53. Whittington600


On 14 March, the Master and his consort, along with the Thames Warden and Past Master Peter Matthews and their consorts plus the Walbrook Warden, all attended the commemoration of the 600th anniversary of Dick Whittington‘s death. The event at St Michael’s Paternoster Royal was organised by Alderman Alison Gowman and the Water Conservators made very significant contributions (see below).

Proceedings started with a Service of Commemoration, delightfully led by The Rt Rev and Rt Hon Dame Sarah Mullally, Bishop of London. At the close a wreath was laid at Dick Whittington’s memorial in the church.

Afterwards there were presentations on the life and legacy of Dick Whittington by Professor Caroline Barron OBE and by our own Walbrook Warden, Professor Carolyn Roberts. The latter presentation was on Dick Whittington’s ‘Longhouse’, a long vanished 128 seater public convenience located on the Thames, and was exceedingly well received. With Carolyn’s permission the text is reproduced in full below.

At the conclusion, Alison Gowman thanked both speakers and, leading directly on from Carolyn’s presentation on toilets, announced her own ‘Bin it don’t block it’ campaign. This is designed to address the scourge of sewer blockages and Alison paid specific tribute to the Water Conservators for our input. Readers will remember blog number 6 of 30 August (Bag it and Bin it) when Past Master Peter Matthews and I suggested to Alison that the City should set a lead in this area.

After the formal event, we all retired for a most genial reception at Innholders’ Hall.

It was wonderful to see our Company playing our full part in such an important piece of City ceremonial.

Dick Whittington talk

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

56. City Water Debate - sector leaders at the top of their game

Image
On 21 March the Company staged our flagship annual City Water Debate, at Bakers’ Hall. It was a sell out and we were all privileged to hear five leaders of our sector, all at the top of their game, share their perspectives on the governance issues facing the sector. It was like being physically in the room in one of Plato’s dialogues listening in first hand to leaders discussing the great issues of the day. We hold the City Water Debate annually on the eve of World Water Day and it was the fifteenth in a series dating back to my previous term as Master. The packed event attended by Sheriff Andrew Marsden, Alderman Alison Gowman, Lord Mayor elect our own Michael Mainelli (wearing our Company tear drop),  Masters of associated companies, a very strong contingent of our own members and high profile guests from outside the livery. The event was a fine illustration of the ability of Livery Companies to convene and participate in debate on the major issues of their sectors and was huge...
Read more

10. Sheep drive across London Bridge and WCT sponsored walk

Image
Sunday 25 September was a busy day for the Master, Consort and several of our members. We started by watching the traditional sheep drive across London Bridge and attending the associated livery company fair at Monument. The Master was able to pay his personal respects to the Lord Mayor and exchange greetings with a number of fellow masters. As well as a lovely and important event, this was in the nature of a fact finding operation. We have not to my knowledge participated in driving sheep across the river (at least in recent years); it is less complicated than I had imagined - one does not for instance have to bring one’s own sheep. Perhaps something for a future year? Also could we have a stand at the livery fair showing us conserving water? After that a brief diversion to Guildhall Yard for the Lord Mayor’s military band competition, presided over by our honorary Liveryman and Past Lord Mayor, Sir Andrew Parmley. We were unable to stay long as the our own Water Conservation Trust ...
Read more

78. Cranfield University Prize Winners’ Ceremony, 27 June 2023

Image
On behalf of the Worshipful Company of Water Conservators and the Water Conservation Trust the Thames Warden Martin Bigg attended the annual Graduation ceremony at Cranfield University.  Individuals, businesses and City Livery Companies sponsor prizes at the University.  Along with the Armourers and Brasiers, and Fan Makers, we recognised the achievements of students on the various Master’s programmes run by the University.  The Winner of the Water Conservators’ Dissertation prize at Cranfield University this year was Sheriffa Griffiths* (pictured above, with Senior Lecturer in Water Governance, Heather Smith). After the Ceremony, the University hosted the winners and guests to lunch.   It was very encouraging to hear the ideas and enthusiasm of the students and their desire to make a valuable contribution to a sustainable future.   I was interested to learn about research into “forever chemicals” including PFOS.   I also heard about the challenges facing...
Read more