Masters at Ironbridge

During the weekend of 5th -7th June my Mistress and I joined the Masters of most of the Livery Companies at Ironbridge in Shropshire.  In truth I was somewhat sceptical about how much fun it would be to trail around a series of industrial museums.  In the event it was fascinating and the organisation was superb.  Each group was under the charge of an expert guide by that I mean a senior member of the Ironbridge staff with at least a doctorate to their name.  They were great enthusiasts and arranged a programme that moved at the right pace to keep us entertained yet wishing to return to see more.  Interspersed with all this visiting were a series of lunches and dinners that allowed you meet other Masters and their consorts.  I also met the Lord Mayor who said how much she had enjoyed Liveryman Sue Bonham’s fashion show in the Old Bailey; nice to be able to reinforce the work being done by Broderers in connection with our art.  We also established the past masters of 2014 association under soubriquet of ‘1 4 All’ (one for all).  Having failed to read the last page of the Ironbridge instructions I was not able to make the most of this opportunity to promote the Livery other than volunteering to be a member.  In my defence, however, if one already has a full business programme as well as a year of being Master to look forward to it doesn’t give one much time to organise another series events.