TheWorshipfulCompany ofBlacksmiths

Newsletter36th IssueJuly 2010

Editor:Nigel Whitehead

Published by: The Publicity and Public Relations Committee,Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths, 48 Upwood Road, Lee, London SE12 8AN

www.blacksmithscompany.org.uk

On Other PagesReflections on a Year in Office 2

The Company’s New History 3

The Annual Banquet 4

Doll’s House Doorstop 4

United Guilds’ Service 5

Dedication of City of London 111 5

Election of Sheriffs 6

The Gum Tree Memorial Project 6

Four New Court Assistants 6

Prime Warden’s Weekend 7

Change of Title of Warden 8

Nolan Peter William Moore 8

Market Place for Blacksmiths 8

Dover Castle – The Great Tower 9

Mastercrafts with Monty Don 10

Surrey Docks Farm Forge 10

A Floating Forge 11

Ironwork Judging Seminar 12

New Entrants Training Scheme 12

Profile – Terrence Clark FWCB 13

Royal Bath and West Show 13

South of England Show 14

Tribute to I K Brunel 14

Obituaries 15

New Liverymen 15

Diary of Events 16

Show Dates 2010/2011 16

Naval Liaison Officer 16

A Golden Celebration 16

2

Clerk: It does not seem that long agowe were preparing for your ElectionCourt and working on plans for youryear as Prime Warden.

One year: fifty-two weeks: 365 days– oh how quickly they go!

I have been privileged and proudto hold four significant positionsin the City of London for one yeareach. In every case that year wasthe culmination of planning andanticipation, you might almost call itapprenticeship, before taking office.

Clerk: How did it all start?I was apprenticed to the Merchant

Taylors’ Company in 1954 andbecame Master in 2002 - quite a longtime in which to learn about theCompany, its history and importancein the City before helping to guide

its affairs as a Warden and, later, asMaster. It taught me about thefriendships (and happy rivalries) thatexist between so many LiveryCompanies as one met them andparticipated in so many great Cityevents, both religious and secular.

Clerk: I remember you inviting me tolunch with the Judges at The Old Baileywhen you were a Sheriff.

I served as a Sheriff in 2002/3and that year, based at the OldBailey, combined the pleasure of

getting to know the Judges as wellas wonderful opportunities toaccompany the Lord Mayor onseveral overseas visits. There was“apprenticeship” before becoming aSheriff in demonstrating commitmentto the City in order to secure thesupport of fellow Aldermen. I waselected to the Court of CommonCouncil for the Ward of Bassishawin 1992 and as Alderman for theWard in 1996. Those roles formed thefoundation of so much of my CivicCity life. I retired as an Alderman inApril this year.

Clerk:What about the Mayoralty?My year as Lord Mayor in

2005/2006 was the summit of my Citylife. The planning and anticipation ofthose fifty-two weeks started longbefore the agreement of theLiverymen of the City gathered atCommon Hall to approve my name togo forward to the Court of Aldermen.Then throughout the year long-termplans were developed for theoverseas visits, for the reception ofinternational leaders and the moreshort-term anticipation of ‘domestic’visits, and presentations.

The year flew by and our bulgingscrapbook immediately evokes somany happy memories not least ofwhich was the splendid sight of theBlacksmiths’ Float in my Show. Justhow did you convince the Cityauthorities that we could take realfire through the City? The fear of1666 still stalks.

Now I am coming to the end of my365 days as your Prime Warden.

Clerk:Was it an anti-climax?Not in the least! I enjoyed making,

or renewing, so many friendships, themeetings with fellow Prime Wardensand Masters and just being part of thewonderful City of London.

Each of the four offices I haveoccupied for a year has emphasisedto me the uniqueness of the City ofLondon with its Livery Companies,old and new, and their commitmentto their trades or crafts, theirdetermination to help others though

charitable work and, most of all, thefriendship of people involved in acommon purpose.

I have been truly privileged in theopportunities afforded to me. I hopeI have been able to contribute in eachof those special years and that I maydo so for a long time to come.

Clerk: How would you sum it all up?I thank the City in its entirety

for these offices and, particularly,the Liverymen of The WorshipfulCompany of Blacksmiths who have‘adopted’ me, supported Tessa andme and enabled me to learn about(and practise at the anvil) the magicalcraft of the blacksmiths.

The Prime Warden and The Father, Peter Rayner,in relaxed mood

Reflections on a Year in OfficeDavid Brewer in conversation with the Clerk

The EpiphanyCourt andLunch

David and Tessa at the Banquet

Pho

togr

aphy

by

M.O

’Sul

livan

The Prime Warden cutting the Epiphany cake

Pho

togr

aphy

by

M.O

’Sul

livan

3

The year ending 31 July 2008 was a wonderful year forboth Judy, my wife, and me as we were so fortunateto be your Prime Warden and his Lady. We enjoyed

the year so much that we felt we wanted to give somethingback to the Company as a lasting memento of the trust thatall of you, my fellow Liverymen, showed in allowing us torepresent you at so many occasions both in the City and allover the country.

The past has always fascinated me and the reality ofour own Company history was brought home to us at the2007 Awards Lunch when our personal guests were twofriends from Canada. Their country was only formed in1867 and yet here, in front of their eyes, was 700 years ofreal history. It was then that we thought it might bepossible to arrange for a fresh publication of our historyto mark our special year.

We are very fortunate to count Professor David Hey andPat, his wife, as close friends. David is Emeritus Professorof Local and Family History at the University of Sheffieldand currently also President of the British Association forLocal History. As he is a professional historian and a wellrespected author on very many aspects of history, Iapproached him to see if he would be willing to researchand write a history of our Company. I am delighted to saythat he accepted the challenge immediately.

I took the proposal back to my fellow Wardens and theywere very excited about the project and so we pushedahead. David and I first visited Guildhall to start theresearch in the autumn of 2008 and we were both reallytaken with the quality of the Blacksmiths' records. Davidwas particularly impressed with our apprentice records asthey are some of the best and most complete of all theLivery Companies.

However, almost immediately he hit a snag. We hadalways stated that our Company was 'Incorporated byPrescription' in 1325. He was able to confirm that from ahistorical and legal point of view it is not possible to be'Incorporated by Prescription' and, worse than that, hecould find no proof of the 1325 date. That seemed to be afigment of the imagination of the Wardens in the mid1800s! Thank goodness he was able to find a case in theMayor's Court in March 1299 which really proved that theBlacksmiths were associating together. So we are actually alittle older than we thought!

You can imagine that this caused some consternationamong the present Wardens as what could we really sayabout ourselves now? David Brewer and I had to visit theCity Remembrancer, Paul Double, at Guildhall and he andhis legal team were very helpful in finding a solution to thisknotty problem. – We are now 'First recorded in 1299'.

You will see an image of the book on the front cover ofthis Newsletter and I hope you will agree that it is verystriking. I am delighted with how the book has turned outand I hope you will all enjoy reading it. The illustrations ofsome of the Company's treasures are, in my view, very fine.If you haven't got a copy yet, I know that our Clerk wouldbe only too happy to arrange for you to purchase one!

Finally, I must say thank you to a few key people. Firstly

to David Hey whose professionalism in producing such awell researched and readable text can only be admired;secondly to David Brewer and the current Wardens whoseenthusiasm for the project never waivered; thirdly to ourClerk who co-ordinated many of the pictures, madeavailable many Company records and was always thereto assist, and finally to the Father, Peter Rayner, andJacqueline Minchinton, our Archivist, who gave their timeso freely to help bring various elements together.

Photography by M. O’Sullivan

The Company’s New History John McCuin

Professor David Hey with Prime Warden Sir David Brewer and John McCuin

Editor’s Note: The History was formally launched atthe Banquet on 16th April when the Lord Mayor andSheriffs were each presented with an inscribed copysigned by David Brewer, David Hey and John McCuin.Copies priced at £20 plus £2.50 p&p are available fromThe Clerk.

4

As guests of your able Assistant,Mr Nigel Whitehead, and his elegantwife, Marion, my wife and I enteredthe Mansion House with a pleasurerenewed on every occasion. Thediscreet, stable simplicity of theelegant Dutch paintings, too easilypassedbyon the stairs, are signposts tothe glory above, the grand ceremonyof Reception and finding one isled into a gathering of happiness,welcome and celebration. The City ofLondon indeed does great service inhonouring the Liveries which bringtogether folk dedicated to servingothers. Being introduced to yourPrime Warden, Sir David Brewer wasa double honour as we meet in hisother role as a member of The GarrickClub. And, my word, does he not cuta fine dash in his robes and courtlymanner! He also proved to be anexcellent singer as he delivered solo averse of The Blacksmith’s Song, totremendous applause.

Looking aloft to the astounding roofabove the Banquet my mind dwelt onthe first and second demands of yourLivery in the 18th Century, translatingthem into 21st century verbiage;Quality Assurance and QualityManagement. Both remain the basestandards of proper business conduct.I first met them at my own firstmeeting with the “black metal” on afreezing day in 1947’s bleak winterwhen summarily told, as a Universitystudent and Apprentice, that to aspireto becoming a crew member ofFlight Test at De Havilland I had, forstarters, to complete exercise 1. Thiswas to take a piece of very cold steelin a hanger with no heating, finish iton all six surfaces to a thousandth ofan inch by hand, cut a slot in it, takeanother piece, shape it to fit all ways,take a third piece and shape it as a keyto both parts. Inspection approvalrequired all three parts to fit all sixteenways. Three weeks later my respectfor those who work the metal wasfounded and remains.

What I did learn in serving my timewas not only that respect, but thewonder of the craftsmanship of manand to applaud it; the ringing,magical,echoing clang of hard hammers onglowing iron, the fierce, face smartingovens of a cauldron being lovinglypoured, the pride of shaping tocontract, the assurance of quality, thenon-negotiable hall-marks of a manwho is a Blacksmith.

Whether, or not you have toiled

in the blunt heat of a forge, yousprung, as has every Livery, fromfolk demanding to be part of thequality, reliability and good businesspractice which is the constant, hardearned pride of our City of London.At your Banquet you proved worthyof your ideals.

Your Prime Warden in 1828, MosesKipling, wrote the stirring words of“The Blacksmith’s Song”. A hundredyears on his descendent, RudyardKipling, penned words which were aneerie portent for our lives today:“England’s on the anvil - hear thehammers ring - clanging from theSevern to the Tyne! England’s beinghammered, hammered, hammeredinto line!”

My wife and I thank you for yourhospitality, your splendid companyand our opportunity to witness yourdedication to your livery.

The Annual Banquet Sir Kenneth Warren

Photography by M. O’Sullivan

“Blacksmith” has been recorded as a word first used in the English language in the 15thcentury. But because the production and trade in “the black metal” was founded in the IronAge, could there be a City Livery Company with a greater claim of primacy amongst all?

“Now, just listen to me Prime Warden”– Geoffrey Fairfax, the Beadle and the Prime Warden

Liveryman Zena Sanders, moments before leadingthe Principal Guests into the Banquet, sharing a joke

with our photograher Michael OʼSullivan

Whilst serving as Lord Mayor, Sir David Brewerconsidered it inelegant having to scrabble around

using wooden wedges to hold openthe massive doors of the Lord Mayor’soffice in Mansion House. To overcomethe problem two blacksmiths wereinvited to produce designs fordoorstops. The design by GoldMedallist Bob Hobbs was chosen andthe finished doorstops were displayedat the Company’s Banquet in 2007.

At this year’s Banquet a miniaturepaperweight, in the style of the

doorstops and made by Bob Hobbs, was presented to TheLord Mayor, Alderman Nick Anstee by the Prime Warden,

Sir David Brewer.We were very grateful that the Lord

Mayor, Lady Mayoress and Sheriffs,with their escorts, were able to attendthe Banquet. We hope that thepaperweight will remind the LordMayor of an enjoyable and successfulyear in office and his evening withthe Blacksmiths Company as hispapers remain firmly anchored to hisdesk.

Dolls’ House Doorstop Nigel Whitehead

Little & Large

5

United Guilds Service Nigel Whitehead

Members of the Companyjoined Masters, PrimeWardens, the Upper Bailiff

and Liverymen from the City LiveryCompanies for the 68th Service ofthe United Guilds of the City ofLondon at St Paul’s Cathedral on19th March.

To be in the Cathedral for theservice is a wonderful experience.Immediately upon entering Wren’smasterpiece, one’s spirit soared to thesound of a Bach Prelude & Fuguebeing played on the organ followedby pieces by Schumann andMendelssohn. As the final notes ofMendelssohn’s Sonata No. 3 fadedaway there was a brief pause beforea trumpet fanfare, delivered bytrumpeters from theBandof theBluesand Royals, heralded the beginning

of the Procession, which includedrepresentatives of the City LiveryCompanies and Guilds, the CityMarshall, the Chief Commoner, HighOfficers, the Sheriffs, the Court ofAldermen, the Dean and Chapter, theBishop of London, the Serjeant-at-Arms, the Sword Bearer and theRight Honourable the Lord Mayor,all resplendent in their robes of office.A thought provoking and amusingsermon was delivered by the RightReverend Graham James, Bishop ofNorwich. Following the Service,Members of the Company joinedLiverymen from other Companies forlunch at Stationers’ Hall.

The United Guilds’ Service wasfirst held on Ladyday, Thursday 25thMarch 1943, following a meeting atGoldsmiths’ Hall on February 1st

1943 of the Masters and PrimeWardens of the Great TwelveCompanies. The idea behind theservice, to be held in St Paul’sCathedral for the Livery Companiesand Guilds of the City of London,was to help lift the spirits of theCity following the Blitz duringthe Second World War. The RightHonourable The Lord Mayor ofLondon was present with theSheriffs and Court Aldermen. TheLordBishopof London,DrGFFisher,preached the sermon. This appearsto be the first occasion on whichall the Livery Companies andGuilds of the City combined to holda religious service, since when it

has become an annual event. Nextyear’s service will be held on Friday,1st April.

The City of London’s link with the RNLI was onceagain endorsed at the naming ceremony anddedication of City of London 111, the new £2.7

million, Tamar class, all weather lifeboat at Sennen Cove,Cornwall, in April.

Ann and I had accepted aninvitation to attend the ceremonyheld on the beach on a typicalEnglish Spring day with a coolbreeze. We were rewarded withthe smiling faces of othersattending including David Brewer,our Prime Warden, and Tessa hiswife. Representatives from theRNLI City of London Committeeand others were there to partici-pate in a ceremony dedicating aboat that would undoubtedly besaving lives, as earlier SennenCove lifeboats had done.

The new boat standing somethirty feet above on the newslipway, was named by CatherineVlasto, wife of Tony, Chairmanof the RNLI City of LondonCommittee. After the blessing nota dry eye was to be seen.

Along with many others we can

be proud at having subscribed, no matter how little,towards the final cost of the new boat. Without suchsubscriptions there would not have been a modern, state ofthe art rescue boat to launch.

The dedication of RNLI City of London 111Clifford Champion

City of London 111

6

St Nicholas Cole Abbey

Members of the Companyjoined Liverymen fromother Companies at Guild-

hall on 24th June for the Election ofSheriffs and Other Officers. Theproceedings commence with theMasters, Prime Wardens and UpperBailiff of the several LiveryCompanies (Senior Companies last)wearing their gowns and insignia,walking in procession from the OldLibrary to the Great Hall. Then theLord Mayor, preceded by the CityOfficers, The Mace and The Sword,processes through the Great Hall totake his seat.

Common Hall was opened bythe Common Cryer calling membersof the Livery and Companies ofthe City to “draw near and giveyour attendance”. Following thisproclamation specific procedureswere followed before the Recorder,having first made his obeisance tothe Lord Mayor then to the Livery,informed the Livery of the occasionof their meeting.

On this occasion, as there were

only two candidates for theShrievalty, the Lord Mayor, such ofthe Aldermen who have served theOffice of Sheriff and the Officersremained in the Great Hall and theprocedure for election began. Thenames of the two candidates for theShrievalty, Alderman Fiona WoolfCBE and Citizen and WheelwrightRichard Sermon MBE, were thensubmitted to Common Hall forapproval determined by a show ofhands. Having been elected to theShrievalty both parties addressedCommon Hall and declared theirconsent to take upon themselvestheir Office.

Following dissolution of CommonHall by the Common Cryer the LordMayor, Aldermen, Sheriffs andOfficers processed from the GreatHall in reverse order.

After witnessing this wonderfuland ancient pageant, Members ofthe Company and other Liverymenmade their way to Butchers’ Hallto enjoy a splendid lunch laid onfor the occasion.

Common Hall for the Electionof Sheriffs and Other OfficersNigel Whitehead

By the 12th June the AustralianBlacksmiths’ Association hadcounted over 3000 leaves for the

Tree to be constructed as a Memorialto those who lost their lives in thehorrifying bush fires of 2009.Members of the Association say theyare almost at the final count with justa few more leaves to come. Theleaves, which have been forged byBlacksmiths from over twentycountries across the world includingAustralia, will all be photographed.

The next stage of the project willbe the making of the trunk and thelarger branches for which it is hopedsponsorship will be found. Recently,over twenty Australian blacksmithsgathered at The Branch ForgingWorkshop to make the manybranches and twigs for the tree.

On completion the tree will beinstalled in a public place in one of thetownships affected by the bush fires.

To follow the progress of this amaz-ing project there is now a websitewww.treepro jec t .abavic .org .aupromoted by The AustralianBlacksmiths’ Association.

It is rare that there are as many as two Court vacanciesat any one time but in Autumn 2009 we had the veryunusual position that there were four places to be

filled. The Company is very fortunate that strongcandidates were nominated. Each made a presentation atthe Michaelmas Court and then had to wait until theresult of the secret ballot of Court Members was known.

All were successful and swore their Oath and wereformally admitted at the Epiphany Court meeting inJanuary this year.The new Court Assistants are:Richard David REGAN who was admitted to the Liveryin 2007 was an Honorary Court Member. Richard is aPast Master of the Cutlers of London and was a Sheriff in2006/7. He is Chairman of the Craft Committee.Dr Nicholas Mark LAND is the son of Past PrimeWarden Emeritus Brian Land. He was apprenticed to his

father in April 1975. He is a psychiatrist and, in hisaddress to the Court, expressed his confidence that suchknowledge would not be needed within the Court.Jashvantrai Balvwantrai JOSHI was admitted to theLivery in 2004 and is secretary to the Craft Committee.He is now partially retired from the successfulinternational business that he developed.Zena Claire SANDERS had already established herplace in the history of the Company as the first ladyLiveryman. She can now add the distinction of becomingthe first lady Court Assistant. Zena also maintains afamily link as her father, Colin Bates, was Prime Wardenin 1992.

As can be seen from these brief details the Company isfortunate that four people with so much experience tooffer are part of the Company’s Court and decisionmaking processes.

Four New Court Assistants Christopher Jeal

The Gum TreeMemorialProject

7

The first two weekends in May were dismal, wetand cold so it was a relief to see the sun shining onthe golf competition on the Friday that opened

Sir David Brewer’s weekend. Six competitors took on thechampionship course at the East Sussex National Golf Cluband the winner was Pearl Allcard.

As the afternoon progressed fifty-two Liverymen andtheir guests congregated at the adjoining hotel which enjoyspanoramic views of the South Downs and the Sussex Weald.

The weekend is always an excellent opportunity forgetting to know members of the Company. At the openingreception on the roof terrace in the warm evening sun oldfriendswere greeted andnew friendships forged. From therewe adjourned for a convivial dinner, before retiring to thebar for the traditional session of putting the world to rights.

After breakfast on Saturday morning we boarded thecoach which was to take us to Clinton Lodge in thecharming village of Fletching. There, Lady Collum, ourhost, having welcomed us, gave a brief history of the houseand the fabulous garden which she and her late husbandcreated. A series of formal enclosed gardens, a wild garden,shady arbours, arcades wreathed in white roses and a yewwalk provide endless delight for the visitor.

From there we travelled to Barnsgate Manor for a lightlunch washed down with Pimms. As the sun was brightand warm we forsook the indoor restaurant for the balconyfrom which we could enjoy the views across opencountryside, the vineyards, and the donkeys and llamas.The term “light lunch” could have been prosecuted underthe Trade Descriptions Act as plate after plate ofsandwiches and tasty morsels were offered and devoured.

Returning to the hotel there was time to recover fromlunch before boarding the coach for Brighton, where wewere joined by a further twenty guests at the RoyalPavilion. Before dinner we had a private tour accompaniedby knowledgeable guides who gave an entertaining storyof how life would have been lived when the Prince Regentwas in residence. After the tour we ascended one of the firstcast iron staircases ever built, cleverly moulded to look likebamboo, for an excellent dinner in a room decorated withexquisite hand painted wallpaper.

On Sunday morning we motored to Firle Place, abeautiful 18th century French style mansion nestling in theshelter of the South Downs, for a private visit. Access tothe house was by way of a long drive winding throughbeautiful parkland with gambolling lambs all around. Thehouse, originally a Tudor mansion built by the Gage familywhose descendants still live there, was altered overthe years to become the stone faced, classical mansionseen today. From the house views of wonderful Englishparkland can be glimpsed while within we were shownan extraordinary collection of family paintings. The Gagefamily fell in and out of favour with the Tudors, wereinvolved in the loss of the American colonies, hadgreengages named after them and held onto their houseuntil the present day. Our guide was at pains to point outthat the house was not a museum and remained a homewhere the late Queen Mother enjoyed many a happy timeas a guest of the Gage family.

Lunch had been laid on for us and before departingmany of us took the opportunity to purchase pots ofgreengage jam. Once again the sun had shone on thePrime Warden’s weekend providing an opportunity toenjoy some of the best views in England and now it wastime to thank David and Tessa for hosting such anenjoyable weekend and to thank our Clerk, ChristopherJeal for his impeccable planning.

Prime Warden’s Weekend 2010 Adrian Oliver

Don and Barbara Barker sharing a light hearted moment with Tessa Brewer

Relaxing in the garden of Clinton Lodge

Arriving at Firle Place

8Photography by M. O’Sullivan

Peter Moore was proud to be an active member of theWorshipful Company of Blacksmiths. He served onthe Education and Training Sponsorship Committee

and his father Nolan Moore had been Prime Warden in 1972.Peter got great satisfaction from assisting in the

development of engineering courses during hisappointments as visiting Professor at TechnicalInstitutions in India and Nigeria. Otherwise his careerwas spent at Imperial College where he was a Reader inthe Mechanical Engineering Department. He was admiredby his students as evidenced by the fact that a Memorial

Award was established in his name at the college.He was President of the College Motor Club in which

capacityheoftenparticipated in theBrightonRun in theCityand Guilds College mascot, a vintage car named“Boanerges”.

We have only recently realised the extent of PeterMoore’s modesty. His 1948 patent, which was ahead ofits time, covering the transpiration cooling of gas turbineblades, was selected, with one other, for the Centenarycelebration of the Patent Office Library in 1955, as theoutstanding patent of the decade.

Having recently left HerefordCollege (New EntrantsTraining Scheme) I needed

to promote and broaden my business,widen my customer base andestablish contacts with smiths in theworking environment. My tutors hadoften spoken about the NationalBlacksmith Competition held atCountyShows throughout the countryso I found all the information on-line(www.blacksmithscompetition.co.uk)but had left it late. The first Showbegan in four days but, reassuringly,tickets and passes were left for me atthe showground gate.

So it was with some trepidation Iarrived and entered the craft tentcradling my ironwork. Othercompetitors were already busylabelling and arranging displays oftheir work. Any nervousness soonevaporated as I was swept into thepre-show build up and I was to

experience a similar atmosphere atall the Shows I attended over thesummer of 2009. Outside the crafttent the live competitions wereattracting large groups of onlookersand with the static displays withinthere was much to see.

The craft show had provided awonderful platform for me to meet

other smiths who encouraged mewith hints and tips. The blacksmith’scraft can be quite solitary at timesbut here was an opportunity toshare experiences, promote myself,distribute business cards and sellmy ironwork.

Itwas rewardingmeeting thepublicand explaining how items could beforged and joined without the useof a mig welder, thus keeping thecraft of the Blacksmith alive.Attending the Shows is a commitmentbut the rewards outweighed anyconcerns I previously had.

Returning home after attendingmy first Show, I knew the next daywould not only be spent followingup enquires and contacts made butalso arranging the schedule for thenext Show, as I did not want toleave matters to the last minute.Also – I had in my mind a projectfor next year.

A Reminiscence by Dr Barry Graham

Christopher Jeal

Keith Mahoney (National Championship Blacksmith – 2009)

Nolan Peter William Moore (1923-2000)

Craft Warden

A Marketplace for Blacksmiths

The research by Professor DavidHey for the Company Historyunearthed some traditional

names for the Wardens that seem tohave been lost over the years. It hasbeen suggested that, rather thanwrite the full titles in Minutes, atsome time in the past the Clerkwould list them as Prime, Renter,

Three and Four. Thus the presenttitles for the last two evolved.

The present day Wardens thoughtthat it would be appropriate toreview the titles but wanted to reflectthe present day involvement of theCompany with the art and mysteryof the blacksmiths.

They therefore proposed to the

Court that the Fourth Warden (themost junior) should be called CraftWarden. This was adopted at theLadyday Court and will be used infuture.

The other three Wardens willremain, Prime Warden, RenterWarden and Third Warden.

Keith Mahoney

9

During the latter part of hisreign King Henry 11, one ofthe most powerful rulers in

Europe, wanted a palace where hecould welcome all foreign dignitaries,rulers and ambassadors visitingEngland at that time. He chose torebuild Dover Castle which com-manded the shortest sea crossingbetween England and the continent,where the first castle had been builtby Duke William of Normandy in1066 and where centuries before anIron Age hill fort had stood.

The castle was to be a symbol ofkingly power and authority guardingthe gateway to the realm. Between1179 and 1188 the castle wascompletely rebuilt with the GreatTower, the grandest of the keeps builtduring the 11th and 12th centuries,standing at its heart. It was herewithin this splendid palace designed

for royal ceremony that Henry wouldgreet distinguished visitors toEngland. For ten consecutive years

Henry spent more on Dover than onany other castle in England

Dover Castle retaineda military role for ninecenturies until 1958.Responsibility for itsupkeep now rests withthe owner, EnglishHeritage, which in 2009began one of its mostambitious projects formany years – therecreation of the entireinterior of Henry’s GreatTower as it might haveappeared when newlycompleted, ready to

receive Count Philip of Flanders in1184.

The project involved historians,designers, artists and craftspeoplefrom across the UK. Some onehundred and forty craftsmen,workingwith a variety of materials, wereemployed on the project.

In February 2009, N E J StevensonLtd, Cabinet Makers to HerMajesty the Queen, contracted ColdHanworth Forge in Lincolnshire tomanufacture, using traditional tech-niques and materials and payinggreat attention to historical accuracyand detail, the ironwork required fora large consignment of medievalfurniture destined for the GreatTower of Dover Castle. Wyvern Forgefrom Warwickshire helped with the

project, manufacturing the locks andsharing the huge workload which hadto be completed by the end of July.

Kingʼs Chapel grilles & screens made using traditional forge-work techniques

Close-up details of hinge terminations on theDragonʼs chest

Dover Castle – The Great Tower Nigel Whitehead

Painted oak chest with hand forged decorative hinges and strapsin pig iron

Detail view of Ante-chamber grille Detail of door bolt & hinges of Kingʼs Armoir

10

Mastercrafts – presented by Monty Don

Our Craft Warden Don Barker was recently chosen totake part in the BBC 2 series Mastercrafts presentedby Monty Don. This was reality television in which

Don Barker had to take on three complete novices and overa period of six weeks train them in the basic techniquesof blacksmithing.

During the six weeks Monty Don appeared on certaindays and interviewed everyone to see what, if any,progress had been made and how well complete novicestook to the craft of blacksmithing. To Don Barker’s surpriseall three did extremely well, although, as rates of progressdiffered, Don had to provide individual training.

There were high and low points but generally after thefirst two weeks the novices settled into a ‘start early’ ‘finishlate’ regime. The final project involved discussing with aprospective client a design for a gate, costing, and thenmaking it. The gates were in fact provided free to the

clients. Having bitten off more than they could chewthey had to work until the early hours to complete thetask by the required time. The customers were verypleased with their gates

The gates were judged by the Worshipful Companyof Blacksmiths’ only Gold Medal holder, Bob Hobbs. Heawarded the prize to Hugh who, by winning, was giventhe opportunity to work on a prestigious piece of ironworkbeing restored for the National Trust. Dominic, whoimpressed Don so much and showed such enthusiasm, isnow working for Don’s company and has become anapprentice blacksmith. Gill, inspired by the project, hastaken up new challenges.

The experience was hard work for Don but he says ithelped him understand more about the need to pointpeople in the right direction when it comes to choosing acraft or a trade.

Surrey Docks Farm Forge

On a fine but chilly morning in March members ofthe Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths visited theForge of Kevin Boys AWCB at Surrey Docks Farm,

Rotherhithe. Their purpose was to watch cadets from theSouthwark sea cadet force and Westminster NW Sector

232 ACF having their firstexperience of working in aBlacksmith’s shop.

The cadets elected tofabricate copies of their capbadge. Before any workbegan Kevin explained theworkings of the Forge, theneed to wear protectivegloves and goggles, and theuse of the correct tools. Healso stressed that metalbeing used was hot even if itwas not glowing.

Large scale sketches of the badges to be used as workingdrawings were made then, under the expert and eagle eyeof Kevin and his assistant, Josh Smellin and with help fromfour apprentices, work began. The cadets’ enthusiasm wasvery evident as each attempted part of the fabrication.

The material used wassteel bar and sheet whichwas cut, bent, twisted,riveted and hammered. Bythe end of the day a verycreditable result had beenachieved.

Representing the Com-pany were The Clerk,Christopher Jeal, Past PrimeWarden Hugh Adams,Adrian Oliver and MauriceGreenberg and FreemanStuart Davis.

Maurice Greenberg

Craft Warden Don Barker with Monty Don in the forge

Gill, Dominic and Hugh

Army Cadet Force badgeSea Cadet Corps badge

When choosing a place to setup a smithy, a canal boatwould probably not be

most blacksmiths’ first choice; in factfrom almost any angle it is not agood choice at all, so what droveBrian Greaves to embark on this path?Brian had run the Craven Forge nearSkipton, Yorkshire from 1982 and in1989 moved onto a narrow boat,Emily, with his wife, Jane. In 1990 hegave up the forge and travelled theEnglish canal network. Brian reallyloved life on the canal; its interesting

characters, the countryside and thewildlife, ever changing views throughthe windows and exploring newplaces.After working as a boat builderin a canal boat yard and as a machinistin an engineering factory, he decidedhe wanted to return to blacksmithingand become self-employed withouthaving to give up his idyllic lifetravelling the canals. In 1992 hedesigned the steel, canal tug, Bronte,creating the first ever push tugequipped with a forge. A marineinsurance company, befuddled bythe prospect of insuring a boat with aforge onboard, made their inspectionequipped with a thermometer. Theythen insisted on the provision of twofire extinguishers, a fire blanket, anddoors on the front of the forge.

Brian built Bronte outside CravenForge. That winter the rains wererelentless, flooding the valley floorbelow the smithy, and Brian wasasked whether Bronte was to be thesecond Noah’s Ark or whether hehad been reading too much into theprophecies of Nostradamus. Theforge was built into the bow of theboat alongside a hundred-weightanvil, all the tools used by ablacksmith, and a traditional hand-driven bellows which Brian soondiscovered was very time consumingto use. With child labour in shortsupply, he fitted a fan driven by abank of 12 volt batteries charged bysolar panels, or by Bronte’s engine.The workshop is tiny by moststandards at seven by nine feet, buthas the advantage of everything beingclose to hand. The smithy’s steel rackaccommodates only a third of astandard twenty foot length of steelwhich might seem inconvenient, butlittle is wasted and by halving again aconvenient length for working in theforge is produced.

Being surrounded by nature, Brianfinds the location on the canalinspiring, bringing out his artisticside. While some of his work ispurely traditional, for other pieceshe uses a mix of modern andtraditional methods for which hehas developed his own tools formanipulating the steel into theflowing waves and sinuous curvessynonymous with his work.

Brian, his wife and two teenage

children live all year round onboardEmily and last winter was the coldestsince they moved aboard twenty oneyears ago. Emily is heated by a solidfuel Rayburn Regent. In January,when Emily was stuck in thick ice forthree weeks, the Lock Inn CottageCafé in Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire,kindly let them fill their water tanks.Water and electricity are finiteresources on a narrow boat, so theGreaves family had to learn to beenvironmentally friendly from dayone. The children attend St Laurencecomprehensive school in Bradford onAvon which is within walkingdistance and when Emily is mooredfurther from town they cycle toschool. During the summer holidaysEmily and Bronte travel further afieldalong the River Thames to London orupstream to Oxford and beyond. Thechildren’s school friends lovespending a few days on the boat.

So, perhaps not the obvious choiceand certainly not one which wouldappeal to many, but as a lifestyle itsuits Brian and his family down to theground.

11

A Floating Forge

Buble

Swans

Serpentine table

12

Ironwork Judging SeminarMaurice Greenberg

During March Hereford Collegeof Technology hosted anIronwork Judging Seminar

under the direction of Adrian Legge.A series of presentations was madeon the Holme Lacy campus coveringthe role of the National BlacksmithingCompetition Committee (NBCC) andits website; the Worshipful Companyof Blacksmiths and the NationalChampion Awards; opportunities forblacksmiths to compete and markettheir craft; the role of the judgeand how the marking criteria work;the role of the Show Societiesand Stewards and how the Showschedules work.

Later, three examples of each offour categories of ironwork weredisplayed and visitors were invitedto test their judging skills usingan official, Judge’s scorecard. Thecategories comprised “Live” – itemsmade on the day of the Showincluding examples of a scroll, adoor handle and a structural element– overseen by Richard Jones,“Traditional” – examples including alight, a toast-rack and a candlestick– overseen by Steve Rook FWCB,“Contemporary” – examples of acandlestick, flowers and an insignia– overseen by Hector Cole FWCB,and “Blades” – displaying examplesof a hunting Bowieknife, a duellingsword and afighting sword –overseen by ChezzChescoe.

After much de-liberation Adrianconducted a poll onthe order of merit inwhich the ironworkshould be placed.The result showedonly slight variationin marks awardedfor first and second places in eachcategory which, considering there willbe a degree of subjectivity in anyjudging, was quite satisfying. Thenthe Blacksmiths, who had overseenthe individual categories placed the

pieces in the order of merit in whichthey considered them to be givingtheir reasons. Overall there was fairlyclose agreement between the amateursand the professionals.

Members of the WorshipfulCompany of Blacksmiths attendingincluded Past Prime Warden HughAdams, Adrian Oliver, Steve RookFWCB and his apprentice CallumDingwall, Michelle Parker FWCB,Wendy Alford (Secretary to theWCB Judging Committee), MichaelRoberts FWCB, Gold Medallist,Robert Hobbs FWCB and Maurice

Greenberg. Also present wereMelissa Cole, students from theNational School of Blacksmithingand other blacksmiths.

Our thanks go to Adrian Legge andhis team for organising the event.

NETS is a highly successfultraining facility to enabledeveloping blacksmiths to

improve their skills. It has operated,under various sponsors, for nearlyforty years. In March this yearwe were given summary notice ofits termination.

The best parallel with the Schemeis ‘day release’. However, withNETS the release period is one weekand the participants are blacksmithswho need to develop their skills andspeed of execution.

In a commercial environment the‘cost’ to the Master of training canbe considerable while NETS enablesa trainee to spend one week with anexpert tutor, concentrating in eachmodule on a specific range of skills.

The junior blacksmith returnsto the Master’s forge with increasedconfidence and enhanced ‘com-mercial’ value. The modules of thefull NETS course can extend overthree years.

The Worshipful Company ofBlacksmiths supports the students,through its Charitable Trust BursaryScheme, by offering grants to defraythe travel and accommodation costsof participants in the Schemewhich is provided at the NationalSchool of Blacksmithing. This ison the Moreton Morrell campus ofHereford College of Art.

The Company has made directrepresentations to the Secretary ofState for Business and the EducationSecretary. NETS has proven itself asuccess and has benefited manyblacksmiths who are now MasterSmiths. The Scheme deserves tobe saved with its miniscule costcompared with other programmes.

We will keep exerting pressurewherever we can for its retention, asit is truly ‘value for money’. If anyLiveryman would like a ‘standard’letter to submit to their Member ofParliament then please contact me.

CHRISTOPHER JEAL

Railings – good work

Examples of poor and good work

New EntrantsTrainingScheme (NETS)

The Royal Bath & West Showwas blessed with hot sunnyweather; not such a blessing

however for the smiths as theytoiled over their hot fires in thelive forging competition. It was aformidable sight to see a pair ofskilled smiths working against theclock as they turned slabs ofglowing steel into a pair of workingblacksmith’s tongs in thirty minutesof sweat, concentration and con-trolled muscle power. Even the

neighbouring Farriers came to seehow it should be done.

There was also a high quality ofentry for the static competitionswith diverse exhibits creating achallenge for the Judge who hadto compare a classic candle standwith an intricate modern sculpture.Richard Jones AWCB assisted byJames Crossman (in photograph)won the live forging pairscompetition making the tongs.

The Show had provided anotherexcellent day’s entertainment sur-rounded by beautiful countryside.

13

Terry feels strongly that all thework he undertakes, from initialdesign through to completion andinstallation, should be done by himand his team of smiths. Initialinspiration sometimes develops inconversation with a client but thedesign will be seen in conjunctionwith its location to blend with theenvironment. Builders and architectsare consulted throughout when itcomes to gateways and architecturalembellishments. Precise drawingsand measurements ensure correct

proportions with details such as locksand hinges being given equalimportance. Terry’s signature is a tinysnail affixed to each of his works.

He edited “British Blacksmith”magazine between 1980 and 1984then took up the editorship again in1999 until 2008 during which timehe relaunched the magazine as“Artist Blacksmith”. He has providedpractical demonstrations includingone in 1982 for the Victoria & AlbertMuseum’s “Towards a New IronAge”, in the United States of Americain 2002 and 2004 and at Sotheby’s. In1991 he was Forgemaster at the firstInternational Forge-in in Ireland andis recognised as one of the leadingsmiths in Europe. In 1986 he was thefirst artsmith to have a gate acceptedfor the Royal Academy SummerExhibition in the sculpture category.Having himself won competitionsand prizes for his work, he organisedand chaired the International Black-smithing Conference at Ironbridge,Shropshire in 1985 and 2007.

In 1995 Terry was awarded theSilver Medal of the WorshipfulCompany of Blacksmiths and in thesame year became a Freeman ofthe City of London. In 2009 he wasmade Chairman of the British ArtistBlacksmiths Association (BABA) and

in the same year, together withAlan Dawson, was awarded theTonypandy Cup by the Company forthe International Pillar of Friendship.Also, in 2009, he and his wife,Sally, made history by becoming thefirst husband and wife to beadmitted to the Livery of theWorshipful Company of Blacksmithson the same day.

As a keen conservationist Terryenjoys restoring antique metal work,endeavouring to meld restorationsinto the exact style of the originalsmiths. These days more of hiswork is done using stainless steeland some bronze.

As a founder member of BABATerry believes that he would nothave achieved his level of successwithout the sharing of knowledgeand skills of blacksmithing whichthe Association offers. His belief isthat you should never think ofyourself as being more importantthan your work.

Terence Michael Clark FWCB

Terence Clark FWCB

Burning Bush

Thirty five years ago Terry Clark set up his own workshop tocreate original functional art as an artist blacksmith. In 1981,he moved to Wildfields Farm near Guildford, a listed

building set in rolling grassland, which provides him with times ofsilence and satisfies his need to be close to nature, and where hislarge workshop is tucked away in a barn.

Royal Bath and West Show Adrian Oliver

14

Once more the team of smiths,gathered together by the evercheerful Mike Demianow, put

on a splendid display at the popularSouth of England Agricultural Showheld annually at Ardingly. There also,to support and encourage the team,was Past Prime Warden Hugh Adamswho, arriving the day before theShow, spent two nights sleeping inthe marquee and still alwaysappeared to have just stepped outin his Sunday best, dressed in whiteshirt, Company tie, tidy trousers andpolished shoes except when, earlyone morning, he was caught oncamera in overalls preparing thestand for the day.

This year, displays both within themarquee and without were as variedand interesting as ever, and theobvious pleasure visitors derivedfrom the exhibits on show was

evident from the quantity of itemssold. Working behind safety screens,smiths, who not only supply allequipment but willingly give theirtime to the Show, provided greatentertainment in the live forgingdisplays. Those drawn to watchmarvelled at their skills convertingpieces of iron into practical andbeautiful shapes.

Liverymen Terry and Sally Clark,acting as judges of the Traditionaland Contemporary works, awardedRichard Bradshaw the prizes in bothcategories. Richard also won the WCBCup for Best of Show and the PeterBegent Award for his Rush Light.Past National Blacksmithing Cham-pion and Liveryman David Harman,FWCB, judged the Live Competitionswhich were held over three days andawarded the prize to Kyle Swan forhis Candle Holder.

One of the most popular events ofthe South of England Show is theunique craft competition for youngpeople aged 14 to 21. A static displayof the winners’ works provides animportant opportunity for the publicto admire the terrific range of artisticand creative ability of these youngpeople. Many past winners have goneon to open their own businessesfollowing public recognition of theirtalents. In this year’s YoungCraftsman of the Year Awardscompetition, the metalwork prize wasawarded to Luke Gorman from theCamelia Botnar Foundation for a gatehe designed and created using threeseparate materials, iron, bronze andglass. He also received the WorshipfulCompany of Blacksmiths’ award forhis outstanding work.

Nigel Whitehead

Hugh Adams in his other role

South of England Show–Ardingly

Lt. Caila Barnett RN working at the forge

Luke Gorman receiving the WCB Awardfrom Nigel Whitehead

After some four years planning a tribute to Isambard Kingdom Brunel,and making a metre high model of the proposed memorial, the design byKevin Boys AWCB has been approved by the London Borough of

Southwark. Kevin will now begin forging the structure which is to stand at theSouthwark end of Brunel’s pedestrian Thames tunnel in Rotherhithe.

The final structure standing around fifteen metres high will be made fromdouble bullnose bar having the same cross section as Brunel’s broad-gauge railsand assembled with hot rivets made from the same section bar. It will have askeletal outline of Brunel, himself, complete with signatory top-hat, and holdingaloft a ring attached to the circumference of which are representations of someof his achievements – the SS Great Eastern, the Tamar Bridge, a locomotive(representing his broad-gauge railway), and the entrance to the pedestriantunnel beneath the Thames.

I would like to thank Kevin for helping me compile the information forthis article.

Tribute to Isambard Kingdom Brunel–Master Engineer (1806-1859)Maurice Greenberg

15

ObituariesAlan Herbert Cherry CBE., DL., FRICS. Alan Cherry,who died on 22nd January, was most distinguished in theproperty development world, through his companyCountryside Properties. The breadth of his influence andthe esteem in which he was held by professional colleagueswas reflected in the large congregation at his MemorialService in Chelmsford Cathedral.

He was admitted to the Livery in 1961 and was theseventh most senior Liverymen.

We extend our sympathies to his widow and all themembers of his family.

Robert Guy Shillingford MBE., AE., MBA. It wouldrequire almost this entire Newsletter to cover BobShillingford’s life and achievements. This Obituary canonly provide a brief summary.

Bob was born in 1922 at Brockley in South East Londonand attended Colfe’s Grammar School. On leaving schoolhe joined Imperial Airways at Croydon Airport as anengineering apprentice. Shortly after the start of theSecond World War he joined the Royal Air Force. When theWar ended he joined the Royal Auxiliary Air Force andcompleted his service in 1954 having been Adjutant of 615Squadron at Biggin Hill for eight years. He was appointedMBE (Military).

Bob then worked in the family paper manufacturingbusiness and as a wine merchant in London and the WestCountry.

His involvement with the City of London was extensivethrough his service as a Member of the Court of CommonCouncil from 1961 to 1975 during which time he served oninnumerable committees. It was through his work as theFounding Chairman of the City of London Polytechnic,which ultimately became the London MetropolitanUniversity, that he was made an Honorary MBA.

He married Mary Marston, who had been a privatesecretary on Winston Churchill’s staff, in 1953. She diedbefore him and he came to live in Morden College (anInstitution supported by the City of London) at Blackheathin 1966.

He had been elected as a Liveryman of the Company in1963 and to mark his contributions to the Company and theCity he was elected an Honorary Member of the Court in2005. He was a Member of the City Pickwick Club with thesoubriquet – from the character in the Pickwick Papers –of Joe, The Fat Boy.

Bob died on 12th December 2009 and there was aCelebration of his Life on 15th January 2010 in the Chapelat Morden College, where he was Warden for many years.The Prime Warden, relatives and representatives of themany institutions with which he had been involvedattended, not least The City of London through thepresence of the Chief Commoner.

Professor Sir Hugh Ford D.Sc., FRS., FREng. ProfessorSir Hugh Ford died on the 28th May. He had been aninspirational leader and teacher in the field of MechanicalEngineering. He had been President of the Institution ofMechanical Engineers and was a founder Fellow of theRoyal Academy of Engineering.

After graduating from City and Guilds College hefollowed a distinguished career with ICI, and The BritishIron and Steel Research Association before his appointmentas Reader at City and Guilds College, the engineeringschool of Imperial College. In 1951 he was appointedProfessor and subsequently served as Head of theMechanical Engineering Department and Pro Rector ofthe College.

He was a proud and enthusiastic Liveryman of theBlacksmiths’ Company.

New LiverymenA.W. “Jim” Cook. Jim Cook was admitted to the Liveryat the Epiphany Court. He is a Consulting Engineer andwas a leading member of the team that prepared themasterplan for the 2012 London Olympic Games. Hisinvolvement with the Company comes through havingattended many Company events with his sponsor theThird Warden, Keith Gabriel. However, he claimspractical involvement long before that. As part of hisbuilding trades training Jim had to make several ‘trade’pieces and this included an iron-shifting spanner and socan claim experience of blacksmithing.

John U. Ruffell. Also admitted at the Epiphany Courtwas John Ruffell. He has attended so many Companyfunctions with his sponsor, Geoffrey Abraham, that it wasalmost a surprise that he was not a member of theCompany. John is an accountant and is responsible for anursing and care agency based in Tonbridge.

Stuart J. Davis. Stuart was admitted to the Livery atthe Midsummer Court. He was accompanied by hissponsor Past Prime Warden, John Barber. Stuart, whois the Director of a consultancy business based in theCity of London, has already contributed to theCompany’s affairs as a member of the Social Group.With an interest in encouraging the development ofyoung people and his military background, he broughthis wife and family to Surrey Docks Farm when thecadets who competed for the Elworthy Trophy werethere in March.

Robert D. Tunks. Bob was also admitted to the Livery atthe Midsummer Court. Married with two children, he is atoolmakerandwhileheseeshis tradeasa ‘high-tec’ industryhe still remembers its original roots in blacksmithing.

We welcome them all and look forward to theirparticipation in the life of the Company.

16

Published by: The Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths. Printed by: Shooter & Mallet, 11 Agaton Road, New Eltham, London SE9 3RN. Tel: 020 8859 5070.

Prices:• Livery Tie £10 (Liverymen only)• ‘Social Tie’ £22• Umbrella £15• Cuff Links £66.50• Brooches £45All items available from the Clerk, Christopher Jeal.

A limited supply might be available at Court luncheons.

Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths’ Shop

Show Dates 2010Great Yorkshire Show July 13th, 14th, 15thRoyal Welsh Show July 19th, 20th, 21st, 22ndNew Forest Show July 27th, 28th, 29thEdenbridge & Oxted show August 29th, 30thDorset County Show September 4th, 5th

ITALICS DENOTE SHOW SUPPORTED BY WCBBUT WHICH IS NOT ON NBCC CIRCUIT

Diary of Events 2010/11

Copies of the excellent photographs taken by MichaelO’Sullivan, of the Awards Luncheon and other formal

events and reproduced in the Newsletter can be obtaineddirectly from:

www.michaelosullivanphotography.co.ukor michaelphotography@tiscali.co.uk

Telephone: 020 8363 8350

Election Court 29th July 2010Wardens’ Court 9th September 2010Election of the Lord Mayor 29th September 2010Michaelmas Court andAwards Luncheon 21st October 2010

Lord Mayor’s Show 13th November 2010Wardens’ Court 25th November 2010Carol Service 9th December 2010Epiphany Court and Luncheon 13th January 2011Wardens Court 24th February 2011Ladyday Court and Luncheon 31st March 2011United Guilds Service 1st April 2011Annual Banquet 15th April 2011Wardens Court 11th May 2011Prime Warden’s Weekend 20th-22nd May 2011Election of Sheriffs 24th June 2011Midsummer Court and Luncheon 30th June 2011Election Court 28th July 2011Wardens Court 8th September 2011Election of the Lord Mayor 3rd October 2011Michaelmas Court andAwards Luncheon 20th October 2011

Lord Mayor’s Show 12th November 2011Wardens Court 1st December 2011Carol Service 16th December 2011

Editor: Nigel Whiteheade-mail: nigelbw@tiscali.co.uk

Telephone: 01580 713302

We offer congratulations to Assistant Emeritus JohnJewiss, Past Prime Warden Brian Iles, Past Prime

Warden Clifford Champion and Past Prime Warden RodneyLyons, each of whom is celebrating 50 years membership ofthe Company this year.

A Golden Celebration

This year’s South ofEngland Show was thelast occasion on which

Lt. Caila Barnett RN willattend in her role as LiaisonOfficer for the Company. Lt.Lee Norton RN will replaceCaila in this important role.Caila’s letter, addressed toPast Prime Warden HughAdams, informing him ofthese changes is reproducedhere.

Naval Liaison Officer

Copies of photographs