen which allowed a detour visit (more below). The Friday evening reception was attended by none other than HRH The Princess Royal, and it was a great honour to meet her briefly and chat with her.

The weekend was organised by the seven Incorporated Trades of Aberdeen. The programme included a black tie reception at Trinity Hall, visits to the Port of Aberdeen, Footdee fishing village, Crathes Castle, and Aberdeen Art Gallery, followed by a Ceilidh and Sunday service at King’s College Chapel. The 2025 Masters held their Past Masters Association formulation meeting and agreed that this year’s group will be called the ‘The Quartermasters’ to mark the quarter century.

Ruskin Museum and the Bluebird hydroplane

On the journey to Aberdeen, I was presented with a perfect opportunity to make a stop at the Ruskin Museum at Coniston Water, Cumbria to view the K7 Bluebird hydroplane, and meet Museum Director Tracy Hodgson. The museum has kindly allowed us to borrow this historic exhibit for our Lord Mayor’s Show float 2025 in November.

Coachmaker and journalist David Barzilay has been making the relevant arrangements with Ruskin to borrow and safely transport the exhibit to London in November. The presumptive next Lord Mayor Dame Sue Langley is very excited at the prospect of this unique exhibit being in the show procession.

The Coachmakers’ Banquet

The company enjoyed a sell-out banquet at the magnificent Mansion House Egyptian Room on 9th June. The Clerk composed a special fanfare music piece ‘The proud Aberdonian’ as a gift for the Lord Mayor and he was presented with a framed copy of the score. The Lord Mayor’s procession into the dining hall was accompanied by the fanfare, also during the evening our Clerk Craig played the Post Horn Gallop on a horn and a kazoo to great acclaim.

The auction combined with generous sponsorship during the evening raised more than £50k for the charitable trust. Our celebrated speaker Ian Whittle, son of the jet engine inventor Sir Frank Whittle, delivered a magnificent guest speech and embellished his performance with paper aeroplanes which he launched across the room. He did ask me if he could stand on his chair to do this, but as Ian is 90 years old this was judged to be not a good idea! The Banquet also hosted British barrister and TV host Rob Rinder, and featured entertainment from the Military Wives Choir. A superb and memorable evening.

Ian Whittle (left) with The Master and the W2

British Driving Society’s Annual Show

The 60th British Driving Society Annual Show was held on Sunday 22nd June at Smith’s Lawn, Windsor Great Park, and as Master I was proud to present one of the trophies. A group of Coachmakers enjoyed a wonderful sunny day out and picnic with some of the very best carriages and horses on parade.

From left: PM Michael Kimber, Master Stephen Fitz-Gerald and Steward Roger Woodbridge

Abseiling madness

In a weak moment while chatting with the Lord Mayor, and without realising the full horror of it all, I have agreed to abseil down the ‘cheese grater’ building in Leadenhall Street in support of the Lord Mayor’s Appeal. The event will take place on 7th July and shortly a JustGiving sponsorship appeal page can be found here for your generous consideration. Please consider donating a modest sum to the cause.

May I wish you all a wonderful summer break.