2004-2005 Roger Earthrowl

President Alderman John Stuttard
Vice President Alderman Sir David Howard

Master Roger Earthwrol
Upper Warden Mark Gubbins
Lower Warden Ann Benson

Hon Treasurer Christopher Otter
Asst Hon Sec  Ms Wendy Kiernan
Hon Auditor Mr Michael Brecknall
Hon Chaplain The Rev Michael Beynon

The Master and 29 Members were in attendance.

Long discussion regarding the Red Cross and its Market, given various press releases regarding a decision not to allow Christmas Products or symbols in their shops. After investigation agreed to continue to support. Media story was inaccurate.

After the retirement of William Archibald as a Lime Street CC it was agreed to offer him the position of Hon Vice President, which he accepted with pleasure

Donations for the coming year as follows were proposed and agreed.
St Peter upon Cornhill £350
Lord Mayor’s Appeal £500
Sheriffs and Recorders Fund £100
Master’s Charity – Guide dogs for the Blind £50

After the AGM 54 Members and their guests enjoyed Dinner in the Captains Room at Lloyd’s. The Menu comprised;

Scottish Oaked Smoked Salmon
Roast Rib of Beef
Sticky Pecan Tart

The reply on behalf of the guests was given by Lieutenant-Commander J.L.Peer MBE. (RN). “Larry” was in the Royal Navy for 37 years, 17 as a rating and 20 as a Commissioned Officer. When he retired he joined Freemasons’ Hall as their CFO for 7 years. His talk related how an East Anglian farm boy became an “anchor faced old salt”. (Apparently many good stories).He was also worked as Treasurer of ITCH (IT help for the disabled) and Chair of Portsmouth District CAB.

As seems almost a tradition – the Master elect attends this Annual Event at one of our “neighbouring” Ward Clubs. This was held in the presence  of the Lord Mayor,  Alderman Robert Finch.

32 New and other members attended this convivial evening in the upstairs bar of the Lamb in Leadenhall Market.

A tour of this fascinating house (17, Gough Square, EC4),

Made by 31 members and guests. It was a personal tour where they learned about the history of the house, (Dr Johnson lived there from 1748 to 1759). In this time he published the first comprehensive English Dictionary (1755). Some of his friends who visited regularly including Joshua Reynolds and David Garrick.

The evening ended with a glass of wine – with some of the group going on for an informal supper afterwards.

Ticket £18 per person.

18 “individuals” met with the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress at the Mansion house, where they were arrested by the City of London police!. (some in their “Victorian No 1” uniforms)

They were taken to the Tower of London

and only released on payment of £1,000 to the Red Cross.

Whilst waiting for the “fine” to be paid they had to endure an excellent dinner with some very good wines 🙁

This had been proceeded by some “Bread and Water” (Canapes and Pol Roger Champagne). The Master donated £250 and friends and the Ward Club donated the rest and more, Roger raised £1,500

The Red Cross – a worthy cause to “suffer” for.

Conducted by Rev John Hayton (Member of our Ward Club) – our Hon Chaplain was unable to take the Service.
Hymn 393 Lead us heavenly Father Lead us
Lesson 2 Timothy Ch3 V 10 – 17 The President
Lesson Mark Ch12 v 28 – 34 – The Master
Hymn Guide me O thou great Redeemer
Hymn Jerusalem

This was followed by our Civic Lunch

Members and their guests (125) joined the Lord Mayor (Alderman Robert Finch), who had just returned from a 16 day trip to Norway, Finland and the Baltics, The Lady Mayoress, The Lay Sheriff and his consort (Mr and Mrs Geoffrey Bond) on this wonderful occasion.

The Menu was;
Timbale of Mediterranean Prawns – sun dried Tomatoes and Crème Fraîche – Macon Blanc Villages – Tourterelles 2002
Chicken Breast with spinach and nutmeg stuffing – Cote du Rhone – Domaine Grand Devers 2001
Bitter Chocolate and Whiskey Tart
Dows LBV 1997 or Salas VSOP Armagnac

Our guest speaker was Sydney Hill a long standing friend of the Club, albeit his own allegiance continued to be with Langbourn Ward Club where he was a Past Master, also Hon Secretary for many years..
Sydney spent 44 years working in the Insurance industry starting with the Phoenix in Plymouth and ending his Insurance career as General Manager of IOI.

Toast Master – Bernard Sullivan M.B.E.
Caterers Chester Boyd (Stanley Liu)

This was one of the years when we tried to connect closer with Lloyd’s – a very positive invitation was sent to the Lloyd’s CEO – Nick Prettejohn by Upper Warden Mark Gubbins. Regrettably it seemed to have little effect.

The Master and his lady,  Sue,  enjoyed a very convivial lunch, a good start for a Committee Meeting in the evening.

Master and 14 Members in attendance.
Discussions on position and number of Ward Notice Boards.

Reported on the proposal of the Lord Mayor to curtail Lunches and Dinners with Ward Clubs and Livery. Advised that the General Purposes Committee of Aldermen had decided not to proceed with this proposal.

33 Members and guests enjoyed a very interesting and informative walk and talk organised by “London Guides” . The Walk started at St Paul’s Underground Station, visiting back streets and quiet squares around the Blackfriars area before crossing the river on the Millennium Bridge passing the Globe on the other side of the river ending up in Borough Market where supper was served in the Market. Porter Steak Pie followed by Ice Cream.

Future Master, Mark Gubbins led this Wine tasting to much acclaim.
(26 Members and Guests attended).

LSWC Wine Tasting Sheet 2004 C

29 Members and Guests visited the Mansion House – the only purpose built home for the Lord Mayor of the City of London. (Planned immediately after the Great Fire (1666) but the first stones were not laid until 1739. The group visited all the main rooms including the Egyptian Hall, and a special treat the Vaults.

Future Master Stanley Liu very kindly sponsored tea in the Esquire’s Mess for all those attending.

Having been through a “dip” in attendance, numbers were strong this year. 79 Members and guests plus of course the Choir of St Mary the Virgin from North Shoebury, led by Michael Crabb, took part in this lovely annual event.
The Service was led by the Ward Club’s Hon Chaplain – Rev Nigel Beynon

Introit – Choir – Break forth O beautious heavenly light – J.S.Bach
Carol    Silent Night
Choir    The Sheperds’ Fairwell – Berlioz
Carol    While shepherds watched their flock by night
First Lesson ISAIAH 9 V 2-7 – Lower Warden
Carol    Oh little town of Bethlehem
Second Lesson Matthew 1 v 18-25 – Upper Warden
Choir    In the Bleak Mid-Winter – Dr Harold Darke
Solo      O Holy Night (Adam) – sung by Roy Phillips
Third Lesson Matthew 2 v 1-12 – Master
Carol    Good King Wencelas
Fourth Lesson 1 Timothy 1 v 12-17
Choir The Sussex Carol
Carol Oh come all ye faithful.

Many members donated gifts for children up to 5 years old that were specifically for The Good Shepherd Mission in the East End of London. A very touching letter was received from the afterwards expressing their heartfelt appreciation.

Ward Notice Boards
1 in place – Leadenhall Market – out of date already. no news on a 2nd one . Never happened.

Red Cross Fair. Long discussion about involvement of the Ward Club. We had had the Wheel of Fortune for many fairs, with most effort coming from Ronnie Garton and his family. At the last fair a great deal of effort for a diminishing return. Various people were not going to be available for the next fair. The Master elect suggested holding a Fund Raising Dinner, the suggestion was supported very positively

Noted that Mr Michael Beale had stood down from Common Council. It was proposed that he be appointed Hon Vice President of the Club – this was supported unanimously. He and his wife were to be invited to the Club’s AGM and Dinner, as Club Guests to be presented with this award.