Master Water Conservator

SI MONUMENTUM REQUIRIS CIRCUMSPICE On 27 June 2023 a service of Thanksgiving for the life of Sir Christopher Wren FRS was held (naturally) in St Paul’s Cathedral, as part of the Wren 300 celebration.   The King was represented by their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.   The Livery movement was out in force, and there were contributions from the Chartered Surveyors, Chartered Architects, and the Constructors. The Thames Warden’s Consort, Mrs Eileen Bigg, represented the Water Conservators. The Great Fire of London in 1666 is one of the dates most schoolchildren know, and it is hard to believe that in 2023 we are marking 300 years since the death of Sir Christopher Wren, for he was only 34 at the time of that great conflagration, and was 90 when he died. We learnt that Sir Christopher Wren was a prodigious mathematician, and embraced the new and rapid developments in science across Europe, becoming Professor of Astronomy at Gresham College at only 25. ...

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...

One hundred and four livery companies assembled in the Guildhall for Common Hall where they elected the Sheriffs, Bridge Masters and Ale Conners for the coming year.   Along with the election of the Lord Mayor it is one of the most important occasions in the year for the City of London.   The Thames Warden Martin Bigg, Deputy Master Peter Hall and Clerk Christine Duthie represented The Water Conservators. After the colour and tradition of Common Hall we adjourned to the Wax Chandlers’ Hall where we were hosted by the Master and members of the Wax Chandlers and with members of other livery companies.   Lord Mayor Elect Michael Mainelli joined us for a very convivial lunch.   We heard about Michael’s ideas for his year ahead and suggestions for our next debate. We also learnt why it is better to put “bug houses” on buildings and gardens in the City to encourage diversity of insect life, rather than beehives.

On the weekend of 16 to 18 June, the Master and Consort attended the 2022/23 Masters’ weekend which this year was held in Glasgow. This annual weekend is an opportunity for all Masters of a given year to get together as a group and set up an association to continue their fellowship after their year ends. It’s an important relaxed social part of the Livery calendar. This year we were hosted by the 14 ‘Trades’ of Glasgow, which (along with their associated ‘Merchants’) are in many ways the equivalent of our London Liveries.  In total some 200 attended, including both our current and our previous Lord Mayors. The event started with a reception and supper at the historic Trades House. The following day included visits to the Burrell Collection, the tall ship Glenlee, and the Rennie Mackintosh church at Queen’s Cross. It was followed by a lively and informative whisky tasting. This prepared us for the Gala Dinner at Glasgow City Chambers, a glorious 19th century building represent...

The challenge of the race was introduced years ago by a Lord Mayor to mark his position of Admiral of the Port of London. The route goes from HQS Wellington to Westminster Boating Base and is contested by traditional Thames Watermen's Cutters supported or crewed by Livery companies.  The cutters are rowed by four oars, and rigged with ceremonial canopies and flags. For the Water Conservators’ cutter Forget-me-not the Thames Warden Martin Bigg and the Clerk Christine Duthie took the role of the obligatory passengers. We created quite a theatre as we all boarded our cutters on the beach on the South Bank and rowed downstream to Blackfriars Bridge.  After a U-turn and avoiding Uber boats we headed to the start alongside HQS Wellington.  Our cox provided a steady stream of instructions to give us a great start and maintain a commanding lead.  We watched the cities of London and Westminster glide by in the sun and waves, as the cox and rowers skilfully negotiated the m...

On Friday 9 th June 2023 members of the Water Conservation Trust (WCT) and Water Conservators Company (WCWC) met up at the Old Bridge Hotel in the picturesque town of Holmfirth in Yorkshire, scene of the much-loved TV series “Last of the Summer Wine”, for a weekend visit to see the work of River Holme Connections (RHC). The Water Conservation Trust funds RHCs’ Mayfly in the classroom project to increase engagement and education of water quality and river habitats among children in schools in the Huddersfield area. Our visit began on Friday evening with a visit to Compo’s Restaurant for a traditional fish and chip supper with magnificent views across the River Holme valley. On Saturday morning Lynva Russell, RHC Chair and WCWC member, took us on a walk along the River Holme to witness some of the work undertaken by RHC to increase public access to the river, followed by a steep climb up the side of the valley to a high point with breath taking views of the catchment and surrounding are...

The Thames Warden, Martin Bigg, represented the Company of Water Conservators at the second Entrepreneurs’ Award in Social Innovation final, held at the impressive Skyline overlooking the Tower of London and Tower Bridge.   Masters and other representatives from City Livery Companies as well as the Entrepreneurs’ Company saw five finalists pitch, from over 100 early-stage entrepreneurs, innovating to tackle big social or environmental issues.   The winner received a £10,000 grant and a host of in-kind services, introductions and support. The initiatives included the provision of risk intelligence software, soil health analysis, improved drone delivery logistics, an innovative digital health care platform, and hardware and AI to improve the sorting and availability of textile waste.   With the amazing range of enterprises, and despite questioning the finalists, it was very difficult to vote on the project for the future.   They were all winners!