Master Water Conservator

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!

Past Master Simon Catford and Consort Wendy represented our Company at the above service on 13 May. The invitation came from our good friend and honorary member Rt Rev Graeme Knowles who is now Dean of Chichester. Simon has a particularly close relationship with the Cathedral which his parents, Sir Robin and Lady Catford, attended and where they are buried. Simon and Wendy joined representatives from around 40 other Livery Companies, mainly Past Masters although the current Master Joiner and Ceiler was in attendance, plus members of the general public. It was essentially a Sung Evensong but particular reference was made to the charitable support the City Livery Companies provide to such places as Chichester (who have the usual fund raising campaigns in place) and to express their thanks. Past Alderman David Grey was also there as were several familiar faces. The service was followed by a short drinks reception. It was a pleasant way to spend a Saturday evening.

On 25 May the Master’s Consort attended a most enjoyable craft event at the Guildhall Club, organized by the Consort to the Master Needlemaker.  A group of about 30 Consorts was expertly introduced to the Japanese art of Sashiko embroidery, a beautiful craft originally designed to reinforce worn materials but now used for ornament.  The result was a very attractive pincushion (see photo!) which now sits proudly on a shelf at home. The crafting was preceded by champagne (possibly accounting for some wobbly stitches) and followed by more champagne and a delicious tea.  A thoroughly enjoyable social afternoon.

  Along with the Masters of many City Livery Companies, the Thames Warden, Martin Bigg, represented the Company of Water Conservators at the fourth Raleigh lecture in the impressive surroundings of the Drapers’ Livery Hall.   (The first Hall was bought from Henry VIII by Thomas Cromwell who subsequently forfeited it to the King.) We were joined by Year 12 students from a wide range of state and private schools in and around London, many of which are supported by Livery Companies. Before the lecture there was a workshop on the theme “Is Enterprise Sustainable? Impacts and Externalities in Business Today”.   Participants discussed sustainable cities, social enterprises, nature-related financial disclosures, and sustainable development in the Niger Delta, which generated a wide range of views. The lecture was given by Timothy Bovy, an ESG Consultant who talked about balancing economic growth, environmental care, and social well-being, awareness of scarcity of resources...