Master's Blog - april 2019

10th April

Welcome to this month’s Blog. You will see what a busy life a Master has during his year of office, being an ambassador for our Livery Company whilst enjoying meeting like-minded people in terms of promoting the skills and talent of young people through charitable work.
On 20th March I gave a talk on ”Women in Prison” to the Vale of Glamorgan National Trust in Cowbridge and was delighted to meet a number of our Liverymen who were present . Thanks for their support.
On 21st March I was part of a Deputation visiting Monmouth School for Girls and Monmouth School representing the Haberdashers Livery Company, whilst also showing the flag for the Worshipful Livery Company of Wales which I try to do at every opportunity !!
We hosted Treorchy Male Choir and 3 soloists (Livery Award winners) from St. John’s College Cardiff in a Concert at St. German’s Church on 23rd March, attended by over 180 people, including Liverymen. It was an amazing evening with outstanding performances as befits a world class Choir and drew much praise from those present, some of whom commented on the hairs on the back of their necks being raised during some of the emotive pieces and the wonderful acoustics in such a fine venue.
I attended both the Charity and Public Relations Committee meetings on 26th March. It is good to see that all our Committees, including the Awards Committee, are now working closely together with a more coherent approach.
On 28th March I and my Consort, Sue, attended the Lord Mayor of London’s Dinner for the Masters of the Livery Companies of London to meet with the Masters of Livery Companies outside London. This was held in the Mansion House in London and was very well attended by Masters from over 112 Livery Companies. The Worshipful Livery Company of Wales was honoured to be on the top table.
The following day 29th March we had been invited to the 77th Service of the United Guilds of the City of London at St Paul’s Cathedral which was a superb event as Liverymen all turned up in their traditional colourful robes, badges and, in some cases, hats. A feast for photographers outside, of which there were many!
It is essential that we take these opportunities to meet Liverymen from other Livery Companies and to raise our profile with them. There was considerable interest in the work that we are doing in promoting and encouraging the young people of Wales.
Lunch followed at Haberdashers’ Hall where I met with Liverymen from the Feltmakers’ and Saddlers’ Companies, both of whom have been touch since and wish to make further links with our Company.
On 30th March I was invited to represent our Livery Company at the Freedom of Monmouth Parade as the Captain and crew of HMS Monmouth exercised their right to march through the town accompanied by a band of the Royal Marines. The inspection was carried out by the Lord Lieutenant of Gwent and the salute taken by the Mayor of Monmouth. The newly appointed High Sheriff of Gwent was also in attendance and I was able to discuss the aims and objectives of our Livery Company with her.
Moving into April - I attended a finance meeting and chaired the General Purposes Committee on 2nd April and also attended the Awards Committee on 8th April. Next week, 16th April will see meetings of the Trustees or our Charitable Trust followed by a full meeting of Court.