The Worshipful Company of Plaisterers | The Master’s Year 2008 to 2009

The Master’s Year 2009-10

This past year's Master and Master’s Lady, Robert and Victoria Dalrymple have been part of what they rightly describe as one of “the most special" years in the history of the Plaisterers’ Company.

Here is their summary:

Where do I begin to try to put into words being Master in this most special year in the history of the Worshipful Company of Plaisterers’? The Robing Ceremony in July 2009 confirming me as the 510th Master seems only weeks back rather than a year, but in that year it has been a pleasure and an honour to represent the Company at over 160 events within the Square Mile and beyond.

A 'Plaisterer' Lord Mayor and a 'Plaisterer' Sheriff

To watch and support our own Honorary Liveryman, Alderman Nick Anstee take on the office of Lord Mayor and Past Master Peter Cook become Lay Sheriff of the City of London made me and I know the whole of the Company, proud and delighted to be a part of what is a uniquely historic year. Being involved in the preparations for and then our representation in, the Lord Mayor's Show on 14th November 2009 as well as serving on the Lord Mayor & Sheriffs Committee gave a unique “ behind the scenes “ insight to the operation of such a historical and momentous pageant . I must congratulate the committee set up to ensure that our float in the Show represented the Livery to the high standard it did, and also pay tribute to the work of much missed , Rupert Spurling, in the design and construction of the float.

The Lord Mayor's Show was a huge success despite the weather ( rain for the second year running despite the Clerk promising it would be fine!) followed the Clerk and I representing the Company at the Silent Ceremony in Guildhall the day before. On the morning of the Show, accompanied by 4 Past Masters, we presented the Lord Mayor and Sheriff Peter Cook with commemorative silver boxes.The one given to the Lord Mayor dated 1814 was a particularly fine piece of Georgian silver.

Attending the Lord Mayor's Banquet with the Prime Minister and many other dignitaries present, was an absolute honour and highlight. On behalf of the Livery I would like to acknowledge the the close co-operation developed between the Butchers' Company (the Lord Mayor's 'Mother' Company) and ourselves in supporting the Lord Mayor and the Shrieval team.

The Master Butcher joined us at was was, in my opinion,one of the best Annual Banquets we have ever had. 300 people attended to welcome as well as the Lord Mayor & Lady Mayoress, the “Home Team” of Sheriff Peter and Julie Cook, along with Sheriff Alderman David and Liz Wootton. A truly atmospheric event proving the hospitality and conviviality of this Company has no equals.

Plastering Industry

In the same vein our Training Awards Ceremony in October 2009 was the best attended and most successful ever. The awards were presented by the then Lord Mayor Alderman Ian Luder, the highlight of which was our very own Arthur Watkins receiving the 'Lifetime Achievement' Award.

Armed Forces

Our Military connections continue to grow and strengthen. We entertained the Royal Marine Signallers in our Hall at the beginning of my year. Subsequently I presented the Plaisterers' Chalice to the leading hand on the Royal Marines' beach landing craft course at Poole. This, having experienced the Mistress showing off her power boat handling skills at over 40 knots in the harbour.

I shall always remember the Clerk and I running for a plane after the Training Awards Ceremony to attend a Mess Dinner at the Royal Marines' Stonehouse Barracks in Plymouth. The Mistress and I arrived in a more leisurely manner to be guests of the Royal Marines at their band concert at the Albert Hall , when we were invited to share the Royal Box with HRH, Prince Philip. A musical treat !

HMS Dragon is our NEW Naval affiliation and is nearing completion on the Clyde. Commander Jackson and the crew accepted our invitation to the Hall for Dinner, a most convivial affair with the ship's company reciprocating by inviting a group to Scotland to look around Dragon in dock. What a privilege and what a machine she is! Both parties are looking forward to a long and happy affiliation. To add to the connection I met the new Lord Mayor of Cardiff when visiting the Welsh Livery Guild in Cardiff in the spring. The City of Cardiff is also affiliated to HMS Dragon.

At our April Dinner it was a delight to present Lance Corporal Jeremy Forrester RE with the Royal Engineers Plasterers' Trophy and good to see our friends from the SRR, all of whom are unsurprisingly, exceptionally busy at the moment but are enthusiastically supportive of our connection with them.

We wish to re-confirm to all our military connections our full support in these testing times for all of Her Majesty's Armed Forces.

Charities

The Master's Charity this year has been CHASE, a respite Children’s Hospice near Guildford in Surrey. Donations we have made have helped in this a year when its Government funding was cancelled. It was a heart wrenching but illuminating trip to Treloar's School, where it was good to see the connection between Treloar's and CHASE in the support of limited-life children.

Times they are a changing.......

Time & tide wait for no man and as the Company installs its 511th Master Victoria and I wish Hubert and Sue Lacey and the new team as successful and enjoyable term of office as we have had. As I move on after a mere year in office, Hilary Machtus moves on to retirement after 29 years in the Clerk's office. I, on behalf of the Livery, thank her for the unstinting loyalty and service she has given to this Company and express our very best wishes to her for a long, happy and active retirement.

I would also like to welcome as new Clerk to the Company, Nigel Bamping whose installation at the Robing Ceremony in July 2010 I hope leads on to a long and happy term in the Clerk's office.

Our Livery is held in the highest esteem within the Square Mile and beyond and it has been an honour and privilege to serve as your Master for 2009/2010.