2 Livery Masters' Weekend at Ironbridge
6th June 2014Each year the Masters, Prime Wardens and Upper Bailiff of the 110 Livery Companies are invited for a weekend together by the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust in Coalbrookdale, Telford, Shropshire. Ironbridge Gorge was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1986 and is regarded as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution.
As well as visiting four fascinating sites in the Gorge on Saturday, there was a Livery Dinner on Friday night and the President's Ball on Saturday night, where I sat next to the Senior Curator of the Museum Trust. He shared his vision of revitalising the unique Broseley Pipeworks. Having seen the number of Livery Companies who have supported the sites we visited, I pondered how we might actively be involved.
The whole weekend was excellently organised and it was a great opportunity to meet fellow Masters. On Sunday morning we met to form our Past Masters' Association - somewhat premature in my case as Friday had been my first day in office! - and are calling it "One 4 All", an allusion to the year.