January is traditionally a slow livery month, but Plaisterers hit the New Year on the front foot.

Our Masters & Clerks Dinner on the 11 January was the perfect way to launch our 2022 livery social calendar. I was delighted to welcome to our Hall, Masters and Clerks from 60 livery companies all eager to re-ignite fellowship and fraternity after a paucity of events over the past two years. For some Masters and indeed some of our members and guests, this was the first dinner they had attended since the onset of Covid-19. Plaisterers, thank you for attending this dinner in such large numbers and for making our guests feel so very welcome.

With so many esteemed guests it was impossible to greet them all individually, so it was best to greet them collectively. A Pride of Masters to acknowledge that Masters should be proud of shoring up their ancient companies throughout the pandemic and a Nexus of Clerks in recognition of how the Clerks kept the livery companies ‘connected’ during lockdown, ensuring a community of interest prevailed, sharing information and news driven by the common cause of safeguarding the livery companies of the City of London.

The Principal Guest and Speaker was the Rt Hon Sir Robert Buckland KBE QC MP who made an excellent speech, tailored and personalised to his audience. He remained for the stirrup-cup, engaging with all those who approached him, including certain members and guests working on the restoration work of the Elizabeth Tower. I know from the many letters received, that our guests thoroughly enjoyed the evening, the food, the wine and our magnificent Hall, which looked stunning.

In January, as Master and a Trustee of the Plaisterers’ Charitable Trust I was proud to announce the Plaisterers’ Platinum Jubilee Fund, set up by our Charity, in honour of her Majesty’s historic reign and to mark special anniversaries we have with several of our Affiliates in 2022. The Fund currently stands at a magnificent £100,000 to be distributed to the charitable arms of our Affiliates to support much needed causes and projects. Watch out for future announcements on the projects the Fund will be sustaining. Our Company has been adversely affected by Covid-19, but in this very special year of anniversaries it was important for us to recognise them in a meaningful and philanthropic way.

Throughout 2022, the Plaisterers’ Charitable Trust will continue to fund the good causes it supports, including the Training Awards in November 2022. After a lapse of 2 years due to Covid-19, it is crucial this Awards event goes ahead this year. It bonds us with our plastering trade, by recognising and rewarding education, educators, excellence, achievement and the makers of beautiful plasterwork. Plaisterers, thank you for supporting our Charitable Trust. The work it does is not possible without your generous giving.

Please see the Clerk’s latest Newsletter for an overview of the Court’s Meeting on the 11 January and livery events coming up in the next few months. Don’t miss out!

2022 A Platinum Jubilee Year – A Celebration of our Monarch’s Magnificent Reign