LIVERY NEWSLETTER AND GAZETTEISSUE 21 SPRING 2013

The Worshipful Companyof Tobacco Pipe Makersand Tobacco Blenders

The Master’sVoiceTo follow our first LadyMaster might seem a hard actbut Michael Prideaux hasdone so in style.

Almost a year ago he decidedthat if he was to concentrate onthe office of Master he wouldresign his position as Director ofCorporate and Regulatory Affairswith BAT and devote himself toconsolidating the position of ourLivery in these difficult times forthe industry.

Nobody is better equipped. Hisancestors include no less thanthree Clerks of the Goldsmiths

Company of which he hasbeen a Liveryman since1973. He has worked for23 years in BAT andjoined our Livery by thefast track method in 2004since when he hasrecruited many seniorfigures from that stable.

Essentially a modest manhe nevertheless exudesgravitas, with a keentouch of humour andlearning. We can lookforward to someentertaining speeches.

His wife Sue is adistinguished author inher own right havingpublished a biography ofEdvard Munch, and with a

book on August Strindberg shortlisted for the Duff CooperMemorial Prize.

They live in London andHorsham and take a greatinterest in gardening, and inparticular the Chelsea PhysicGarden among whose remedialherbs and plants there must be anicotinea or two for soothing themind.

Their married daughter and sonhave given them fourgrandchildren.

He joined BAT in 1989 afterhaving been Chief Executive ofCharles Barker City, and DeputyAdvertisement Director of theFinancial Times.

1

In thisIssueIn thisIssueThe Master’s Voice

Around the Liverypages 2-3

Charity Newspages 4-6

Smoking Clubpage 7

Livery Chroniclepages 8-11

Future EventsBack page

www.tobaccolivery.org

2

The Tobacco PipeMakers and TobaccoTrade BenevolentFundThis was the first full year of accounts for thecombined funds ending 31st March 2012.

The Livery Fund shows charitable giving of£86,174, principally to causes where ourdonations can make a significant difference.

The TTBA disbursed £233,051 in welfare toaround 200 former members of the TobaccoTrade. The combined assets of the two fundsrose to £5,292,820 at 31st March 2012.

Our financesThe accounts for the year ended 25th March2012 showed that the company had asurplus of £17,784 (2011-£1,370) and ourinvestments stood at a value of £1,049,308(2011- £1,010,357). Quarterage declinedslightly to £32,598 whilst expenses weredown £12,379 at £58,800 as expected. OurTreasurer anticipates the current year’sresults to be broadly similar.

AppointmentsAssistant Jacqueline Burrows has joined theGeneral Purposes Committee

Liverymen Ralph Edmondson has been electedto the Court as Assistant

MembersGowned with the LiveryConrad Blakey OBE, TD 26th Jan 2012

Nick Keveth MA, FCA 10th Sept 2012

Chris Bischoff 23rd Jan 2013

Terry Fenner-Leitao 23rd Jan 2013A former Pipe Makers scholar at Sevenoaks

Dominic Brisby 23rd Jan 2013

New FreemenColin Wragg 26th Jan 2012Director Corporate Affairs, Imperial

Nicola Snook 10th Sept 2012Company secretary at BAT

Ann Tradigo 23rd Jan 2013Formerly Corporate Communications BAT

Martine Petetin 23rd Jan 2013Formerly with BAT as lawyer

Gareth Cooper 23rd Jan 2013Head of regulatory affairs BAT

The Websitewww.tobaccolivery.org

Our website goes from strength to strength andnot only will the Master’s blog give you a frontrow view of what the Master is doing, butmembers can read minutes of the Court meetings,complete with supporting documents. TheMembership Committee is to be congratulated onhaving pushed this forward, and there are moredevelopments in the pipeline, so keep logging onto see what’s new.

3

Anthony Gilbert was sworn in as our newbeadle at the Installation Court on 14th June2012.

Lost brethrenLiveryman Len Kelsey died on 11th July 2012 atthe age of 85 having joined the Livery in 1977.

HonoursAdded to Wally Kahn’s MBE last year he hasnow been elected as a Fellow of the RoyalAeronautical Society.

The Clerk

Lt Col Peter Swanson MBE has sadly electednot to continue as our Clerk and will be leavingus before the next Installation. He is shown herewith his wife Diana at the Mansion HouseBanquet. We wish them both well.

His successor is Paul Bethel, a Past Master ofthe Worshipful Company of Framework Knitters,who will be introduced to the Election Court inMarch 2013. In a change from past practice hewill take on the combined role of Clerk to theBenevolent Fund as well as the Livery.

Staying overnight fora function? These days the cost of overnightaccommodation even in a Club has proveda deterrent to attending some of ourfunctions. The Vintner’s Hall may providea solution, situated as it is within walkingdistance of the Mansion House and otherHalls.

Although it does not provide breakfast alimited number of double rooms are offeredto Liverymen and their wives at £96 a night.

Contact Major Steve Marcham MBE theGeneral Manager on 020 7651 0748,or emailthegeneralmanager@vintnershall.co.uk

4

The Lloyds AbseilChallenge Past Master Fiona Adler showed her mettleagain by jumping off the Lloyds building. Whatwe ask our Masters to do!

“I can honestly say I have never been so terrifiedin all my life when it came to that heart stoppingmoment as I stepped off the building to start mydescent (I swear I heard the Lutine Bell ring!) thedrop was 289 feet and all I had was a ropeholding me up. Total fear and blind panic tookover...........for David who was waiting to catch medown on the pavement! “

With the help of the Livery she raised nearly£2000 for The Lord Mayor’s Appeal which willhelp five charities; the primary being Bart’shospital, and the London charity on behalf of theTrauma Unit at The Royal London Hospital. TheRowing Foundation, London Youth Rowing, Fieldsin Trust and Futures for Kids were also supported.

Roger Brookes, who has somewhat of a recordin climbing, running and abseiling to raise moneyfor charity was also at the end of a rope. Hemodestly declined to steal Fiona’s thunder whenit came to describing his descent.

And this is the lady who went wing walkingfor a lark.

The Pipe Makers goperipateticAs is known the Livery has no home of itsown. Although a shareholder at Glaziers’Hall we moved north of the river in 1998.But after nearly 15 years lodging atPainters’ Hall (incidentally where theoriginal company lodged until asked to leavefor failing to pay the rent!) the smoking banhas beaten us. The Court has decided tomove around Halls where at least a degreeof smoking is possible in a courtyard orcloister. So far Tallow Chandlers’ andSaddlers’ have hosted successful functions,and we look forward to Watermens’, HQSWellington, and the Girdlers’.

5

The Queen’s DiamondJubilee Luncheon inWestminster HallMany months before the Jubilee celebrationsstarted in earnest, and under strict secrecy, theLivery Companies of London were asked if theywould like to host a Diamond Jubilee Luncheonfor Her Majesty the Queen. The response was anoverwhelming ‘yes’ and slowly the plan emergedfor a fabulous event to be attended by 700 peopleat Westminster Hall, entirely funded by the LiveryCompanies.

Each of the 88 attending Livery Companies werepermitted to invite guests from their associatedschools, charities and armed forces affiliations,and I was honoured and delighted that Mrs AnneMitchell - Chief Riding Instructor and the drivingforce for Barrow Farm Riding and CarriageDriving for the Disabled in Essex, Mr Nick Riley- Youth Club Leader, Oxford & Bermondsey Club(in Bermondsey), Mrs Rose Johnson - from TheSpeech Language and Training Centre, aspecialist early intervention centre for babies andchildren under five with hearing impairment, andSecond Lieutenant Izzie Currie - Operationsofficer, Headquarters Company of the LondonRegiment, Territorial Army (all pictured with me,left to right) were able to accept our Liveryinvitation to attend.

Security was tight as we gathered at the Hallwhilst the Royal Family were attending themarvellous service at St Paul’s - it gave us plentyof time to discover where each member of theRoyal family were seated. We found the Queen’splace and were delighted to discover a small

square of red carpet placed on the stone floor forHer Majesty’s feet. A succession of Masters heldup the table cloth so that photographs could betaken before a steward arrived and told us wewere creasing the table cloth, “if one more personlifts that cloth, you will be ejected” he crossly toldus - the next person to offend was the MasterMercer …..............imagine; his eloquent speechmay never have been heard!

The National Children’s Orchestra entertained uswith a remarkable programme of music and as westood in the Hall with its stonework and rooftrusses, it was very atmospheric, particularlywhen they played the theme from Harry Potter!The hall has seen nearly a thousand years ofhistory and soon it was about to own anotherhuge historical occasion.

The Queen, the Prince of Wales, the Duchess ofCornwall, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridgeand Prince Harry were greeted by a fanfare oftrumpets. They each sat at different LiveryCompany tables (The Prince of Wales was 2 tothe left of us and Her Majesty was 5 to the right!)The Master Mercer in his speech paid tribute tothe Queen’s “unstinting” devotion to duty, he saidthat “much has changed in the last sixdecades…but it has been the age of Elizabeth.You embody the very best of our national values.You are our constant in a changing world.”

This was my last event before I handed over toMichael Prideaux, a wonderful end to a wonderfulyear and an enormous privilege to serve as Master.

Fiona Adler, Immediate Past Master

Oxford andBermondsey ClubOpening of the CreativeMedia Suite “The Blend”The Oxford and Bermondsey Club (OBC) is oneof the more recent charities supported by theTobacco Pipe Makers and Tobacco TradeBenevolent Fund.

At the OBC they believe that music and ICT(Information Communications and Technology)can help to change the lives of disadvantagedyoung people, especially for those who are atrisk of offending, or susceptible to drug andalcohol abuse. From research conducted duringoutreach sessions within the estates andneighbourhood surrounding the Oxford andBermondsey Club in South London, youngpeople put a music facility at the top of theirwish list, and said it would encourage theirattendance at the club. As one put it “We’ll bequeuing round the block to get in!”

The Benevolent Fund Trustees decided tocontribute by donating funds to set up acreative media suite, to be known as TheBlend, to enable the OBC to engage with someof the hardest to reach groups. Youngoffenders, looked after children, drug andalcohol abuse groups, and young peoplebelonging to gangs were all targeted to involvethem in positive activities which would help tobuild their confidence and self esteem. Theywould learn to develop skills as an MC or DJ,lyric writing, music production, studiorecording and of course live performance atshowcase events.

The development of the building and theinstallation of a Creative Media Suite at theOBC has also enabled a greater partnershipworking with the Local Authority, youth

Derek Harris cuts the tape to open “The Blend”

agencies and schools from throughout the area.It has had a positive impact on increasingincome, and is a step towards enabling theOBC to become more sustainable for thefuture.

The set up comprises of four workstationsincorporating iMac computers specifically setup for music and film production, withadditional peripherals such as Midi Keyboards,and sound interface.

Also included are a professional studio qualityMicrophone, sound booth and monitors forrecording vocals, studio storage, and soundproofing.

The Blend was opened by The BenevolentFund’s retiring Chairman, Derek Harris on 8thAugust 2012 after an inspiring demonstrationof film making and music mixing by a group ofvery talented members of the OBC.

Reporting by Fiona Adler

6

That wonderful character, and Pipeman ofthe Year in 1983, Sir Patrick Moore, diedaged 89 on 9th December last year. Weremember him well as a guest of our Liveryin 1994. He was quoted in his obituary ashaving remarked that he regarded twoclasses of people as being beyond the pale;weight watchers, and those who have justgiven up smoking.

7

The Smoking Club Quarterly Drinks - December 2012The Smoking Club launched its Quarterly Drinksin December 2012. These are to be informalgatherings for our Livery Company members,and their guests, at attractive, smoker-friendlyvenues located around the City and centralLondon. They will take place on the firstThursday of each quarterin March, June,September and December.Information about thevenues, and timing, forforthcoming events will beposted to the website.

Our first event took placeat the Coq D’Argentrestaurant and bar in theheart of the City on 6thDecember. Perched on the rooftop of One Poultryit enjoys stunning views, and its terraces areavailable for smoking. Whilst the evening wasseasonally cool and, at times, a little drizzly, thisdid not dampen the enthusiasm of the party toenjoy smoking some clay pipes. These werekindly brought along to the event by JemmaFreeman of Hunters & Frankau, with tobaccosupplied by Adrian Lesley of Cigars Unlimited.

The tobacco was stored in a locked brass box (seeabove) which was opened with the insertion of an

old penny, tokens dispensed judiciously by AssistantCharles Miller. It all added up to a lot of fun.

We had a great turnout from our Livery Companyand we were also joined by members of TheSociety of Young Freemen as our guests. Theseincluded David Double, the Chairman of thegoverning Committee and a number of his fellowCommittee members. The Society is a fine andenergetic organisation for young people in theCity that enjoys the support of the Lord Mayor.

It has many events of itsown and is keen to fosterlinks with LiveryCompanies such as ours.We greatly enjoyed theircompany and hope tomeet with them again atother events.

If you would like tojoin The Smoking Clubat its next event, it will

take place at the Coq D’Argent restaurantand bar, One Poultry, London EC2 onThursday, 7th March 2013 from 6.00pm. It isan informal occasion, so you can bring guestsand join and leave the gathering when it suitsyou best.

There is no fee payable, but of course you willhave to cover your own bar bills.

Report by Assistant Roger Brookes

Assistant Roger Brookes with Laurence Nicolas and David Doubleof the Society of Young Freemen

8

8th Inter Livery ShroveTuesday Pancake Race The Worshipful Company of Poulters are famousfor organising this wonderful and very colourfulevent in Guildhall Yard and only full teams(rather than just the Master for the Masters’Race) with a direct connection to the PoultersCompany can enter. I was asked to submit a veryserious application on behalf of our Livery toprove the link (however tenuous) for theirconsideration and happily we were accepted

Led and managed by the Assistant Clerk, SimonOrlik (if he was in charge of our training, I musthave missed out on the schedule) we gathered atSt Lawrence Jewry to ‘dress’ our entrant for thenovelty race, under the watchful eye of CanonDavid Parrott whom I must thank for thetomato sauce (explanation later). The ImmediatePast Master, Julian Keevil had volunteered forthe honour of dressing up and the theme was acharity connected to the Lord Mayor’s Appeal;we chose the Trauma Unit and as the Lord Mayoris a Fletcher, you will now understand thephotograph and the tomato sauce! Sadly I hadunderestimated the quantity of bandagesrequired, hence the gaps! We all wore chefs hatspainted by the Poulters - ours were painted tolook like cigarette ends.

Our entrant for the Liverymen Race was theMistress (who also missed out on the trainingregime) and our entrant for the Ladies Race wasSue Prideaux, then Senior Warden’s wife, whostated that the recent snowfall had halted hertraining plans. I should at this point be honestand say that I was the first Lady Master to crossthe line and the Mistress was the first beardedMistress to deposit his pan and pancake………………we all finished last in our heats!Only the clearly wounded IPM managed a decenttime, finishing second despite all his bandagesand blood.

News just in is that Fourth Warden ArthurRichards represented us in the 2013 PancakeRace and not only won his heat but recorded thethird fastest time overall. The jury is still out asto whether snuff could be described as an illegalperformance enhancing substance but we thinkthis qualifies us for entry to next year’s race,when we can field a full team of four again.

Fiona Adler and her team ready for the off.

9

Livery Carol Service10th December 2012Second year atSt Lawrence JewryBowyers and Pipemakers assembled again withthe Sennocke Consort choir from Sevenoaksschool to start the Christmas season. CanonDavid Parrott led us through an excellent mix ofreadings, carols and prayers and reminded us inhis sermon how comparatively young evenancient Liveries were as against the Living God.

His wife Sue and her team of caterers entertainedus with wine, cottage pie and mince pies after theservice as the congregation mingled.

Sadly the editor’s camera failed, or maybe it washis trembling hand, but there was a definiteatmosphere of goodwill and a genuineopportunity to chat to friends. This is one of thebest dates in our calendar and should be oneveryones list…a fine church fine music, youngand old and a developing rapport with adistinguished sister Livery.

The choir was led by Toby Carden and the organplayed by Matthew Cook both of SevenoaksMusic Department. They evidently enjoyedthemselves in this superb Wren church with itsstate of the art Klais organ installed in 2000

For those interested in this German organ builderthere is a fascinating four minute video withsound if you google Klais organ.

Here are the “angels in the choir” singing “Goodmorrow Masters all” from the gallery just beforethe end of the evening. In fact the congregationincluded ten Masters: the Master Bowyer and ourMaster plus eight Past Masters of our own Livery.

As a musical footnote James McVinnie, used toplay at our Carol Services from 1998 when he wasa talented 13 year old Sevenoaks pupil, until 2001.He is now Assistant Organist at WestminsterAbbey, played at last summer’s Royal Weddingand is frequently heard on Radio 3.

The Worshipful Companyof BowyersOur guest Livery at the carols are holdingan exhibition in the Guildhall Library until28th March 2013 showcasing some of itstreasures and artefacts. Entrance is freefrom 0930 to 1700 daily except Sunday.

They trace their history back to 1363 whenthe craft of making longbows first appearedon the list of taxation for the City ofLondon. The first Bowyer to be recorded isIvo le Bowyre in 1293. During the 100 yearswar with France the longbow was at itszenith and the company flourished. Nowthey are a small but exclusive Livery where,uniquely, the Master serves for two years.

10

Company Golf Day atTandridge27th June 2012 Apart from the golf, about which not allLiverymen are equally passionate, this is usuallythe first official engagement for a new Masterwhen he has to present the prizes. It alsoprovides an excellent opportunity for the editor tohave an informal interview with the Master.

Tandridge was at its best so far as the weatherwas concerned, and a healthy turnout of keengolfers battled for the honours, under theimmaculate organisation of Past Master DerekHarris.

In the picture below the Master awards PastMaster Nigel Rich with the Charles Rich Trophy.

Proceedings were brought to a happy conclusionwith the now famous club lunch to which we satdown well after 2pm.

Cricket: Pipe MakersTrophy for under 15s atArundel1st August 2012Nearly 500 runs in one day, with the man of thematch, Charlie Neve of South London scoring115. This had the pundits scurrying for therecord books. Here is the Master and JohnBarclay presenting Charlie with a splendid newbat in honour of his achievement.

We are not sure whether he was responsible forthe dent in Past Master Roger Merton’s car but hecertainly hit a few sixes.

Grateful thanks to John Barclay and ArundelCastle Cricket Foundation for a wonderful day’scricket and splendid hospitality.

11

The AnnualBanquet at theMansion House5th November2012Pictures by kindpermission of GeraldSharpe Photography The Master bows to the Lord Mayor, Alderman David Wootton, after donning the Smoking

Cap, whilst Sir Martin Broughton KBE looks on.

Our loyal Carpet Guard from Headquarters Company, London Regiment,on parade just before the Banquet. They have been providing the guardsince 1989. Sir Martin Broughton speaks.

Two of the Master’s personal guests, Major M Scrase-Dickins CMG and theHon Mrs Alexander Russell pass the Loving Cup with the Lord Mayor in thebackground.

12

Available from the ClerkCufflinks: £15 Shield: £25 Livery tie: £20

Thursday 7th March 2013Smoking Club at Coq d’Argent,One Poultry, EC2

Friday 15th March 2013United Guilds Service at St Paul cathedral.

Tuesday 19th March 2013Election Court and lunch at Watermans’ Hall.

Thursday 2nd May 2013GSM&D Gold Medal competition at theBarbican Hall.

Tuesday 16th April 2013London Regiment Shoot and Social eveningat Battersea.

Tuesday 28th May 2013Master’s Reception - Organ tour at St Pauls.

Wednesday 5th June 2013Installation Court and lunch on boardHQS Wellington.

Thursday 13th June 2013Smoking Club.

Monday 24th June 2013Common Hall and Election of Sheriffs.Guildhall. Livery only.

Wednesday 26th June 2013Livery Golf Day at Tandridge.

Thursday 5th September 2013Smoking Club

Monday 16th September 2013Autumn Court at Glaziers Halland Court supper.

Monday 30th September 2013Common Hall Election of Lord Mayor.Guildhall. Livery only.

Wednesday 23rd October 2013Ladies Banquet at Girdlers Hall.

Saturday 9th November 2013Lord Mayor’s Show.

Wednesday 11th December 2013Carol service at St Lawrence Jewry.

Thursday 16th January 2014Court and Livery Dinner at Stationers Hall.

Wednesday 19th March 2014Election Court and lunch.Venue TBA.

ContactsMastermichael_prideaux@me.com Clerktobaccoclerk@btconnect.comEditornickhp@btconnect.com

Diary of Forthcoming Events