Master Water Conservator

  23 January was an occasion both solemn and glittering for our Company. It commenced with the Myddelton Service for Rededication of the Livery at All Hallows by the Tower, which was most beautifully and thoughtfully led by our Honorary Chaplain, Rev Katherine Hedderly. This is no empty ceremonial but a solemn reaffirmation of the pledge of Service we made when we became Freemen, and of our promise of allegiance to our Sovereign (and interestingly obedience to Master and Wardens, not something we would dream of enforcing!). We were reminded of the mission we have stated of ‘promoting a diverse and sustainable environment’. It was wonderful to see so many members in attendance (in the face of the usual Monday morning disruption to rail services). After the Service we were led in procession by our Beadle, Mark Anderson, past the Tower of London and the Memorial to merchant seafarers to Trinity House. See photo. Our Myddelton Lunch flowed naturally on from this Service. We were de...

The above book on the City Livery Companies is due to be published later this year with an editorial deadline this month. The following text on the Water Conservators has been submitted as approved by FMGP. We have a lot of which to be proud! Incorporated by Royal Charter 2005 The Worshipful Company of Water Conservators Promoting a diverse and sustainable environment   The Worshipful Company of Water Conservators is a modern livery company, incorporated by Royal Charter in 2005, whose mission is ‘promoting a diverse and sustainable environment’. Our members include senior current or retired individuals from the water and environmental sector, finance, consultancy, government and academia, as well as a growing cohort of younger associates – all of whom share our commitment to the long-term health of water and the environment. We seek to play our full part in the wider livery movement with a particular focus on: ·       developing the skills of younger membe...

On Sunday 15 January I attended the annual Service at Wells Cathedral in commemoration of Bishop Thomas Beckynton of Bath and Wells, who in 1452 authorised the construction of a conduit from St Andrew’s well to supply water to the people of Wells. Remains of the conduit are still a highly visible feature of the city to this day.  This was a very similar event to our own annual Myddelton Service which takes place on 23 January (with in the case of Wells a procession of local civic leaders rather than ours of liverymen). Services such as these, along with the well blessings which are such a feature of various parts of rural Britain, are a useful reminder that we cannot take our supply of clear and wholesome water for granted. Without water there is no life.

On Wednesday 4 January Past Masters Peter Matthews and Rob Casey, Thames Warden Martin Bigg and I had a further Zoom meeting with DEFRA. This followed on from the previous meetings with DEFRA described in blog number 5 and ties in closely with our webinar programme, with our upcoming discussion dinner with the Minister in February, and with our showcase City Water Debate (on governance of the water sector) in March. Prior to the meeting we had provided DEFRA with discussion papers on governance of the water sector and on water supply, drawing on the sterling inputs of some 20 of our members. At the meeting we discussed the need for improvements to the governance framework of the water sector and the associated water company price review process, given developments in national priorities and industry changes over the past thirty years. We also discussed the possibility of some form of cross sectoral commission which would reflect the views of all stakeholders and develop a genuine con...