79. Service of Thanksgiving for the life of Sir Christopher Wren St Paul’s Cathedral, 27 June 2023


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.  A founder of the Royal Society, Wren was appointed Surveyor General of the King’s Works in 1669.  Eighty-seven churches were destroyed in the Great Fire, and in 1670 construction of 52 new London churches began.  Wren was responsible for them all, and showed a remarkable capacity for different forms of architecture. 

Wren was charged with designing a new cathedral that was “handsome and noble to all the ends of it and to the reputation of the City and the nation”.  The total cost was £1,095,556 (around £174m today) funded by a tax on coal.

The preacher was the Revd Dr Professor Maxwell Hutchinson, Past President of the Royal Institute of British Architects.  He professed to never using visual aids in his sermons, so had been somewhat confounded on this occasion, bearing in mind Sir Christopher Wren’s epitaph “If you seek my memorial, look around you”.  He pointed out that whereas Westminster Abbey had been deliberately located close to royal palaces, St Paul’s was a cathedral for the people, positioned where they lived.

There was ample opportunity during the service to admire the architecture, and the magnificent organ and choir again played their part in a splendid service in a truly awe-inspiring setting.

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