A Week of Contrasts
8th March 2020This has been a busy week of real contrasts which I feel shows the range of responsibilities and opportunities to which a Master is exposed.
My most important duty was to represent the Company at the funeral of one of our Liverymen. This is not the appropriate place to say more, other than that it was a privilege to attend such a beautiful ceremony and our thoughts and condolences are with his family.
It has also been a week of education. Thanks to a brilliant lecture at St. Lawrence Jewry, I learned about the profound connections between the Caribbean and the City, with tobacco and sugar featuring strongly! The Derek Melluish Memorial Lecture, hosted by the London Guide Lecturers Association, was given by Blondel Cluff CBE, Chief Executive of the West India Committee. It was an erudite presentation, full of warmth, humour and intelligence, which I enjoyed very much. Later, the Educators similarly held a superb lecture, followed by a delicious dinner. Professor Becky Francis, Chief Executive of the Educational Endowment Foundation gave her insights into how the backgrounds of children influence their potential, and progress, through the educational system and beyond. It was a thorough discussion, backed by empirical study and real thought and again was most enjoyable. Many thanks to Pamela Taylor, the Master Educator, for her superb hospitality.
Finally, no week would be complete without some City Fellowship! The Master Mariners' Court Luncheon on HQS Wellington certainly did not disappoint (the MMs never do!) and was a wonderful occasion, as was the well attended, vibrant and entertaining dinner of the Worshipful Company of Hackney Carriage Drivers at the beautiful Painters' Hall.