Master’s message November 2025

Dear fellow Coachmakers,

Time flies when you are having fun, and already I have reached the end of my first quarter as Master. November has continued to be a busy but highly rewarding month, and has benefited from outstanding support from various members of the Livery.

Saturday 1st November saw Liverymen including Assistants Nick Lyford and Roger Woodbridge manning a Coachmaker presence at the RAC Pall Mall to be part of the start of Motor Week, this day being titled St James’s Motoring Spectacle. The participants in the London to Brighton run taking place the following morning were lined up on Pall Mall, attracting a large and enthusiastic crowd, with many interested to hear about the work of the Coachmakers supporting young people entering our industries.

On Monday 3rd November I attended the annual placing of crosses in the Garden of Remembrance at St Paul’s Cathedral, to recognise those men and women of the City of London who gave their lives for their country in two World Wars, and other conflicts since. It was a moving and solemn occasion, noteworthy that the Master/Prime Warden of all 113 Livery Companies were present.

That evening I attended a celebratory Service of Thanksgiving at St Stephen Walbrook for the outgoing Lord Mayor, Coachmaker Alastair King KStJ DL and Lady Mayoress Florence. It was a much deserved recognition of the incredible time and effort put in by Alastair and Florence in their year, promoting the City worldwide and raising considerable funds for the Lord Mayor’s appeal.

The annual Lord Mayor’s Show, this time the Lady Mayor’s Show to recognise our Lady Mayor, Dame Susan Langley DBE, took place on 8th November, with a stronger than ever presence from the Coachmakers. Immediate Past Master Stephen Fitz-Gerald, ably supported by Freeman David Barzilay and the Communications Committee, masterminded our moving display, which centred around Donald Campbell’s speed record-setting hydroplane Bluebird.

I should also thank Honorary Assistant Richard Robinson who put the whole thing together including a substantial and ‘classy’ picnic half-way round. Indeed, it was the envy of many as they passed the team pitched up in the park complete with picnic tables, Nyetimber English sparkling wine and a hot buffet.

Freeman David Barzilay has a strong relationship with the Campbell family and the Ruskin Museum in Coniston in the Lake District, and thanks to considerable sponsorship raised by the IPM was able to have Bluebird driven on a low loader around the route through the City as the Coachmakers’ entry. David, helped by Ella Griffin from his PR company, liaised extensively with the City Corporation and many media outlets including the BBC to gain coverage of our presence, including The Royal British Legion Surbiton Marching Band – playing The Bluebird K7 March, the 3rd movement of the Bluebird Suite, composed by our gifted Clerk, Lt Col Craig Hallatt.

On 12th November I enjoyed a fun evening with alumni of our awards, hosted by Assistants Eric Wallbank and Roger Woodbridge, outgoing and incoming Chairmen of the Charity Committee. Ellie Bacon from the Committee had organised for around 15 alumni to gather for a few beers and nibbles at The Banker Pub near Cannon Street to exchange experiences since winning their awards. It was a very enjoyable evening, and will become a regular fixture in our under-35s’ calendar, I hope.

Our big event this month was the Aerospace Industry Dinner at the impressive Barber-Surgeons’ Hall. As I told you last month, I was delighted that our capacity of 126 had to be stretched to accommodate 134 attendees, such was the demand for places. We had a busy and industrious Court Meeting before, and the reception and dinner that followed were in best Coachmaker tradition.

The food and wine were excellent, the conversation and mood was warm and convivial, our guest speaker, Simon Barnes, Group Managing Director, Air for BAE Systems gave a fascinating speech, and the highlight of the evening saw us present no less than nine awards and bursaries to some deserving young winners. It was a fine reminder of what we are here to do, and judging by the calibre of recipients, and their heartfelt gratitude for our support, I know we have truly changed lives.

As I did on the night, I want to recognise the enormous contribution of the Aerospace Awards Committee under the outstanding Chairmanship of Steward Neil Sheath, who is stepping down after six years in the role, but remaining on the Committee.

My most recent City of London occasion was the Lady Mayor’s address to the Livery, held at Mansion House on 19th November, where all Livery Masters/Prime Wardens and Clerks were briefed by Dame Susan Langley DBE on her ambitions for her year as Lady Mayor. Unsurprisingly she has impressive plans for the next 12 months, and we look forward to playing our part in achieving them.

Thank you for reading this, please take the time to read the other important articles in Coachlines, including a message from me about the cost of dinners.

All the best
Master Richard Charlesworth MVO