Hugh Toler's blog

On 31st July, 25 Broderers and their guests assembled at St Paul’s to see and hear about the World War I altar frontal.  This was embroidered by wounded soldiers from across the empire at the end of the War.  It remained in use in the Cathedral until 1942 when it was bombed.  The frontal was damaged and placed in store.  On being removed from storage for display on 100th anniversary of the World War I it was decided that a major restoration project was required.  One of the principal restorers is our own Isobel Lattimore who gave a fascinating talk on the frontal. Afterwards she took the party up in two groups to see Triforium where the work had been undertaken.  The other group was taken to the Crypt where the lies the tomb of Flag Lt Harold Charrington and other members of the Palmer Expedition who met a grisly death in the Sinai in 1882.  Unusually the tomb contains the remains of a Jew and a Muslim who formed part of the expedition.  Flag Lt Charrington is an ancestor to the late Past Master Gerald Charrington. After these visits the party attended Evensong, which featured the spirited singing of the Georgia State Boys Choir before going on to a jolly supper nearby.  More information on St Paul’s may be found here: www.stpauls.co.uk/ww1

As a result of our discussions with the Rev Alan McCormack, vicar of St Vidast-alias-Foster where the Associated Companies Carol Service is to be held, my Mistress and I received an invitation to attend the Papal Nuncio's Summer Reception.  Alan is an Anglican yet has close ties with other churches.  The event took place on 26th July at Papal Nunciature on Wimbledon Common.  The Papal Nuncio is the charming Archbishop Antonio Mennini and is the Vatican’s Ambassador to the Court of St James’.  The Nunciature is a splendidly Italianate mini palace with formal if slightly ‘relaxed’ garden behind.  Among the guests were a number of friends from the Livery Companies including Brigadier David Santa-Olalla, Clerk to the Leathersellers.  We also met the Librarian to St Paul’s Cathedral, Joe Wisdom who is married to the Administrator of St Vidast and was very knowledgeable about the WW1 Altar Frontal. 

On 23rd July the International Wine & Spirit Competition 2014, took place at Vintners’ Hall.  Being a veteran of this exceptional event I arrived early and battled my way to the Gin & Tonic bar that was set in a back room.  Fortunately I had as a guide of this year’s winners from the newspaper so was able to the sample a delicious glass of Bodensee See-gin with Fever Tree tonic.  We then repaired to the main Hall where over 200 bottles were set out for tasting.  On a previous occasion I concentrated on the 21 year olds (whiskies).  This time I tried a more exotic route guided by the winners, which was very satisfactory.  The only disappointment was being ‘trapped’ near the Japanese Shochu section, not a favourite tipple, during one of the speeches, which probably slowed my intake and did me a lot of good as a result.  Taking the weight of my feet near the cheese table I found myself in the pleasant company of Bob Morrow, the Master Mason and Linda Smith, Master of the Framework Knitters.  Bob had started even earlier than I having attended a Rum Master Class.  Apparently there is a great deal of variety in the many types of rum available and in Bob’s opinion those from the French Caribbean were pretty insipid although judging by his condition I couldn’t wholly agree.

In the morning of 17th July, I attended the Imperial Society of Knights’ Bachelor service in St Faith’s Chapel in the Crypt of St Paul’s Cathedral.  It was an occasion of great pomp and circumstance most which appears to have been devised in the last 50 years.  It was nonetheless a fine spectacle of red and gold for all that.  Immediately afterwards I drove up to visit 1st Battalion the Royal Irish our affiliated Regiment who are based in Shropshire.  I was their guest at the Inter Company Boxing Finals where they were competing for the Fox Cup.  This event concluded what had been four days of inter company athletics and other sports.  After a drink in the Sergeants’ Mess I was escorted by a most elegant and charming lady Assistant Adjutant to the event.  All the Officers and Sergeants were in Mess Kit, while the Rangers were in their No 2 Dress.  The Pipes & Drums escorted each boxer to the ring with a rousing tune.  The whole event was presided over by RSM with a magnificent row of medals.  Each bout was fought with tremendous vigour and was supported by the Companies of those competing with great roars and chants. Afterwards we repaired to the Officers’ Mess we were joined by the Sergeants and contestants for a few drinks and sandwiches.  Once again my charming escort ensured I was never without a full glass or good conversation.

16th July, marked the 350th Anniversary of issuing the Royal Charter to the Needlemakers and the Glass Sellers.  The event started with Choral Evensong at St Paul’s Cathedral, which was uplifting.  It also gave me a chance to meet the Virgers and discuss our visit to see the World War I altar frontal later in the month.  Afterwards we enjoyed Beating Retreat in Guildhall Yard performed by the Band Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment.  The band comprising of only 20 musicians, all of whom are Reservists, produced a comprehensive programme featuring many old favourites and was led by a magnificent Bandmaster with an imposing figure and Victorian appearance due to the whiskers.  I had a long chat with the Master Water Conservator and learnt a great deal about their trade both at home and abroad.  Following the Last Post we repaired to Guildhall for a reception where Past Master Colin Hart and I spent much of the time chatting up the Mayor(ess) of Spelthorne who was a spirited lady who was clearly enjoying her punishing civic programme.

On 10th July, I attended the Charity Trust meeting took place at the offices of Bircham, Dyson Bell.  You will be pleased to hear that the Trust will once again be able to support charities both old and new this year.

On the 7th July, I was in the dock of the Old Bailey along with several other Masters to attend the AGM of the Sheriffs’ and Recorder’s Fund.  This charity endeavours to assist offenders who on release from prison are in need of assistance for their rehabilitation.  As we sat amongst the papers of a trial featuring a grisly murder, a very brave lady gave a moving story of how she found herself in dire straits on finishing her sentence and was set on the right course by the fund.  It is very sad to see someone go off the rails entirely through their own inabilities to manage their lives yet reassuring when they can be helped in a small way to start again in right direction.  Afterwards we enjoyed a reception where we caught up with news of our fellow Masters.

City Gateway, very kindly invited me to attend a Master Curry Class on 3rd July at their new premises in Mastmaker Court.  This evening took the form of short reception followed by an excellent curry that had been prepared under the direction of Tommy Miah, the internationally renowned curry chef from Bangladesh.  He gave a remarkable demonstration while we were eating of how our meal had been prepared.  The trainees and staff of City Gateway acted as chefs and waiters under the direction of a young man Danny O’Brien, who was making good after a difficult start in life; a story he related with great courage and modesty to guests and benefactors present.  On the strength of the professionalism shown during the evening I made a commitment to City Gateway that we would seek their support for the reception to follow the Associated Companies Carol Service at St Vedast alias Foster on 2nd December.

On 1st July I attended an excellent dinner as a guest of the Worshipful Company of Innholders’ at their Hall.  The menu was outstanding; they eat well.  Being seated in a group of Clerks with military backgrounds ensured there was a great deal of reminiscing in the conversation.  It was also interesting to hear how other Livery Companies are faring especially where they lack an obvious connection to a contemporary art or craft.

On Armed Forces Day, 28th June my Mistress and I attended a Drumhead Service at the Royal Hospital Chelsea in the presence of Her Majesty the Queen to commemorate the service given by London Reservists.  As the troops formed up the heavens opened and it was umbrellas up; mine dripped into the lap of Master Builders’ Merchant seated behind me.  Others were less well prepared; the Master Marketor and his Mistress had to scurry into the Cloisters.  Fortunately the skies cleared as the Royal Party arrived and we were able to appreciate poignancy and solemnity of the occasion.  Afterwards there was a reception for those who attended and participants.  The President of the Reserve Forces and Cadets Association, Sir David Brewer CMG JP, made a short speech and we were able to meet a number of Livery and military friends.  Fortunately the refreshments were plentiful because as the heavens opened again we were ‘trapped’ in the marquee until a break in the weather thus the reception went on longer than anticipated and were in a genial frame of mind for the journey home - by train.