Hi,
I can't believe the summer has all but gone. I hope you have all had a chance to get away, relax and enjoy yourselves.
August for me has been a quiet month from a livery perspective. The City shuts down virtually. We did have a very good visit to Dowgate Fire Station and an excellent lunch in the Banker pub afterwards. Thanks to Nigel Mattravers for making the arrangements. It is disappointing that we had to decide not to go ahead with the visit to Crofton Steam engines today as there was little support.
September is a very busy month for engagements. The Thames Warden and I attended the Modern Livery Companies dinner on Monday at Skinners Hall. It is always good to meet up with other Masters and senior wardens from the Modern companies. One of the speakers was Charles Cowling, Past Master of the Actuaries who has completed 10 back-to-back marathons. Yes, that's a marathon a day over 10 days in the Lake District. What a feat and he raised something over £70k I think for his charity. Don't worry I won't be attempting anything as gruelling as that. I'll restrict my efforts to charity walks!
On Thursday I went to the annual Fuellers Lecture at Drapers Hall to hear a talk by David Gray, the chairman of the gas and electricity markets authority.
Yesterday, Christine and I got up at 5am to go to the "Big Breakfast" send off for the magical Taxi Tour again this year hosted by the Hackney Carriage drivers. The Water Conservators sponsored a cab from the collection at my Installation lunch. More than 90 cabs set off in convoy from Canary Wharf, with police, ambulances and the AA in support. This is always a great event where sick children are treated to a weekend at Disneyland Paris. It's tremendous (and somewhat emotional) to see all the children excited as they set off on their adventure in the taxis.
In the evening we were hosted by the AIDU at the RAF Northolt annual reception. With other guests we were treated to a Spitfire flypast, a ceremonial drill display by the Queen's Colour Squadron and music from the Central Band of the Royal Air Force. The evening was warm with a clear sky which made the whole event very enjoyable.
Coming up in the next week I have the livery hall walk with other Masters and wardens, our Globe Theatre visit, the fisheries experiment competition and our New River charity walk next Sunday.
A busy time as I said but very enjoyable none the less.
Regards
Roger
