Master Water Conservator

The Conference, attended by many members of different Livery Companies, was held in support of the City of London’s Climate Action Strategy.  The founder of the Livery Climate Action Group, Alderman Alison Gowman, opened the Conference.  The Thames Warden Martin Bigg, Deputy Master Peter Hall and Past Master Mark Lane represented the Water Conservators.  Unfortunately Past Master Rob Casey, who is leading our commitment to the Climate Action Strategy and our contribution to the Conference, was indisposed. The Conference focused on matters that affect most Livery Companies including sustainable catering, carbon reduction and a sustainable approach to refurbishment.   The Keynote Speaker, Emma Howard Boyd, spoke of the lack of investment in climate action and the lack of well-prepared projects, and the disproportionate impact of climate change on more socially deprived communities.   She questioned whether the UK is falling behind internationally on climate action and observed that th

The Company held its Summer Reception on Tuesday 27 July in the Marie Louise Room at the Oxford and Cambridge Club - familiar to many of us from the Master’s Dinner earlier in the year. It was a perfect opportunity for new members and their guests to meet existing Company members. We were a most diverse and lively cast of characters and, as one might expect, it was a really great evening. Conversation (and wine) flowed on some time past the expected end time after which the Master was delighted to take a group of guests round the various public rooms of the Club. It was a most congenial and encouraging conclusion to the Master’s year. Colin Drummond OBE DL Master Water Conservator

The Water Conservators’ Water Conservation Trust supports MSc Water and Environmental Management students at Queen Mary, University of London (QMUL).  Some of the students have contributed to the research behind a fascinating exhibition in Winns Gallery, Lloyd Park, Walthamstow, led by a team from the School of Geography at QMUL.  It features research with local stakeholders, photographs submitted by local residents on what connects them with nature in the vicinity, and maps of habitat connectivity for urban wildlife now and in the future.  Particularly impressive is the arch full of messages for the future written by children from a local school, linking a bed of wild flowers with a bed of drought resistant plants. The picture shows Freeman Dr Gemma Harvey and Dr Alex Henshaw from QMUL with the Thames Warden Martin Bigg.

On 7 June the Mistress attended a Livery Consorts event organized by the Butchers’ Company and attended by the Lady Mayoress.  A group of around 30 consorts gathered in Smithfield Market at the crack of dawn and were given a talk on the history of the market followed by a tour.    Smithfield is one of the largest wholesale meat markets in Europe with activity dating back to the mediaeval period.   It was a livestock market until the early c19th but now acts as a hub for meat preparation and sales, mainly to the catering, hotel and restaurant trades.   The current magnificent buildings date from the 1860s.   They will close in about 4 years’ time when the market moves out to Dagenham but are to be refurbished to house the new Museum of London. This was a fascinating insight into the meat trade and as always a thoroughly congenial social event.   The only downside was the need to rise at 4.00 am but the consorts were revived by a glass of champagne and delicious breakfast at Butchers